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Ok, I can hear the war-drums pounding already. Ya know, as much as movie folks will complain about movies, actors, directors, et al, no one seems to bring up so many opinions as Keanu Reeves. So where do I stand? Ok, here we go, and I have my battle-armor on... I Like the guy. Peeking over my armor-plated desk... power-armor on just in case... look, hear me out, ok? Sure, he is NOT the best thespian in the world, so just let that go. So what is the big deal about the guy who's made 'whoa' his catch phrase?
First, I think we should remember that there are a LOT of other actors who have done what Keanu's done; take some 'eh' skill but find a good niche, and just enjoy the ride. You think Aaaahhhhhhhhnald would ever get an Oscar? Beyond 'Rocky' Stallone hasn't sniffed a golden statue, EVER. Bruce Willis has certainly found some VERY nice roles to stretch his acting muscle, but let's be frank here, Olivier this guy AIN'T. And each one of these guys has been crucified for not being a good actor, but has been given the official moniker of 'Action Star', so is given a lot of slack. Enough with Keanu already.
Second, well, he's a nice guy. No he's not a massive philanthropist, nor is he a political player, but he's a polite guy who tries to treat everyone else he works with respect. The Biz is filled with divas of one type or another who are much better 'actors'... but their skills at being people are questionable, to say the least. They carry their amazing abilities like powered-armor; I am an Actor/Actress, so you will do as I decree or else. Yeah, kinda a smucky thing to do, isn't it? And yet here is Keanu who makes about $15 mill a pic, yet things are quiet, mellow he's got a VERY private life that has had it's moments of tragedy but you don't hear him turning it into a Jerry Springer episode. He does his job, is good to how he works with, and goes home.
Finally, he's one of us. 'What are you talking about?' Seriously, think about it. Most of the time, acting turns into an EXAGGERATION of emotions, not a DISPLAY. It's not enough to be despondent, or thrilled, or anguished, whatever. You gotta GO OVER THE EDGE. This leads to moments where legends like Jack Nicholson and Al Pacino start to go over-board in their acting. Ok, so the counter is 'Well, Keanu doesn't DO anything!' Wrong, he reacts they way any of us would; no histrionics, no screaming... he just says it THEN DOES IT. At the end of 'The Matrix - Revolutions' as he is pummeled by Smith, Smith asks Neo why he's still fighting after getting obliterated. Simple 'I choose to.' In 'The Replacements', during a climactic moment in the locker-room as the Washington Sentinels are getting creamed, a prima-donna quarterback roars NO ONE could lead a bunch of scab football players against a pro-team. Enter Keanu 'I can'.
No screaming, no loooooooooooooooooooooooooooooong monologue that a screenwriter burned up hours to create, no overly-dramatic camera-angles with back-lighting just in the right spot, no cheering of thousands. Just a simple declaration; this is what I do, and to heck with what you THINK, this is what I will DO. No, it's not done in the 'typical' way a 'great' actor would... but it's done in the way the rest of us would do it. We just say 'Yes, we're gonna do it' and then you DO IT.
So there you go. Is it safe now, are y'all putting your weapons down? No, I will never say he's a GREAT actor... but he's NOT the worst thing, either. So please, let it go. He comes from the radition of other actors like John Wayne and Aahhhhhhnald; he does what he does, and does it well. Let's just enjoy the ride.