TOP TEN WILL SMITH FILMS
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air has graced our screens, and air-waves, for almost four decades now. With a smorgasbord of block-buster hits under his belt, the most marketable actor in the world has featured in some incredible films. I maintain that The Fresh Prince of Bel-air is, and probably always will be, Smith’s best role, but we’re discussing feature films only. So, here is my top ten Will Smith feature films.
#10: Independence Day
Roland Emmerich (1996)
The name says it all, this film is as American as they come, but the red white and blue patriotism works in this over the top sci-fi. Taking the alien invasion film to explosive new heights, Independence Day is a spectacle from start to finish. Alright, so the plot isn’t the best, but I urge you to leave your disbelief at the door and settle in for an action-packed ride.
#9: I Am Legend
Francis Lawrence (2007)
Smith stole the screen in this 2007 post-zombie apocalypse action thriller, it’s a good job he did as he’s the only human on screen for an incredible portion of this film. The relationship established with his daughter’s dog, Sam, and that incredibly moving scene in the laboratory are the high points of this film adapted from Richard Matheson’s novel of the same name. However, this is not the best adaptation of the book and the ending really turns it’s back on the true message of the novel. Check out 1964’s The Last Man on Earth for a truer adaptation.
#8: I, Robot
Alex Proyas (2004)
This time playing a robot-hating cop, another action film enters our list, and this sure isn’t the last of them. Set in 2035, we have become reliant on the work of robots to make our lives easier, but Smith is having none of it has he investigates a crime potentially committed by one of our artificial intelligence friends. Some excellent introspection in to what it means to be alive is cut short to fit in the many action sequences. That doesn’t mean to say it isn’t a great watch.
#7: Bad Boys
Michael Bay (1995)
I warned you we weren’t done with our action films yet. This time out, however, our hero has a partner in crime, or in solving it. Together with Martin Lawrence, Smith must protect the witness to a murder as they investigate missing heroin from the evidence storage room in their precinct. This quick witted and often hilarious buddy cop film adds a lot to the genre. I urge you to check out Bad Boys II as well, but I’d leave it there if I were you. Let resting cops lie.
#6: Enemy of the State
Tony Scott (1998)
In the same vein as Francis Ford Coppola’s The Conversation, Smith now finds himself caught up in a world of surveillance. Our hero provides another excellent performance as he attempts to escape the grasp of corrupt government officials in Washington. Sparking a new generation to look twice at their smoke alarm, or their webcam, this action thriller will have you on the edge of your seat until the dramatic finale.
#5: Shark Tale
Bibo Bergeron, Vicky Jenson, Rob Letterman (2004)
For the first time, we’re branching out! Often shoved aside, this aquatic adventure doesn’t have the best rep, but hear me out, it’s a fun watch. One of only two animated feature films Smith has starred in, and the only one on our list, Shark Tale hits the mark as a light-hearted watch for all the family. Released just one year after Finding Nemo, it seems that DreamWorks wanted to muscle in on Pixar’s underwater success – and muscle in they did. This aquatic gangster homage works wonders and will have a smile on your face throughout.
#4: Hitch
Andy Tennant (2005)
Back to the ‘real’ world. Here, Smith, playing the titular Hitch, is a suave guru for men that can’t quite get their love lives off the ground. One of very few romantic comedy’s in Smith’s repertoire, this charming love story is a nice change of pace. Eva Mendes and Kevin James compliment the smooth-talking arrogance of Smith and with countless endearing moments of jovial frivolity, no one can walk away from this film with a frown on their face.
#3: Seven Pounds
Gabriele Muccino (2008)
Our list has reached a turning point, while the previous seven films have been excellent, these final three are on a different level. Let’s dive even deeper into Smith’s diverse acting range. We’ve dipped our toes into the sincere and even the depressing but Seven Pounds is much more earnest than the majority of our previous films. Dealing with highly upsetting subject matter, the darker sides of the human psyche come to the fore in this exploration of redemption. Smith’s performance is commendable and accompanied by the wondrous Rosario Dawson, Woody Harrelson and Barry Pepper, it will leave a dark pit in your stomach.
#2: Men in Black
Barry Sonnenfeld (1997)
For the third time on our list, Smith takes on the role of a law enforcer. Instead of facing humans or robots, for the second time, it’s aliens. Alongside the fantastically dry Tommy Lee Jones, Smith must save the planet from something it doesn’t even know is there. Action comedy at its peak, Men in Black is definitely a film to watch and watch again. Comedy runs at the heart of a well-presented story that sees Smith’s ‘Jay’ grow from an arrogant young cop to a calm and collected member of a secret organisation. I strongly urge you to also watch the two sequels, they effortlessly keep up the charm of the original.
#1: The Pursuit of Happyness
Gabriele Muccino (2006)
And so, we come to the end of our list. In my opinion, Will Smith’s best film. The Pursuit of Happyness not only gives us another Smith jaunt, but, for the first time, we have a repeat director too. Seven Pounds director Gabriele Muccino returns here. Once again, we see the more fragile side of our protagonist as he strives to provide a better life for his son. Based on the true story of Chris Gardner’s struggles as a homeless man in America, this film takes us on a roller-coaster of emotion. It is an outstanding film that should be seen and appreciated by any fan of Smith, or film for that matter. It is also interesting to note that Jaden Smith, the real-life son of Will, plays his onscreen son here.