# Will Keanu Reeves be considered one of the greatest Sci. Fi. actors of all time? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 19, 2005, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-keanu-reeves-be-considered-one-of-the-greatest-sci-fi-actors-of-all-time/290921 "2005-02-19T18:52:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![RancidYakButterTeaParty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/53a042/32.png) [@RancidYakButterTeaParty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RancidYakButterTeaParty)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2005, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-keanu-reeves-be-considered-one-of-the-greatest-sci-fi-actors-of-all-time/290921/1 "2005-02-19T18:52:41Z")
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](http://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](http://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? ---
**Author:** ![Duderdude2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/cdc98d/32.png) [@Duderdude2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duderdude2)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2005, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-keanu-reeves-be-considered-one-of-the-greatest-sci-fi-actors-of-all-time/290921/2 "2005-02-19T18:59:54Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Carnac\_the\_Magnificent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Carnac\_the\_Magnificent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carnac_the_Magnificent)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2005, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-keanu-reeves-be-considered-one-of-the-greatest-sci-fi-actors-of-all-time/290921/3 "2005-02-19T19:15:34Z")
> [@RancidYakButterTeaParty](#): > > The question is, will he _one day_ be considered among the greats of Science Fiction? no. ---
**Author:** ![Flutterby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Flutterby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flutterby)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2005, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-keanu-reeves-be-considered-one-of-the-greatest-sci-fi-actors-of-all-time/290921/4 "2005-02-19T19:18:42Z")
Well like I said elsewhere, you just have to cast him right. You really see the wooden acting in Much Ado About Nothing, thankfully he only has a few lines as Don John. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2005, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-keanu-reeves-be-considered-one-of-the-greatest-sci-fi-actors-of-all-time/290921/5 "2005-02-19T19:21:50Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2005, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-keanu-reeves-be-considered-one-of-the-greatest-sci-fi-actors-of-all-time/290921/6 "2005-02-19T19:57:44Z")
Women just go gaga over him, and while he’s a good looking guy, I never quite grokked how absolutely _dreamy_ many (esp. older) women think he is. [[http://www.reevesdrive.com/newsarchive/1994/gnr9406.htm](http://www.reevesdrive.com/newsarchive/1994/gnr9406.htm)](KEANU REEVES: QUIET POWER) > [@](#): > > Ask some of his most ardent fans to explain Reeves’ appeal and there’s consensus among these otherwise-stable, mortgage-holding adults. > > “He has an interesting sexuality, an unthreatening sexuality,” observes Jeff Yarbrough, editor in chief of The Advocate, the nation’s highest-circulation gay magazine. > > “I think his appeal is that he’s … unthreatening. He’s soft-looking rather than controlling and macho,” opines Anka Radakovich, author of the widely quoted “Sex” column for Details, a magazine for men. > > Groaning that “I’m beginning to sound like a teenager,” Radakovich proceeds to cite hard facts. “Two years ago, Details put him on the cover and when the magazine immediately sold out, we did an analysis of newsstand purchases. Eighty percent were by women.” > > “He’s like a lost puppy who needs caring. … He has that warm, unthreatening quality,” says Kim France, who edits the arts-and-entertainment pages of Elle and formerly worked for Sassy, that bible for precocious teenage girls. > > “The thing about him is that he’s very, very attractive. Some don’t see it, but if you do, it’s staggering,” says France. “At Sassy, he was our perennial heartthrob, even among the more cynical teenagers.” > > It is the blankness and calm of Reeves’ beatific face, Yarbrough thinks, “that allows people to project their fantasies onto him, big-time.” > > But can he act? ---
**Author:** ![SPOOFE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@SPOOFE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SPOOFE)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2005, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-keanu-reeves-be-considered-one-of-the-greatest-sci-fi-actors-of-all-time/290921/7 "2005-02-19T20:19:14Z")
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?!?”). ---
**Author:** ![Zero\_Gravitas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7ab992/32.png) [@Zero\_Gravitas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zero_Gravitas)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2005, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-keanu-reeves-be-considered-one-of-the-greatest-sci-fi-actors-of-all-time/290921/8 "2005-02-19T20:45:55Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2005, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-keanu-reeves-be-considered-one-of-the-greatest-sci-fi-actors-of-all-time/290921/9 "2005-02-19T20:48:44Z")
I have to give the OP credit for giving me the biggest laugh of the day just from the title. Then came the bit about the “success” of the Matrix movies, which had me rolling on the floor. Good stuff. We need more parody like this now that Fenris doesn’t post that much any more. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2005, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-keanu-reeves-be-considered-one-of-the-greatest-sci-fi-actors-of-all-time/290921/10 "2005-02-19T21:01:33Z")
> [@Exapno Mapcase](#): > > I have to give the OP credit for giving me the biggest laugh of the day just from the title. > > Then came the bit about the “success” of the Matrix movies, which had me rolling on the floor. > > Good stuff. We need more parody like this now that Fenris doesn’t post that much any more. Until the last film I thought the first two Matrix’s (matrices?) did pretty well overall. Do you have different information? ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2005, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-keanu-reeves-be-considered-one-of-the-greatest-sci-fi-actors-of-all-time/290921/11 "2005-02-19T21:02:51Z")
“did pretty well (financially) overall.” ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2005, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-keanu-reeves-be-considered-one-of-the-greatest-sci-fi-actors-of-all-time/290921/12 "2005-02-19T23:01:45Z")
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. Daniel ---
**Author:** ![Meeko](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e495f1/32.png) [@Meeko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meeko)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2005, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-keanu-reeves-be-considered-one-of-the-greatest-sci-fi-actors-of-all-time/290921/13 "2005-02-19T23:27:05Z")
I assume this is in repsonse to Constatine. 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. ) ---
**Author:** ![RancidYakButterTeaParty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/53a042/32.png) [@RancidYakButterTeaParty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RancidYakButterTeaParty)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2005, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-keanu-reeves-be-considered-one-of-the-greatest-sci-fi-actors-of-all-time/290921/14 "2005-02-19T23:48:47Z")
> [@Exapno Mapcase](#): > > I have to give the OP credit for giving me the biggest laugh of the day just from the title. > > Then came the bit about the “success” of the Matrix movies, which had me rolling on the floor. > > Good stuff. We need more parody like this now that Fenris doesn’t post that much any more. I hardly think you can challenge the success of the Matrix series. [Revolutions](http://edition.cnn.com/2003/SHOWBIZ/Movies/11/13/film.boxoffice.reut/) [Reloaded](http://http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/05/15/entertainment/main554131.shtml) [Original](http://http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0133093/business) 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. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2005, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-keanu-reeves-be-considered-one-of-the-greatest-sci-fi-actors-of-all-time/290921/15 "2005-02-20T00:08:35Z")
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. And, no, Keanu Reeves is not a great actor. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2005, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-keanu-reeves-be-considered-one-of-the-greatest-sci-fi-actors-of-all-time/290921/16 "2005-02-20T00:11:02Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Scissorjack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c67d28/32.png) [@Scissorjack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scissorjack)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2005, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-keanu-reeves-be-considered-one-of-the-greatest-sci-fi-actors-of-all-time/290921/17 "2005-02-20T00:32:22Z")
Two words: **Johnny Mnemonic**. ---
**Author:** ![RancidYakButterTeaParty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/53a042/32.png) [@RancidYakButterTeaParty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RancidYakButterTeaParty)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2005, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-keanu-reeves-be-considered-one-of-the-greatest-sci-fi-actors-of-all-time/290921/18 "2005-02-20T00:41:26Z")
> [@Exapno Mapcase](#): > > 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. > > And, no, Keanu Reeves is not a great actor. 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. ---
**Author:** ![LibrarySpy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f9ae1b/32.png) [@LibrarySpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LibrarySpy)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2005, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-keanu-reeves-be-considered-one-of-the-greatest-sci-fi-actors-of-all-time/290921/19 "2005-02-20T02:49:50Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Askia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/96bed5/32.png) [@Askia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askia)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2005, 9:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-keanu-reeves-be-considered-one-of-the-greatest-sci-fi-actors-of-all-time/290921/20 "2005-02-20T09:34:58Z")
Hell, no. It’s fucking Keanu. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-keanu-reeves-be-considered-one-of-the-greatest-sci-fi-actors-of-all-time/290921.md?page=2)