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Johnny Depp - what happened?
necromancer20
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His latest film 'Transcendence' is getting a kicking by critics (and specifically Depp's performance). I was hoping this would be a return to form for Depp who hasn't made a string of decent movies in years now. It certainly helped that he was playing the most (relatively) normal character in ages.
At one time he was regarded as one of the best actors of his generation. He certainly was one of my favourite actors. I think it's as far back as 2007 since we saw a really good Johnny Depp performance. He's now become a parody of himself with endless Pirates sequels and constantly trying to outdo himself with the next zany character. Transcendence was meant to be something fresh and even that now looks like a dud
At one time he was regarded as one of the best actors of his generation. He certainly was one of my favourite actors. I think it's as far back as 2007 since we saw a really good Johnny Depp performance. He's now become a parody of himself with endless Pirates sequels and constantly trying to outdo himself with the next zany character. Transcendence was meant to be something fresh and even that now looks like a dud
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You can say that again! He is hands down one of THE most over-rated actors on the planet. I rarely go and see his films. I think he's a shit actor. The last JD film i saw was Dark Shadows which i quite liked but had nothing to do with Depp's performance and before that was Public Enemies because it was a Michael Mann film. I don't see his appeal whatsoever. If it wasn't for POTC he would still be trying to make a name for himself.
Has anyone see the trailer for Transcendence? Didn't get me excited at all despite the acting talent on board. It looks like beyond awful!
I think he's a very talented actor who's just become lazy. It's BECAUSE of POTC that he's not trying anymore. The first one was a surprise hit and he was truly great in it. The second one was a decent flow-up and I was still on the Jack Sparrow bandwagon. By the third film he started to lose me and the 4th, well I gave up. And we still have a 5th one!
He is very talented, I mean just look at his work in Ed Wood, Edward Scissorhands, Finding Neverland, Sweeney Todd, Sleepy Hollow, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas and The Libertine. I have to admit though I didn't particularly like The Libertine but I thought he was great. It was a Depp who was trying to take risks.
Check out his performances in Ed Wood and Fear and Loathing In Las Vegas. He is (or at least was) a good actor. He's done interesting work other than his two signature performances (Jack Sparrow and ES). It feels like such a long time ago
Yep, I agree totally. I love the first Pirates film and actually enjoy the first two sequels, too. But it clearly marked an end for Depp as the actor he was once regarded as. Once he was an actor who didn't do sequels. Now he's doing more Pirates films, regardless of how far they've sunk as a franchise.
Its a shame really, because he was always such a winner in his performances. But I can't blame him too much. He's a human being, after all and if he's had enough of pushing his limits and just wants a good paycheque, then who are we to blame him? I'd take the good paycheque, too! He still seems like a top bloke, too.
He was a film star long before the Pirates films came along.
But I agree with the comments that perhaps the Pirates films have made him complacent.
I didn't like Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas at all. I watched it again a few years after its release and still didn't like it. It's one of those films need to be remade.
As an actor, he has no personality (maybe it's the wrong word, but right now I can't think of the one that fits best). He tends to mirror his major cast-mate, so the calibre of his performance usually depends on who he's acting with. When the opposite actor is good, he performs good. When bad, he's either lazy or equally bad. When intense, he'll be intense as well. One may say he's a little too empathetic in this respect.
He also tends to go through a phase of mimicking the mannerisms and style of a person he admires for a role. Val Kilmer was his first 'hero', so Kilmer's mannerisms and style show up in Depp's early performances. Off my head: he did James Dean, Paul Scofield, Cary Grant, Christopher Walken, Al Pacino, Warren Beatty, Peter O'Toole, Robert Mitchum and Jason Robards (he was Robards in The Ninth Gate).
Yeah, he's more interesting as a film star but overall, I rarely make an effort to see a Depp film. I'd kill to have his too-awesome-to-be-real cheekbones, though.
In the US these films have run its course box office wise (critically it was over by the third film) and maybe also here in the UK too. The POTC films have done well overseas, particularly in Asia so it's guaranteed that Depp will walk away with a huge cheque. Though in interviews he does seem particularly passionate abut playing Jack.
I know some people have a view that Depp is a bland actor when not in makeup or when not playing an eccentric character. I haven't noticed this 'mimicking' tic that you mention though. He is capable of giving really good performances within the bounds of a 'normal' character. Finding Neverland was a really good performance (which I forgot to mention in my OP)
Regards
Mark
Also, although a much smaller part, he was very good in Chocolat, too.
But in other roles where he's not playing a charicature part, I've found him a lot less convincing.
In Public Enemies for instance, I thought Christian Bale completely out performed him.
In fairness to Depp, though, the way he played Captain Jack in the first PoC Movie was brave and inspired; it's just that since then he seems to have brought that eccentricity to so many of his roles.
in Chocolat where he apparently did nothing but did exactly what the part required.
Of course he has done plenty of films I didn't like, and a few weak ones. Once ha had made a bit of money he quite deliberately ensured that he did not become a heart throb/'popular' star.
on here I've read will smith isn't a good actor, julia roberts is overrated, reese witherspoon is overrated, cameron diaz is rubbish....so who in the acting scene is any good?
im not sure if people are just trolling on here or just bitter?
There is a version with Bill Murray called Where the Buffalo Roam, that is better than the Depp/Gilliam film.
It became obvious when he stopped challenging himself and just kept working with Burton over and over and over again. He has done some pretty abysmal stuff as well in the past. For every Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas or What's Eating Gilbert Grape there is a Secret Window or The Astronaut's Wife.
Or is it because not everyone shares the same opinion?
It's interesting to see how someone like Matthew Maconaughey has improved with acting choices as he has gotten older and now an oscar winning actor, while someone like Johnny depp who was always a firm fav with critics, award circuits and a variety of films choices has seen a fall from grace.
No just read some threads
all negative
jealousy kills
Regards
Mark