20th Century Studios
Bruce Willis, a shining star in Hollywood, made it look casual to don a vest during a hostage scenario. His iconic roles often featured him squinting in the manner of Clint Eastwood and delivering a level of sass unmatched by other actors. His top three films on Rotten Tomatoes, much like Willis himself, offer a surprising mix that could be viewed as an interesting unofficial trilogy over a weekend. This includes what RT has named the cream of the crop: a movie featuring a notably annoyed NYC cop with no shoes and a liking for Roy Rogers films.
It’s hardly surprising that “Die Hard,” Willis’ breakout film and the bedrock of the action movie genre, is his highest-rated film on RT among critics. With a deserved 94% rating on the platform, “Die Hard” set a new standard that many films have tried to emulate since. Variations like “Die Hard” on a bus (“Speed”), on a battleship (“Under Siege”), and on a plane (“Air Force One”) all tried to capture the same level of thrill and solid writing of director John McTiernan’s 1988 classic. Still, the original “Die Hard” (and Willis’ John McClane) continues to tower 36 stories above the rest as one of the greatest action movies ever. It would take 24 years for another Willis project to come close to “Die Hard” in the eyes of critics, according to RT’s metrics.
Looper is Bruce Willis’ second best movie (and deservedly so)
TriStar Pictures
For almost 25 years after John McClane sent Hans Gruber flying off a roof for Christmas, Bruce Willis continued to explore other genres beyond the one that skyrocketed his career. Most notably, he starred in two distinctly different sci-fi films in the ’90s: Terry Gilliam’s “12 Monkeys” and Michael Bay’s “Armageddon.” Yet, his most acclaimed sci-fi entry, according to RT, came in 2012 when he collaborated with filmmaker Rian Johnson and actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt for “Looper” (which boasts a 93% rating on the website).
Along with Emily Blunt and Jeff Daniels, “Looper” unfolds in a future where gangsters erase their tracks by sending those they want to eliminate back in time, where a ‘Looper’ assassinates them to destroy the ‘evidence.’ Levitt plays one such hitman, faced with a complex task when his latest assignment turns out to be his future self (Willis), leading to a mind-bending narrative of time loops, children with extraordinary abilities, and Gordon-Levitt’s impressive impersonation of Willis. “Looper” continues to be one of Johnson’s finest films and one of the greatest sci-fi movies ever, largely due to Willis’ impeccable performance. Intriguingly, that same year, the actor also made an appearance in another well-received film — one dramatically different from Johnson’s narrative of time-traveling hitmen.
Bruce Willis searched for missing children in Moonrise Kingdom
Focus Features
Bruce Willis in his quirky avatar is often his best, which is why his appearance in Wes Anderson’s “Moonrise Kingdom” (which ties with “Looper” on RT with a 93% rating) was such a delight. The 2012 dramedy features the typical eccentric ensemble that the filmmaker is known for assembling, including Willis as the stoic Captain Sharp, a police officer on an island searching for a missing boy and girl embarking on an adventure, causing the adults around them to undertake an adventure of their own.
Willis’ role in “Moonrise Kingdom” added a refreshing element to his repertoire. The actor has always had comedic timing, often mixing it with either high energy (as in “Death Becomes Her”) or dry wit (which made him the perfect action hero in the “Die Hard” series and “The Last Boy Scout”). In this case, there’s a warmth to his performance that isn’t always visible in his other roles. As for its director, “Moonrise Kingdom” may not be the best Wes Anderson film (depending on who you ask), but it’s undoubtedly a valued addition to both his and Willis’ filmographies.
Credit: www.slashfilm.com
