Smell what’s cooking: The best movies starring The Rock

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is an icon in Hollywood, known for his imposing presence, impeccable acting skills, and captivating performances. He may have struggled initially, like so many wrestlers trying to make the jump to the big screen, but he managed to land the biggest career of any WWE star in history.

He has appeared in several highly successful and critically acclaimed movies throughout his career, and has managed to revive several waning franchises. In this post, we’ll take a look at some of the best movies starring The Rock that you simply must watch.

Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (2017)

Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle is a hilarious action-comedy with The Rock, Jack Black, Kevin Hart, and Karen Gillan. It’s a sequel to the 1995 Jumanji movie starring Robin Williams, but the tone is very different from the original, as it revolves around a group of high school students who are transported into a video game. 

The Rock’s performance as Dr. Smolder Bravestone is one of the highlights of the movie, as he gets to play against type and appear nerdy and unsure of himself despite his large frame.

Central Intelligence (2016)

Central Intelligence is another action-comedy that stars The Rock and Kevin Hart. The movie tells the story of a CIA agent (The Rock), who is on the run and seeks help from his former high school friend (Hart). The Rock’s character, Bob Stone, is once again a departure from The Rock’s badass persona, as he was an overweight high school kid, and he continues to struggle making friends as an adult.

There’s lots of laughter to be gained from the dynamic between The Rock and Hart, especially with Hart being portrayed as the cooler, more confident half of the duo.

Moana (2016)

Moana is an Academy Award-nominated animated movie that features The Rock as the voice of Maui. It tells the story of a young Polynesian girl named Moana who sets out on a journey to save her people with the help of a demigod named Maui. 

The Rock’s performance as Maui was outstanding, and his singing voice was a pleasant surprise to many fans. He received some of the best reviews of his career, and the film was such a rousing success that a live-action remake was recently announced. And of course, The Rock will be reprising his role as Maui.

Fast & Furious (2009 – Present)

The Rock joined the Fast & Furious franchise in 2011’s Fast Five and has since become a staple. He plays Luke Hobbs, a DSS agent who becomes an ally to international criminal Dom Toretto (Vin Diesel) despite initially being tasked with bringing him down. 

The Rock is a perfect match for the exaggerated action of the franchise, and has managed to get a spinoff franchise out of it: Hobbs & Shaw. The Rock’s ongoing feud with Vin Diesel has kept him out of the last few installments, and he has been sorely missed.

San Andreas (2015)

San Andreas is an action-disaster movie about a rescue helicopter pilot (The Rock) who embarks on a dangerous mission to save his daughter after a massive earthquake strikes California.

There’s nothing particularly special about this movie, but The Rock knows how to excel in this kind of genre fare, and he gives every scene a charisma and gusto that is crucial to making the whole thing work.

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In conclusion, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has starred in several critically acclaimed movies that have showcased his acting range and magnetism. He has become one of the most bankable and likable actors in Hollywood due to his continued success at the box office. We can’t wait to see what he does next.