The Best and Worst of Will Smith

The "Best and Worst" series profiles the best and worst work of an actor starring in one of the week's new theatrical releases. This week I take a look at the filmography of "Suicide Squad" star Will Smith.

Film starring Will Smith that I've seen:
Bad Boys
Independence Day 
Men in Black
Wild Wild West
The Legend of Bagger Vance
Men in Black 2
Bad Boys II
I, Robot
Shark Tale
The Pursuit of Happyness
I Am Legend
Hancock
Seven Pounds
Men in Black 3
After Earth
Focus
Concussion

Best Performance: Concussion (2015)
As much as I like Smith, his career has primarily been dedicated to roles in blockbuster sci-fi/action films that were driven more by charisma then his acting chops. That being said, Smith is a completely capable dramatic actor when called upon and his stunning performance as Dr. Bennet Omalu-a Nigerian-born pathologist that discovered the link between CTE and football while performing autopsy's on retired NFL players- in last year's docudrama Concussion is the clear standout of his forays into the world of dramatic acting. Smith beautifully captures the strong will, kind heart and resiliency Omalu displayed as he clashed with the NFL over the validity of his findings and the sense of relief that came over him when they finally acknowledged the concussion issue and chose to educate their current and former players on the effects of CTE. It's a shame that this captivating, understated and moving performance didn't get the recognition it deserved from any of the major film award shows outside of the Golden Globes.     

Worst Performance: The Legend of Bagger Vance (2000)
The Legend of Bagger Vance was led by three great actors (Smith, Matt Damon and Charlize Theron) and not one of them escape this corny disaster of a film unscathed. Smith plays the role of the mysterious, possibly divine titular caddy who helps a once-great golfer (Damon) whose life has been ruined by booze and depression regain his love of the game and life itself. The role of Bagger Vance in the story is every bit as sappy and dumb as it sounds and as hard as Smith tries to inject the character with his trademark likability, there's nothing he could possibly do to prevent this performance (and the film in general) from being an overly sentimental mess.

Best Film: Men in Black (1997)
Smith's early filmography is loaded with entertaining and amusing films (both Bad Boys movies, Independence Day) that have stood the test of time. Out of the all films from this portion of Smith's career, Men in Black is without question the best. Men in Black coasted off of a unique premise, a sharp sense of humor and the surprisingly spectacular lead pairing of the energetic, wisecracking Smith and the droll, often miserable Tommy Lee Jones. With the exception of Jurassic Park and Terminator 2: Judgement Day, I don't think the '90s produced a blockbuster that's as fun and rewatchable as this.   

Worst Film: Shark Tale (2004)
It's been just about 12 years since Shark Tale was released and I'm still baffled as to how the filmmakers were able to get so many big-name actors to commit to this project. Did Dreamworks have serious dirt on Smith, Angelina Jolie, Jack Black, Robert De Niro and the rest of the cast? Did their agents lie to them about the true nature/quality of the project? Was the casting director the best sweet talker in Hollywood? Regardless of how it came to be, it's astonishing that so many talented actors agreed to star in such a poorly-animated, unfunny and mean-spirited film.   

Thank you for reading this week's installment of "The Best and Worst of". Next week, I'll take a look at the best and worst work of "Sausage Party" star James Franco.