This underrated Dwayne Johnson $179 million movie is what The Rock’s career needs more of

It’s not hard to argue with the success and career trajectory that Dwayne Johnson has created for himself, but his box office success 14 years ago suggests that his career could be improved with a slight change of direction. From a professional wrestler turned bona fide Hollywood action star, Johnson has worked tirelessly to become a global entertainment icon. Along the way, the performer has made calculated decisions about his image and the direction he wants to take, and it has certainly paid off.

Now that Johnson has established himself in the industry, it’s time to take some more risks. He’s proven time and time again that he’s capable of leading the charge in almost any genre he chooses. But with his Disney deal and high-profile releases on the way, including the Christmas action movie Red One and the sports drama Smashing Machine, Johnson is likely to return to some of his previous dabbles in genres that have wowed audiences and shown him to be more than just a buff action star.

The Other Guys is one of Dwayne Johnson’s funniest performances

It was the perfect role for his career at that time.

After proving himself competent in leading action films like The Scorpion King and Walking Tall early in his career, Johnson began to try out different styles and experiment. Similarly, like Arnold Schwarzenegger, who switched from macho action roles to comedy mid-career, Johnson took a riskier turn that went against his usual type. In the late 2000s, he tried his hand at more family-friendly action comedies like The Game Plan, Tooth Fairy, and Race to Witch Mountain. These films showed Hollywood that Johnson had the range and charisma to take on unconventional roles.

But it was in 2010’s Adam McKay buddy cop comedy The Other Guys that Johnson found the perfect intersection of these genres. And it was exactly the kind of departure from the norm that Johnson’s career needed at the time. Though Johnson’s role didn’t last long, it was arguably one of his funniest performances and features some of the most amusing and perfectly conceived scenes in recent action-comedy memory. This small supporting role once again showcased the actor’s range of talent, proving that he could excel in comedic roles while still utilizing his action star persona.

It would be great if Dwayne Johnson could take on more comedy and supporting roles.

His star power could really elevate a smaller film.

It seems unlikely that Johnson will return to a great comedic supporting role like The Other Guys. Given the actor’s current filmography and his ties to Disney, such roles are likely a thing of the past. It’s a shame because that performance really made an impact on audiences. It showed that he could break away from the movie star mold and not take himself too seriously.

With fame comes great responsibility. Having proven his worth in Hollywood, Johnson now has the opportunity to turn his attention to lower-budget films. That’s the benefit of playing a fun role like The Other Guys. He can use his stardom to boost his popularity with smaller roles in noteworthy productions. Hopefully, Dwayne Johnson can find a way to make a comeback, cementing his status as a true icon without relying too much on run-of-the-mill action blockbusters.

Other people

The Other Guys, directed by Adam McKay, stars Will Ferrell as forensic accountant Allen Gamble and Mark Wahlberg as detective Terry Hoitz in this action-comedy film. The two NYPD officers are sent to investigate a simple permit violation but soon encounter a deep conspiracy and a thriving criminal enterprise. With two of the department’s best detectives now gone, these unlikely partners will become the key players in foiling a criminal plot.

release date August 5, 2010

runtime 107 min

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