A Star is Born 08.18.09: Morgan Freeman

Posted by Dan Baltrusis on 08.18.2009

He may not be the most sought after black male in a lead role, but he may be the best.

People love their actors. I will pretty much see anything that Jason Lee, Christian Bale, and Denzel Washington star in. I may not like everything everyone of these actors has put out, but I will definitely give it a chance. Then there is Morgan Freeman. I don't know what it is about him I like so much, but I definitely can't find a reason to hate the guy. He seems to be the forgotten star in most of his movies. Hell, if you watch most of his movies, he isn't really the leading role because it always seems like the script is made for the other actor. The odd thing is, if he wasn't taking part in a particular movie, it seems like it would then be flawed. His emotions seem to never change and he is very consistent with every role he plays. He has played the role of the bad guy in a couple of films, but you never can picture him playing that part because you always want to root for the man. Denzel Washington was the man in the late 80's early 90's. Mr. Samuel L. Jackson was the man in the mid 90's to early 2000, and now Will Smith has taken over as the man to beat. Out of the top 4 black males in a lead role, Morgan Freeman is pretty much the odd man out. 4 out of 4, that is a disgrace if you ask me. The other men definitely deserve their day in the sun, but why does it seem like Hollywood never wanted to give Mr. Freeman his time to shine as well. Has anyone seen the last couple films that Will Smith has put out: Seven Pounds, Hancock, I Am Legend, nothing really to brag about. It always seems like he is destined to be the next Denzel Washington, but why can't he be the next Morgan Freeman.

If I actually had the time and patience to do a side by side comparison on all four of these actors, then I believe I would waste away one whole day because it would probably take too long to do that. Now I hope that when people read this article, they don't really think I'm leaving out any other actors. Because if anybody really thinks that I should throw out a Martin Lawrence or Eddie Murphy or anybody else for that matter, then you should probably stop reading this right now because I'm looking for an actor, not somebody who will make me laugh. Like I said in the beginning, I probably won't like everything that all actors will do so there definitely will be some flaws in the movie choices made by Morgan Freeman.

Glory 1989
This movie was shown to me in my eighth grade class and if people haven't seen this film then you are missing out on a fantastic movie. Three of my favorite actors star in it: Matthew Broderick, Denzel Washington and Morgan Freeman. The Civil War's first all black army led by a white Colonel and this movie didn't disappoint. Great acting and a great ending for this wonderful film, but Denzel stole the show and he won an oscar that year for Best Supporting Actor.

Kiss the Girls 1997
Morgan Freeman's first film as Alex Cross and this movie was great. I will admit I saw Along Came a Spider before this film so I wasn't too sure if I was going to like it, but it was a fun thriller. I haven't read anything by James Patterson but it seems like he needs to add a twist to his endings in every story, but I was completely surprised at how this one ended. If you want to have a fun night while stuck inside, then you should definitely watch this film.

Dreamcatcher 2003
I am one who loves comparing a book made into a movie and when this film came out, I just finished reading the book. After the fist 30 minutes, this movie turned into shit! The ending was terrible, Morgan Freeman playing a really mean and ill-tempered Colonel was not believable ( I couldn't believe when I saw the trailer that he was in the movie because I had no idea who he could play, and when I saw who he was I was shocked). A big disappointment from Morgan Freeman.




Batman Begins 2005 ***

I know when people see this movie on the list they are going to wonder why in the hell am I putting this as one of his films because he doesn't have that large of a role. Some actors just know when to be a part of something great. I don't care what anybody says but I think Lucius Fox was the most important character to Bruce Wayne, and that this whole entire reboot of Batman done by Christopher Nolan would be pointless without him. Liam Neeson completely stole the show and if you continue reading you'll see what I mean when it seems like everybody else gets the best part of the script. When you have a solid story and a bunch of actors who can actually "act" (except for Katie Holmes) then you will definitely put out a quality film. If you are smart like Morgan Freeman you don't pass up on a movie even though your role is very limited, when you know that this is going to be a great movie. When I saw this movie I was completely blown away and if future film makers want to learn how to reboot a franchise (Friday the 13th, Halloween), learn from Christopher Nolan This should really have received *** 1/2.




Wanted 2008 **

This movie could have been great. Too many problems exist in this film. Originality is the main problem I have here because this tries to hard too be like The Matrix. The special effects were great in all but I seen hundreds of different versions of this same type of movie before. Angelina Jolie plays such a great bad-ass in most of her films that she is very believable in her role. James McAvoy was a terrible casting choice because a little thin nerdy guy could not pull off what he did. Tobey Maguire was perfectly cast as Spiderman because well, Tobey Maguire seems to be like a nerd. McAvoy just didn't have it for me. He is supposed to be this bad-ass, but seriously, if any of you would see him walk down the street, would you really be afraid of him. Another problem I have is Morgan Freeman. This is not your role sir, you should not portray a bad guy. Denzel Washington or Robert DeNiro are the only guys I believe can play a sinister mad man. You just don't have it in you to make these types of films and that is why I really hated this movie. And that is only for the effects.




Shawshank Redemption 1994 ***

When a movie is nominated for 7 Oscars there should be nothing wrong with it right? The only thing I can find wrong with this movie, is that Tim Robbins wasn't nominated as well. He stole the show right under Morgan Freeman's feet. Morgan Freeman was nominated for best leading role, and rightfully so because he was fantastic, but once again it seems like the other top-billed actor gets the better part. You can see and feel the pain, anguish and subtle glimmer of hope portrayed through Tim Robbins character and I couldn't believe he wasn't up for best supporting actor. Morgan Freeman played the prisoner who's been their for a while ( like it's his home) kind of guy. He's a likeable character but it seems like he could have won best actor if they gave him more to do. There really is nothing wrong with this movie and how often can you say that for a Stephen King film. If you think about it there is only a handful of movies that has ever been made by him that you would consider good. I don't believe two hands are required. Unbelievable film that should have received ****




Along Came a Spider 2001 **

Once again, Morgan Freeman portrays the character Alex Cross. I know he didn't want to do this film and he definitely should have listened to his gut feeling because this was not even close to how good Kiss the Girls was. Casting in a film can either make or break a movie. I've seen thousands of movies and I know I'm not an expert about what I have to say, but I'm trying to save "you" the public from watching a terrible movie. Monica Potter is a talentless waste of time. Do you ever wonder why you don't see her starring in many movies? It's because she can't act. I knew what was going to happen once this film started because when you have people who can't act, they tend to give things away. Morgan Freeman was great once again but I just didn't care what happened next. I knew there had to be a plot twist involved because the movie kind of had that feel to it. Luckily this is one of those films that nobody could steal the show from Morgan Freeman because he was the only good actor in it. I don't recommend watching it but it does have some thrills and a twist and if you guys like that kind of movie then give it a shot. I won't rate it more than *1/2




Seven 1995 ***

It's funny that this isn't really considered a horror movie because it is really creepy. A lot of messed up murders based on the seven deadly sins. Whoever thought up of this type of stuff has a lot of time on their hands but all in all, I love this movie. For the first time, I believe Morgan Freeman stole the show from both Brad Pitt and Kevin Spacey. Sometimes Brad Pitt was annoying in the film for his over-the-top acting, but I was able to get by that because Morgan Freeman was there like a pillar able to hold him up. Don't get me wrong, Kevin Spacey was awesome as the crazy killer, but this movie would not be the same if Morgan Freeman was taken out of the equation. I'm the kind of guy who likes to see how a person is going to die in a movie, that is why I love horror movies and even though most of the characters were already dead in this film it was still cool to hear how they died. My wife thinks I'm sick because of that reason but I don't care. I love originality in a movie and this film has it. ****

I really hope people appreciate certain actors that get unnoticed. It's not like Morgan Freeman is considered a nobody, but I do think he doesn't get enough credit and prominent roles then he should.

Hopefully you enjoyed my article this week, and until next time

Baltrusis, out!