Dwayne Johnson’s “The Rock” Hollywood career began with mid-budget action films and family comedies, but after the success of Fast Five in 2011, his focus shifted to blockbusters and adventure comedies, showcasing his hard work, perseverance, and luck in the industry.
The Rock, a 20-year-old A-list movie star, has made memorable performances in five of the best movies with his name, showcasing his versatility in securing the release of any movie.
The Rundown
In the early 2000s, The Rock began his Hollywood career while wrestling in the WWE. His second leading role in 2003’s The Rundown remains one of his best performances, as Beck, a bounty hunter, retrieves Billy Walker’s treasure-hunter son, Travis, from a Brazilian mining town.
Upon his arrival, Beck meets the town’s leader, Cornelius Bernard Hatcher (Christopher Walken), who doesn’t take too kindly to outsiders. The odd couple of Beck and Travis must work together to escape Brazil before Hatcher hunts them down. The lasting memory of The Rundown is the innate chemistry between Johnson and Scott, which makes you wonder why a sequel never happened.
Fast Five
Since 2011, Johnson has starred as DSS Agent Luke Hobbs in the Fast & Furious franchise, with Fast Five being the best movie, and only one film from The Fast Saga will be considered.
Dom Toretto, Brian O’Connor, and Mia Toretto escape U.S. custody and flee to Rio de Janeiro to steal $100 million from drug lord Hernan Reyes. However, Hobbs, a worthy adversary, is on their tail, intending to bring Toretto down. Their vicious fight remains one of the most talked-about scenes in the series.
Gridiron Gang
Before becoming a professional wrestler, Johnson played four years of football at the University of Miami. Although his NFL dreams materialized, Johnson recaptured some of his old football magic, this time as a coach, in Gridiron Gang. Sean Porter (Johnson), a counselor at a detention center for teenage boys, decides to start a football program to instill a sense of belief, commitment, and winning into their lives.
The team initially struggles due to lack of experience, but gradually trusts Porter’s disciplinary mindset and coaching strategies. The characters’ relationships and interactions elevate the material from a sports movie to an engaging drama.
Snitch
In 2013, Johnson was a rising action hero in mid-budget thrillers like Snitch. He starred as John Matthews, owner of a construction company, whose life is ruined when his son Jason is arrested for drug possession and sentenced to 10 years in prison.
John, using his connections, agrees to go undercover for a drug operation with U.S. Attorney Joanne Keeghan (Susan Sarandon). However, his involvement with the Mexican cartel leads to a dangerous mission. Snitch, with a $25 million budget, features a talented cast including Johnson, Barry Pepper, and others.
San Andreas
The Rock, after 20 years of fighting, faces his toughest challenge in San Andreas, California, where the largest earthquake in history wreaks havoc. LAFD rescue helicopter pilot Ray Gaines saves his estranged wife Emma from a collapsed skyscraper.
Blake, the daughter of Ray and Emma, survives an earthquake in San Francisco. Fearing further earthquakes, Ray and Emma rush to rescue her, pushing them to their limits.
