If you have ever watched an interview with David Fincher or a "making-of" any of his films, you know the guy is an amazing filmmaker. Sit back and watch the three-hour Criterion special feature on the Benjamin Button Blu-ray and you will know what I mean. Although he only has eight feature films under his belt, all but one have been considered "fresh" on Rotten Tomatoes.
With his latest film, The Social Network, opening in theaters this weekend, I have decided to rank Fincher's films from "first to worst." Ordering this list was difficult to do because - with the exception of his first feature film - they are all movies that I highly recommend to anyone who hasn't seen them.
Here you have it, David Fincher's "First to Worst."
1. The Social Network (2010)
Who would've thought that a film about the controversial creation of Facebook would be such an intriguing and stunning film? The Social Network is an absolutely perfect package. From the way that it is shot and edited, to the writing, score and acting, it is flawless.
The opening scene, through editing, dialogue and music, establishes a high speed pace and intensity that never leaves the film - something you are not really expecting in a dialogue-driven film. As per usual with other Fincher films, the performances are fantastic and, I'm predicting, awards-worthy.
Unlike other films that try showing the new "reality" of business and society due to computers and technology, The Social Network absolutely defines the new era we live in. It documents one major moment for this new generation and it does it with perfect form.
For my full review of this perfect five-star film, click here.
2. Fight Club (1999)
By the time I finally saw Fight Club, the surprise ending had already been spoiled for me. Even then, it still blew my mind.
The critical response to Fight Club was completely unique. Initially, it received horrible reviews. But shortly thereafter critics started going back on their original critiques, now calling it a masterpiece - which it is.
Aside from one major change to the ending of the film (one that possibly could have ruined the film), Fincher's film is pretty spot-on with Chuck Palahniuk's novel from which it is based. Nearly every line of memorable or witty dialogue is taken straight from the book and slapped right into the middle of Fincher's iconic film.
3. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
Big Fish meets Forrest Gump. A character piece about a baby born with an old man's body that ages in reverse. The film takes us through his travels, encounters and experiences.
I am somewhat surprised by how many people actually don't care for Benjamin Button. Perhaps it is the slow pace, or the nearly three-hour runtime. But I find it to be such a genuine and beautiful film that the length and pacing are appropriate for what it achieves.
And who doesn't love the man who gets struck by lightning seven times?
4. Zodiac (2007)
As much as I recall enjoying Zodiac, I am ashamed to admit that I only saw it once. Considering from the get-go you know that you are about to watch a film that recounts the unsolved investigation of one of the creepiest serial killers in U.S. history, it somehow manages to continually keep you on the end of your seat.
And even though you already know the story the way the media and police made it out to be, it is really interesting to see who they think did it, but did not have enough evidence to convict.
As with The Social Network, the tone of Zodiac is established early on in a creative and unique way. Hats off to the actors (Jake Gyllenhaal, Mark Ruffalo and Robert Downey Jr.)
5. Se7en (1995)
Did you see that ending coming? Mind you I was 15 when Se7en came out, but I sure didn't. Se7en is easily one of the best good-guy/bad-guy cat-and-mouse chase films of all time. The dark and moody tone of the film throws you into the disturbing case as if you were one of the detectives assigned to it.
Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman, Kevin Spacey and a young Gwyneth Paltrow all give fantastic performances. Unlike the "torture-porn" Hostel films, Se7en is directed in the old fashion "less is more" sense. You never see any of the grizzly murders performed. Instead, just hearing about the murders and seeing the results is more than enough to give you the heebie jeebies.
6. Panic Room (2002)
Planning ahead for possible home invasions, rich folks have "panic rooms" installed in their homes that offer a small, hidden bulletproof living space should such an instance occur. But when Jodie Foster and her young daughter (Twilight's Kristen Stewart) are forced to use it, she must learn to outsmart the criminals that know how to turn their supposedly-safe hideout room into a sarcophagus.
Each criminal plays a different stereotype: Jared Leto (Requiem For A Dream) plays the nervous brains of the gang; Forest Whitaker (The Last King of Scotland) plays the innocent, first-time, "over-his-head" criminal; and country singer Dwight Yoakam plays the experienced, masked "wildcard" criminal. Put those three over an intelligent powerful woman trying to protect her child while trapped in a 5' by 10' panic room and you have one smart and intense thriller.
7. The Game (1997)
Another intense thriller, in The Game. Michael Douglas (Wall Street) plays a wealthy businessman who is given an unusual birthday present from his shady brother (Sean Penn, Milk) - a prestigious company stages a real-life mystery/thriller "game" for him where he must play a part, do things you only see in action movies, follow the clues and solve the mystery. But when his bank account turns up empty, his family goes missing and his home is ransacked, he discovers that this is no mere game.
Intense from beginning to end, you will wish that such a game really existed - but deep down inside you are glad it doesn't.
8. Alien 3 (1992)
This is the only Fincher film I don't have anything to say nice about. The original Alien is a fantastic science fiction film from director Ridley Scott (Blade Runner). It's sequel, Aliens, was given the action treatment when James Cameron (Avatar) climbed aboard the franchise. What Scott and Cameron did for the series was remarkable. Who doesn't like the first two Alien films? But the third is downright bad.
I don't blame Fincher for Alien 3 being so bad. I blame a bad story. Ripley (Sigourney Weaver, Avatar) ends up stuck in a prison planet while the aliens run rampant. Not a bad idea, but the rest of the story is so bad that you will never want to see them make another Alien movie again (even though they did make a fourth, Alien Resurrection).
The only thing I blame Fincher for is taking on Alien 3. Perhaps he took it because it was his first big break with an already-loved franchise, but the story and script is so dumb I bet he is embarrassed that he had to take it to break into Hollywood. I hold nothing against him because had he not taken the project, there's a good chance he wouldn't be where he is today.
With his latest film, The Social Network, opening in theaters this weekend, I have decided to rank Fincher's films from "first to worst." Ordering this list was difficult to do because - with the exception of his first feature film - they are all movies that I highly recommend to anyone who hasn't seen them.
Here you have it, David Fincher's "First to Worst."
1. The Social Network (2010)
Who would've thought that a film about the controversial creation of Facebook would be such an intriguing and stunning film? The Social Network is an absolutely perfect package. From the way that it is shot and edited, to the writing, score and acting, it is flawless.
The opening scene, through editing, dialogue and music, establishes a high speed pace and intensity that never leaves the film - something you are not really expecting in a dialogue-driven film. As per usual with other Fincher films, the performances are fantastic and, I'm predicting, awards-worthy.
Unlike other films that try showing the new "reality" of business and society due to computers and technology, The Social Network absolutely defines the new era we live in. It documents one major moment for this new generation and it does it with perfect form.
For my full review of this perfect five-star film, click here.
2. Fight Club (1999)
By the time I finally saw Fight Club, the surprise ending had already been spoiled for me. Even then, it still blew my mind.
The critical response to Fight Club was completely unique. Initially, it received horrible reviews. But shortly thereafter critics started going back on their original critiques, now calling it a masterpiece - which it is.
Aside from one major change to the ending of the film (one that possibly could have ruined the film), Fincher's film is pretty spot-on with Chuck Palahniuk's novel from which it is based. Nearly every line of memorable or witty dialogue is taken straight from the book and slapped right into the middle of Fincher's iconic film.
3. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
Big Fish meets Forrest Gump. A character piece about a baby born with an old man's body that ages in reverse. The film takes us through his travels, encounters and experiences.
I am somewhat surprised by how many people actually don't care for Benjamin Button. Perhaps it is the slow pace, or the nearly three-hour runtime. But I find it to be such a genuine and beautiful film that the length and pacing are appropriate for what it achieves.
And who doesn't love the man who gets struck by lightning seven times?
4. Zodiac (2007)
As much as I recall enjoying Zodiac, I am ashamed to admit that I only saw it once. Considering from the get-go you know that you are about to watch a film that recounts the unsolved investigation of one of the creepiest serial killers in U.S. history, it somehow manages to continually keep you on the end of your seat.
And even though you already know the story the way the media and police made it out to be, it is really interesting to see who they think did it, but did not have enough evidence to convict.
As with The Social Network, the tone of Zodiac is established early on in a creative and unique way. Hats off to the actors (Jake Gyllenhaal, Mark Ruffalo and Robert Downey Jr.)
5. Se7en (1995)
Did you see that ending coming? Mind you I was 15 when Se7en came out, but I sure didn't. Se7en is easily one of the best good-guy/bad-guy cat-and-mouse chase films of all time. The dark and moody tone of the film throws you into the disturbing case as if you were one of the detectives assigned to it.
Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman, Kevin Spacey and a young Gwyneth Paltrow all give fantastic performances. Unlike the "torture-porn" Hostel films, Se7en is directed in the old fashion "less is more" sense. You never see any of the grizzly murders performed. Instead, just hearing about the murders and seeing the results is more than enough to give you the heebie jeebies.
6. Panic Room (2002)
Planning ahead for possible home invasions, rich folks have "panic rooms" installed in their homes that offer a small, hidden bulletproof living space should such an instance occur. But when Jodie Foster and her young daughter (Twilight's Kristen Stewart) are forced to use it, she must learn to outsmart the criminals that know how to turn their supposedly-safe hideout room into a sarcophagus.
Each criminal plays a different stereotype: Jared Leto (Requiem For A Dream) plays the nervous brains of the gang; Forest Whitaker (The Last King of Scotland) plays the innocent, first-time, "over-his-head" criminal; and country singer Dwight Yoakam plays the experienced, masked "wildcard" criminal. Put those three over an intelligent powerful woman trying to protect her child while trapped in a 5' by 10' panic room and you have one smart and intense thriller.
7. The Game (1997)
Another intense thriller, in The Game. Michael Douglas (Wall Street) plays a wealthy businessman who is given an unusual birthday present from his shady brother (Sean Penn, Milk) - a prestigious company stages a real-life mystery/thriller "game" for him where he must play a part, do things you only see in action movies, follow the clues and solve the mystery. But when his bank account turns up empty, his family goes missing and his home is ransacked, he discovers that this is no mere game.
Intense from beginning to end, you will wish that such a game really existed - but deep down inside you are glad it doesn't.
8. Alien 3 (1992)
This is the only Fincher film I don't have anything to say nice about. The original Alien is a fantastic science fiction film from director Ridley Scott (Blade Runner). It's sequel, Aliens, was given the action treatment when James Cameron (Avatar) climbed aboard the franchise. What Scott and Cameron did for the series was remarkable. Who doesn't like the first two Alien films? But the third is downright bad.
I don't blame Fincher for Alien 3 being so bad. I blame a bad story. Ripley (Sigourney Weaver, Avatar) ends up stuck in a prison planet while the aliens run rampant. Not a bad idea, but the rest of the story is so bad that you will never want to see them make another Alien movie again (even though they did make a fourth, Alien Resurrection).
The only thing I blame Fincher for is taking on Alien 3. Perhaps he took it because it was his first big break with an already-loved franchise, but the story and script is so dumb I bet he is embarrassed that he had to take it to break into Hollywood. I hold nothing against him because had he not taken the project, there's a good chance he wouldn't be where he is today.
| Comments
