Angelina Jolie is a popular name in Hollywood. She's become one of the more recognizable actresses over the years, and she has received a few Oscar nominations. Although, Jolie has only won one gold statue. She managed to win the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Girl, Interrupted. Jolie has managed to acquire a lot fame and success over the years, but how good is Angelina Jolie?
Jolie can act, and she does have a nice variety of characters. In Gia, she portrayed a troubled supermodel, she showed she can kick ass in the Tomb Raider films, she was a charming and carefree mental patient in Girl, Interrupted, and she was a heartbroken mother who had to fight a dark conspiracy in Changeling. I also didn't have a problem with Jolie in Alexander, but Alexander is one of those films that receives a TON of hate, and I do agree with some of the complaints from critics.
I've never had too big of a problem with Jolie, and I have enjoyed some of her films, but I don't think Jolie has ever had that one memorable performance. When I think about Jolie's films, Gia and Changeling were the only two movies where Jolie's performances really stood out. And when it comes to Changeling, I think Jolie was fortunate to have Clint Eastwood as a director, the script was well written, and she was surrounded by an awesome supporting cast. Don't get me wrong, I still enjoyed Jolie in Changeling. She did a fine job in that film, but Changeling was well written, and having Eastwood on your side can never hurt. As far as Girl, Interrupted goes, Jolie was very enjoyable, and I do think her character was the highlight of that film. She was mean and manipulative, but there were times where she could have this likable personality.
Jolie's career has taken a weird turn over the years. Sure, she might star in some dramatic films, but Jolie has seemingly fallen in love with becoming an action star. A lot of her more recent films revolve around espionage and fierce action:
Mr. & Mrs. Smith
Wanted
Salt
The Tourist
Wanted
Salt
The Tourist
Also, Jolie was the star of both Tomb Raider films. I wasn't too crazy about either Tomb Raider film. Jolie didn't do a bad job with the lead role (she did have the perfect look for the Lara Croft character) ,but both films were pretty mediocre, and that franchise never managed to take off, but films based on video games usually have a bad track record, so I guess you can't place all of the blame on Jolie.
I don't know if Jolie is trying to become the next big action star, but I don't think she's headed in the right direction. I enjoyed Wanted and Salt, but The Tourist was average at best (Johnny Depp really saved that film) and Mr. & Mrs. Smith just came off as another plain and generic action film. If Jolie wants to be known as a famous action star, then she's going to need a couple of high quality action films on her track record.
