Well, i’m in the group too, because i thought Hulk was pretty great, and Bana’s performance was fine.
Like others here, i think his best performance was in Chopper.
I guess that this thread’s main purpose is to demonstrate, yet again, that notions of what constitute good acting are incredibly subjective.
I thought he was OK in Hulk, but that’s a comic book, and the characters are only able to go so far before rabid fans start screaming “That’s not how the comic was!”. Plus, he was supposed to be a geeky, somewhat less than dreamy scientist type. The original Banner was really a cold fish, if I remember. All numbers and data.
I liked him in Troy. Even though we all know how the story ends, between Bana (Hector) and O’Toole (the king), I almost hoped Troy would win this time. On the other hand, Pitt’s character (Achilles) seemed to be little more than a kill crazy loony who used war as an excuse to feed his “little eccentricity”.
If you’ve seen Finding Nemo, then you’ve also heard him. He was, IIRC, the hammerhead shark in the “Nice Sharks” group (he might have been the other smaller one, but I think he was the hammerhead). This was right before The Hulk.
Apparently, he’s a very popular comedic actor in Australia, according to the commentary on Nemo. However, I can’t vouch for the truth in that, so I’ll let some of our Aussie Dopers give their opinions if they so choose! AFAIK, he’s done only serious roles here in the US, so that might be part of it.
…who is another Australian. And amazingly the only real contender is a third Australian, Hugh Jackson.
Not only Australians, but well-connected ones at that. Julian McMahon is the son of the late Sir William McMahon, a former Australian Prime Minister. Eric Bana is the son-in-law of Murray Gleeson, the current Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia.
Slight correction … that should be Hugh Jackman.
Back on topic
I wonder if Bana’s role as Chopper is more popular in Australia compared to overseas markets because most of us are aware of who Mark Brandon ‘Chopper’ Read is and his real-life history provides a backstory for the movie. I think it is hard to fully appreciate an interpretation (or impression?) of a person if you don’t know who the original character is.
I thought he was really good in Hulk and one of the few good actors in Troy.
Yeah. Eric Bana is most famous for his role in Chopper over here. Most people would have heard of Chopper Read. I wonder if johnyboy managed to track down a copy. Also should check him out in The Castle.
Bana is a very funny comedian - writing and acting in TV comedy sketches prior to acting in movies.
Just saw “Troy” last night, and I thought he did a fine job. I aslo thought he hit his role perfectly in “Black Hawk Down”.
I already thought he was a good actor, but that was him in Chopper ?
Than he is a great actor, because I really didn’t recognize him at all.
Boy. I would have started a thread asking why he doesn’t get MORE work in Hollywood!
I agree with Icarus. I left BHD thinking he stole the show.
I missed Hulk, but in Troy I was again amazed with his talent. And I must have been one of the few people who enjoyed Troy…
Just posting to add that I enjoyed Troy only for Bana’s performance. Pitt’s performance as Achilles was so unlikeable, especially after killing Hector, that I was glad when his character finally got his just desserts.
Well, perhaps he is, i’m just not convinced with his “acting”.
A friend of mine saw him in Chopper a couple of days ago, and said he wasn’t believable at all in that role, and i trust his opinion.
What I disliked about Troy was that all of the “Villains” were so unneccessary. They were over-the-top. The Greeks didn’t feel the need to make anyone involved a villain, so why should we?
Secondyl, I think Bloom actually did fairly well as Paris. He certainly came across as slightly wimpy, out of his league, and bit of a hothead, which certainly matched the Illiad.
Erk, no. IMO his “comedy” show was dreadful, not a ghost of a laugh. Just flogging ethnic and cultural stereotype, very cheap and low stuff. I hope he sticks to acting.
Wasn’t he also Balthazar the Mighty / Cole in Charmed? I think that was the only demon I ever thought was hot 
Yeah, his show sucked. But he was great on Full Frontal (or was it Fast Forward? I get them confused).
With respect to your friend, I’d (again) recommend you watch Chopper and decide for yourself.
Playing a role that people are familiar with and repulsed by is a difficult task and IMO he nails it in the opening 2 scenes.
It’s a bravura performance that answers the OP question. I don’t think he’s lived up to it in BHD, Troy or Hulk, but he’s hardly had the material.
MiM
Yeah, they also screwed him in every plotline. It was like the writers had some giant thing for beating on his character. Too bad, too, since he was by far the best character/actor on it.
Is it just me, or does Eric Bana look an awful lot like the guy who played Kevin Costner’s dad in “Field of Dreams”?