To borrow a phrase from Will Ferrell, “Jason Momoa is so hot right now!” But what are the best Jason Momoa movies ever?
The muscle-packing superstar just turned in the performance of his life in Fast X, left quite the impression in Dune, and is about to reprise his role as Aquaman in James Wan’s long-delayed Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. Ever since his claim to fame as Khal Drogo on HBO’s Game of Thrones, the steely-eyed actor has made his presence felt on and off camera. He’s likable, and I’m hoping Hollywood does him well by offering more nuanced roles in the future. With Fast X hitting theaters, take a look at the best Jason Momoa action movies thus far.
Conan the Barbarian (2011)
Momoa as Conan the Barbarian makes so much sense, and it’s a damn shame no one bothered to show up to view his magnetic take on the character in Marcus Nispel’s 2011 remake. Granted, it’s not the best movie. It is ludicrous and incredibly graphic, but it’s also a lot of fun in a cheesy cornball way.
Momoa flaunts his stuff and looks great with a sword right at home, slicing through bad guys with his massive sword. His performance leans more toward the serious and brooding side. However, he still packs a mean punch and ably commands the screen as the legendary warrior, which is why it kicks off our list of the best Jason Momoa action movies. Maybe next time, someone will give him a smarter script.
Aquaman (2018)
James Wan’s Aquaman may not be the best DC offering. However, it’s still a colorful adventure enhanced by splashy CGI and Momoa’s rugged charm. The actor brings a refreshing and charismatic presence to the character of Arthur Curry, his muscular frame perfectly capturing Aquaman’s strength and power. The film also gives him a little emotional complexity as he grapples with his destiny as the true heir to the throne of Atlantis.
While Wan occasionally allows the crazy visuals to overpower his narrative and probably spends a little too much time on underwater sea battles, Momoa is always likable. Like a true king, he carries the superhero vehicle on his sturdy shoulders.
Fast X
Having just watched Fast X in theaters, I feel obligated to include it here on this list. It features Momoa’s best performance and stands as a kick-ass action feature. Momoa has an absolute blast hamming it up as Dante Reyes, the flamboyant, angry son of Hernan Reyes, easily the most memorable villain Dom’s crew has ever contended with. Part lunatic, part comedian, Dante enjoys torturing his victims and spends his afternoons speaking with corpses and figuring out new ways to screw up Dom’s life.
Through it all, Momoa floats like a butterfly and stings like a bee; his infectious energy casts a spell on the whole production and makes Fast and Furious feel fresh. I can’t wait to see more of this guy. Oh, and yes, the film is a wild, ambitious action extravaganza that’ll make you cheer, laugh, roll your eyes, and grit your teeth. It’s a two-hour version of that Universal Studios 3D attraction. If you can stomach the cheese, there’s much to enjoy here, which is why it’s an easy inclusion on our list of the best Jason Momoa action movies.
Dune (2021)
I love Dune. It’s a science fiction masterpiece. A towering cinematic achievement of the highest order. Its only flaw is that it lacks an ending and just sort of concludes. Obviously, the story continues in Dune 2. Still, after nearly three hours of heavy exposition, you expect some sort of explosive payoff. Regardless, everything before is epic. From the spectacular production design to the incredible special effects, terrific acting, and exciting action, Dune delivers the goods. Momoa is on hand as Duncan Idaho, the adventure-seeking pal of Paul Atreides.
Once again, the actor nearly steals the show with his effortless charm. Duncan is one of those guys who walks into a room and immediately grabs everyone’s attention. He’s fearless, cunning, brave, and skilled in the art of, well, everything. Momoa’s role is limited and exits too early for my taste. No matter, during his brief screentime, Momoa kicks ass and proves why he belongs in more blockbusters.
Zack Snyder’s Justice League (2021)
Zack Snyder’s Justice League stands as my favorite Jason Momoa action flick. I adore this four-hour superhero epic, a rich blend of drama, emotion, and incredible action. There aren’t many comic book flicks that equal Snyder’s colossal scope or beautifully crafted visuals.
Momoa returns as Aquaman, although his performance here is more grounded and brazen. He’s a bitter outsider struggling with his purpose in life and reeling from past mistakes. He can toss a mean trident when called upon, but the character is also broken and searching for meaning. Luckily, he joins Batman, Superman, Flash, Wonder Woman, and Cyborg to take on Steppenwolf, a fierce villain who plans to conquer the world in the name of Darkseid. The results are spectacular and why it lands on our list of the best Jason Momoa action movies.
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