The Rock, also known as Dwayne Johnson, needs major career intervention. Few actors working today are wasting their talent as much as the former professional wrestler, once considered an heir to action stars like Arnold Schwarzenegger.
In Johnson’s defense, his movies perform well. Race to Witch Mountain just opened number one at the box office, taking in about $25 million over the weekend.
In September 2007, The Game Plan also opened at number one. Before that, Gridiron Gang took the top spot its first weekend.
So Funny as a Saturday Night Live Host
Clearly he is a potent draw in certain types of movies. However, while there is nothing wrong with someone carving out a niche and making a living, Johnson has talent to spare and is not utilizing it. Not by a long shot.
As anyone who has seen him host Saturday Night Live can attest to, Johnson is a natural in front of the camera and has charisma to spare. He is game for just about anything and seems totally fearless. Not only that, he is incredibly funny.
Johnson’s film career got off to a strong start. 2003’s The Rundown is a perfect vehicle for his particular gifts. While hardly an Oscar winner, it is a shamelessly entertaining ride. As modern action flicks go, it is vastly superior to most.
Unfortunately, since then it has been one disappointment after another.
Walking Tall is an uninspired, pedestrian remake. His supporting roles in Be Cool and Doom, pretty awful movies, leave a lot to be desired. The aforementioned Gridiron Gang and The Game Plan are OK for what they are but offer little opportunity for Johnson to demonstrate his effortless charm and easygoing amiability.
Judd Apatow Should Cast Him
In Get Smart, another supporting role, Johnson pokes a little fun at his macho image, but the results are lackluster (much like the movie itself).
At this point, The Rundown seems like a lifetime ago.
Johnson may be perfectly happy making disposable family entertainment. It is just that he is capable of so much more. His roles have become tedious and he should step a little bit outside of his comfort zone.
How about a role in an Apatow movie (or one of Apatow’s many minions) to fully demonstrate his comedic chops? Or the next time his Rundown director Peter Berg does something more serious, like his 2007 film The Kingdom, maybe there is a juicy role in it that is perfect for Johnson.
Many people who had never seen him wrestle were shocked to discover what a unique talent The Rock is. Hopefully someday soon we see him in something that requires using said talent. Race to Witch Mountain does not appear to be it.
