MovieChat Forums > Dwayne Johnson Discussion > Does he deliberately pick the worst acti...

Does he deliberately pick the worst action scripts he can find?

posted 5 years ago by Otter (24464)
17 replies | jump to latest

Okay, I put on "Rampage" because I was in the mood for a standard Dwayne Johnson Film, and I assumed it'd be an action movie with a little deadpan humor and an absolutely ridiculous plot. It exceeded my expectations by being even sillier than "San Andreas", this one was actually laugh-out-loud funny in places!

He can't think these goofy scripts are good. He's got to be deliberately building a brand of the guy who makes the hilariously bad action films.

[–] [deleted] 5 years ago

What's weird is that he demonstrated early on in his career that he can do more serious roles.
None of them were Oscar-calibre performances to be sure, but at least they showed he had something beyond comedy, dumb action or dumb action with comedy in his quiver.

[–] earl237 (1106) 5 years ago

I think he's just taking anything he can get to cash in before fans get tired of him, not there's anything wrong with that.

[–] howgamer (3644) 5 years ago

I'm sure he knows what type of movies these are and he seems to be fine with racking in the $$$$ for now. He may transition to other types of films as he gets older if he is able to. I really enjoy his sense of humor even though some of his movies are crap.

[–] TandyMan (10358) 5 years ago

Sometimes I think Rock is just an ego-mad genius. By picking horrible scripts, it becomes the Rock Show. It's all about him. He's never overshadowed by the story. You never forget you're watching a Rock movie.

Dumb action movies also do very well in foreign markets. There's no complex story to get lost in translation.

I love San Andreas but that's my silly line in the sand. Rampage was way over that line. So was that tower movie he made.

[–] Heisenberg (6311) 5 years ago

I know, it's such a shame, he should have been the new Arnie, he is definitely not.
He comes off as a buffoon, I guess he's happy that way.

Or maybe he wants to do something post modern, like being in outrageous movies because proper ones have already been made in the past, it's so 1980/90: now it's time for crap!

[–] Otter (24464) 5 years ago

Actually, he's more fun than Arnie ever was, so I presume he's happy with his career path.

I mean the guy started in pro wrestling, which is not a career for those who aspire to be taken seriously.

[–] Heisenberg (6311) 5 years ago

He is funnier than Arnie, but his movies are crap, his characters are unimportant, and he's never gonna be half the icon Arnie is in movie history.

With all the money The Rock has, I would think he cares more about status and recognition than $$$.

[–] Otter (24464) 5 years ago

If Johnson is out to make money and have a bit of fun, then job well done, dude!

It's true he doesn't have any iconic roles under his belt, but then, he doesn't seem on track to repeat Schwarzenegger's mistake of taking himself too seriously. Or is he?

[–] Heisenberg (6311) 5 years ago

I'm not sure I follow you when you say that Arnie took himself too seriously.
He tried hard to be a comedy actor too, and he half succeded. He did movies like last action hero with lots of irony in it, even true lies and T3. What do you mean?

Hey I like the Rock, I wish he was better and his movies something I can want to watch, that's all.

[–] Jamfo (408) 5 years ago

Let’s not forget “Kindergarten Cop” and “Twins”, which really showed Arnold’s ability to step outside the total action hero role. And then there was “Jingle All the Way”...

Johnson has done some more comedic, riskier roles in the past, as well. His role as the gay actor/cowboy wannabe Elliot Willhelm in “Be Cool” was funny and risky for an up-and-comer. I’ve always like how he is not afraid to play against the muscle-man stereotype and is comfortable being the butt of the joke.

[–] VIDEOSTOREVANDAL (313) 5 years ago

CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE IS MY FAVORITE ROCK FLICK...HE IS HILARIOUS PLAYING OFF HART.

[–] Heisenberg (6311) 5 years ago

I agree he is fine being the butt of the joke and poke fun at his muscles.

I think we are getting somewhere: he does NOT want to be the new action hero. He is doing everything to be just part of the team, kinda playing himself down, low profile. If you look at his filmography, more often than not he's part of an ensemble cast where he's one of the stars supporting the team effort.

I mean, maybe he is insecure, but it seems like he doesn't want the spotlight on himself, like Arnie or Stallone or Willis etc. In rampage, for instance, the star is the ape and the wolf etc. The Rock is there too, to support. Fast & Furious, Jumanjy etc...

He is famous for joining in sequels, like he cannot start on his own an effort. To me he would, and should, give himself more credit and cut the bs: he's our new action star, start acting like one (enough team efforts and sequels with no balls: start something real).

[–] TreeShaman (806) 5 years ago

His acting performances have somehow turned out to be even worse than his wrestling performances.

[–] looper007 (1126) 5 years ago

He's a guy who picks scripts for how much money they make in the box office then the quality of film imo. He's not into the art of cinema rather making the big box office takings. Even his worst action films make money and people still flock to see them. I'd like to see him start doing his own Predator, Commando, Die hard adult action films instead of action films for kids, not one of his films will be looked on fondly like Arnie's action output is. It's a shame as he is talented and charismatic but it's all about the green for him.

[–] BurningSun (717) 4 years ago

I think Johnson once alluded to the goal that he wanted to be this generation’s Arnold Schwarzenegger. Of course by forcing that image onto the mainstream public means turning down better scripts in favor for worse scripts that have potential to make more money. He seems nice but clearly he wants the image over prestige.

[–] Kowalski (57852) 4 years ago

HE MAKES BIG BUDGET ACTION FLICKS WITH A SENSE OF A HUMOR..AS A KID WHO GREW UP LOVING ALL THE 80S ACTION GREATS AND THEIR FLICKS...I ENJOY ALL JOHNSON'S MOVIES...SOME ARE BETTER FILMS THAN OTHERS BUT I ENJOY THEM ALL.