Did You Recognize the Stars in These 15 Movies?

1. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey 2012，IMDB Rating: 7.8, IMDB Votes: 879764, ID: 0903624
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Peter Jackson’s return to Middle-earth in ‘The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey’ is a visually resplendent trip, but its deliberate pace robs the material of some of its majesty. The film is lighter in tone than the ‘Lord of the Rings’ trilogy, focusing on the adventures of Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman), who is thrust out of his comfort zone. However, some critics felt that the film’s humor and pacing were not as effective as they could have been.
2. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King 2003，IMDB Rating: 9.0, IMDB Votes: 1999848, ID: 0167260
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‘The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King’ is a moving and satisfying conclusion to a great trilogy. The film is emotionally powerful and visually resplendent. However, some critics felt that Viggo Mortensen’s Aragorn lacked the gravitas of Sean Bean’s Boromir from the first film. Despite this, the film’s epic scale and emotional depth make it a standout in the trilogy.
3. The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug 2013，IMDB Rating: 7.8, IMDB Votes: 711387, ID: 1170358
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‘The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug’ is a solid blockbuster with lots of action and a decent story. The film’s pacing is tighter than its predecessor, and it contains sequences of breathtaking beauty. However, some critics felt that the film was too long and that the narrative was weakened by splitting the story into three parts. Despite these criticisms, the film is generally seen as an improvement over the first installment.
4. The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies 2014，IMDB Rating: 7.4, IMDB Votes: 577548, ID: 2310332
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‘The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies’ is a thrilling conclusion to the trilogy, filled with action-packed scenes. However, some critics felt that the film was more of a long drawn-out closing paragraph rather than a vibrant stand-alone piece of the story. Despite these criticisms, the film’s focus on the theme of greed, or ‘dragon-sickness’, gives it a strong thematic core.
5. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe 2005，IMDB Rating: 6.9, IMDB Votes: 431327, ID: 0363771
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The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is a high fantasy film that takes us on an enchanting journey. The film’s cast, including Tilda Swinton as the White Witch, delivers a captivating performance. However, it’s the transformative makeup and prosthetics that truly bring the characters to life, making them almost unrecognizable. This film is a testament to the magic of cinema and the power of transformation.
6. The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian 2008，IMDB Rating: 6.5, IMDB Votes: 227067, ID: 0499448
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In The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, the Pevensie children return to Narnia to aid Prince Caspian, played by Ben Barnes. The film showcases impressive transformations, particularly Peter Dinklage’s character, Trumpkin. The makeup and prosthetics teams’ work is commendable, making the characters nearly unrecognizable and enhancing the film’s fantastical elements.
7. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader 2010，IMDB Rating: 6.3, IMDB Votes: 167727, ID: 0980970
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The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader continues the magical journey, with the Pevensie siblings and their cousin Eustace Scrubb embarking on a new adventure. The film’s transformative makeup and prosthetics are again noteworthy, contributing to the fantastical and immersive world of Narnia.
8. The Grand Budapest Hotel 2014，IMDB Rating: 8.1, IMDB Votes: 895190, ID: 2278388
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The Grand Budapest Hotel is a visually stunning film that showcases the transformative power of makeup and costuming. Tilda Swinton’s transformation into the elderly Madame D. is particularly striking, making her almost unrecognizable. The film is a testament to the power of cinema to create immersive and transformative experiences.
9. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button 2008，IMDB Rating: 7.8, IMDB Votes: 701236, ID: 0421715
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The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is a unique film that tells the story of a man aging in reverse. Brad Pitt’s transformation throughout the film is remarkable, making him almost unrecognizable in his older stages. The film is a poignant exploration of time, life, and the human condition.
10. The Iron Lady 2011，IMDB Rating: 6.4, IMDB Votes: 113993, ID: 1007029
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The Iron Lady, a biographical drama, portrays the life of Margaret Thatcher, the first female Prime Minister of the UK. Meryl Streep’s performance as Thatcher was highly acclaimed. The film, however, was criticized for its focus on Thatcher’s dementia. As a movie lover, I found Streep’s transformation into Thatcher impressive, embodying the spirit of the topic. However, the film’s narrative could have delved deeper into Thatcher’s political life.
11. The Hours 2002，IMDB Rating: 7.5, IMDB Votes: 140602, ID: 0274558
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The Hours is a deep and sensitive drama with outstanding performances. It explores the complex lives of three women, including Nicole Kidman as Virginia Woolf. Kidman’s transformation into Woolf was remarkable, making her almost unrecognizable. The film’s exploration of mental health issues was thought-provoking, but the narrative could have been more engaging.
12. The Danish Girl 2015，IMDB Rating: 7.1, IMDB Votes: 200195, ID: 0810819
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The Danish Girl tells the story of Lili Elbe, one of the first known recipients of gender affirming surgery. Eddie Redmayne’s portrayal of Elbe was praised, though the film was criticized for its focus on Elbe’s transition rather than her life as a whole. Redmayne’s transformation into Elbe was striking, fitting the topic perfectly. However, the film could have explored more of Elbe’s experiences as a transgender woman.
13. The Theory of Everything 2014，IMDB Rating: 7.7, IMDB Votes: 485384, ID: 2980516
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The Theory of Everything is a biographical drama about the life of renowned physicist Stephen Hawking. Eddie Redmayne’s portrayal of Hawking was lauded, particularly his depiction of Hawking’s physical deterioration. Redmayne’s transformation into Hawking was astounding, aligning with the topic. However, the film’s narrative could have delved deeper into Hawking’s scientific contributions.
14. The Revenant 2015，IMDB Rating: 8.0, IMDB Votes: 883495, ID: 1663202
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The Revenant is a Western action drama that follows the survival journey of frontiersman Hugh Glass. Leonardo DiCaprio’s performance as Glass was highly praised. DiCaprio’s transformation into the rugged and determined Glass was impressive, fitting the topic well. However, the film’s narrative could have explored more of the historical context of the Arikara War.
15. The Wolf of Wall Street 2013，IMDB Rating: 8.2, IMDB Votes: 1605635, ID: 0993846
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Leonardo DiCaprio’s portrayal of Jordan Belfort in ‘The Wolf of Wall Street’ is a masterclass in transformation. DiCaprio embodies the character’s excess and recklessness, making him both loathsome and fascinating. The film is a wild ride, showcasing the dark side of wealth and power.