Let me preface the entire discussion by saying that: 1.) I am not a Keanu fan by any means, and 2.) I don’t consider myself to be a hardcore Sci.Fi. fan. With that being said, it seems that with his new movie Constantine, and the extreme success of the Matrix series ( Which I did think he was perfect for), that he would have to be considered one of the most successful Sci.Fi actors around.
I realize that he can’t be put into the same category as a Bela Lugosi, or maybe even Vincent Price. The question is, will he one day be considered among the greats of Science Fiction?
I don’t know if he’ll be considered a great, but I do think the amount of negativity about his acting is well overblown.
In fact, up to a few years ago, I hadn’t heard of this Keanu Reeves stereotype and was completely oblivious to his wooden acting, despite seeing numerous films starring him. Sure he may not be the best actor, but I feel he generally fits the roles he plays well.
He’s got to start making science fiction movies that are actually good, first. So far he’s got, what? Bill and Ted and one Matrix movie? Guy’s got to step up if he wants to be the greatest.
I agree with the OP about his acting. He’s hardly great, and he’s pretty inconsistent (especially in The Devil’s Advocate), but his performances are usually tolerable for me. It’s an “A for Effort” kind of deal… I just KNOW that widdle Keanu is trying his darnedest!
I doubt he’ll be held up as one of the greatest Scifi actors of all time, if only because scifi movies have been a pretty small part of a rather large career. He’s still heavily known by his appearance in Speed, for cryin’ out loud (“What are you gonna do, hotshot?!?”).
I’d say he should have more of a reputation as a fantasy actor. Going over the movies he’s been in, I’d only classify the first Bill and Ted movie, the Matrix movies, the HORRIBLE Johnny Mnemonic, and MAYBE Chain Reaction as science fiction - yes, if you’re going to classify The Matrix as SF (even if it is very bad and poorly thought out SF), you have to include the first Bill and Ted as SF. I’m not so sure about the second one, which has far more of a fantastical element.
On the other hand, he’s done a lot of fantasy - Bill & Teds Bogus Journey, Babes in Toyland, Freaked, Dracula, The Gift, The Devils Advocate, Constantine, and possibly others I know nothing about have strong fantasy elements in them.
Keanu is a terrible actor, and I came to that conclusion all by my lonesome. It was Johnny Mnemonic that did it for me-- I didn’t even need Francis Ford Coppola’s Dracula to convince me. He’s just horrid.
So no, I don’t think he’ll be considered one of the all-time greats. Ron Perlman will.
I saw the previews, and instantly thought “Wow, Keanu is now typecasted!”
You can not deny what the Matrix (all 3 of them) has done for his Career. (If not just his checkbook). Was I the only one surprised to learn he was the same kid in bill and ted? :smack:
Frankly, I think Keanu will never top “Neo”. He is on his way out. Take this in comparison to Shia La Beuf (who seems to be on the up and up). This seems to be the passing of the torch of acting.
I guess Matrix is more Cyberpunk than Sci-fi. But this is from the public who lumps Magic The Gathering with D&D, with out a second thought. Just like they might lump Looney Tunes with Akira with out second thought. For most people Matrix is, was and always will be Sci-fi. They don’t want to complicate things they barely understand with details.
Take Keanu out of ““The Matrix”” -But Leave ‘Neo’ in (Jim Carrey and his capcity in Eternal Sunshine and The Majestic could substitute here, at the very least)
You will see that Matrix (1 or all 3) remains a better “sci-fi” movie than most, but Keanu has more or less the same number of critics.
In short I think no. Then again I think the day of John Wayne is over. Actors (Try) to keep their options open. By way of example look at Robin Williams (Dead Poet’s…Insomnia…One Hour Photo) and Jim Carrey (The Majestic…Eternal Sunshine…Truman show I guess to a lesser extent. )
As I said in the OP, I have no real background as a Sci. Fi. fan. I was asking this question in all seriousness so that true Sci. Fi. fans could give their input.
Weird. I thought from your post you might be talking about quality or something. Or do you think Constantine is going to make the really big bucks?
The Star Wars movies way outgross the Matrix. Does that put Hayden Christopher among the greatest “Sci. Fi. actors”? Does it make any sense whatsoever to talk about Vincent Price and Bela Lugosi and then make box office success your criterion when any hit movie today probably outgrosses their entire careers. (And perhaps in two senses of the word.)
Are you talking about acting or box office? Pick a side and stick with it.
There’s a rather big difference between “being a good actor” and “being in a successful movie”.
Admittedly, the Hollywood Executives don’t seem to know the difference, but that doesn’t mean it’s not so.
Keanu is lucky enough to have chosen several movies with good SF premises that have been quite successful, but apart from Bill and Ted, his roles could’ve been played by almost anyone, and the movies may have been even more popular if they had been.
No need to get your tights in a twist Exapno, I probably should have been more specific with the OP. What I am basically saying is that Keanu has been in quite a few Sci. Fi. films now. The Matrix was extremely successful, which obviously gives him greater exposure. I do think, as I said in the OP, that he was a perfect fit for the Matrix role. I also said that I am no Keanu Reeves fan. I’m not lobbying for him, merely posing a question about him.
Let me restate: I am trying to get the opinion of Sci. Fi. fans. I have no idea how these fans feel about Keanu and his acting in the Sci. Fi. films he has appeared in. I am not a hardcore Sci. Fi. fan, nor do I really know any in my immediate circle of friends. I figured if I wanted to get someone else’s viewpoint, then this was the place to ask. I don’t want to know if you think he is a good actor in general, but rather do you think he will be considered a great sci. fi. actor.
I believe in the OP that I stated that he Can’t be compared to Bela or Vincent, so comparing the box office figures wouldn’t matter to the discussion since I have already granted that he can’t be held in this same category. You are the one who questioned the success of the Matrix. I can only assume you did so because you misunderstood why I mentioned this success.
I do thank you for your vote of “no” in concordance with your opinion of his general acting abilites, and will assume that this means you do not consider him to be a good fit in science fiction roles either.
I’m a sci-fi fan, and I rather like Keanu, but I’d say Keanu’s more of a blockbuster/action star. I associate sci-fi-ness with character actors in signature roles–Vin Diesel in Pitch Black, or Patrick Stewart as Captain Picard, or even Laurence Fishburne as Morpheus.
Keanu Reeves just doesn’t stop being Keanu Reeves long enough to be a great sci-fi symbol. I’d say Harrison Ford as Han Solo has made a bigger contribution than Mark Hammill as Luke Skywalker for the same reason. Do we remember Sigourney Weaver as Ripley or Tom Skeritt? The lead is generic.