42-years-old Chris Pine’s impressive cinematic career has been going strong for quite some time. He began his acting career opposite Anne Hathaway in The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement in 2004. Since then, we’ve been seeing his captivating persona in a wide variety of films, including comedies, dramas, musicals, and sci-fi adventures. At this point, we feel like recalling his contribution to Hollywood by looking back at some of his finest work in versatile movies. Here are his 10 best movies:
Image Courtesy: IMDb
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Hell or High Water
Year: 2016
Genre: Crime, Thriller, Drama
Director: David Mackenzie
Cast: Chris Pine, Gil Birmingham, Ben Foster, Jeff Bridges
Available on: Amazon Prime
This film has all the makings of a classic in the genre of contemporary westerns. In order to prevent the bank from seizing their family’s farm due to outstanding loans, the two brothers decide to loot the bank. Toby Pine is one of the brothers in the film.
The story holds it all together while a solid conversation is expertly interspersed with shootouts. The brothers’ plight is relatable since it stems from a basic desire to hold on to their land. Using their funds to settle their bank debt was a stroke of genius.
Pine’s bank robber persona, Toby, escapes unscathed.
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Image Courtesy: Vox
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Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
Year: 2018
Genre: Animation, Action Adventure
Director: Bob Persichetti, Rodney Rothman, Peter Ramsey
Cast: Chris Pine, Jake Johnson, Shameik Moore, Hailee Steinfeld, Mahershala Ali
Available on: Disney Plus
By featuring a wide variety of Spider-Man iterations from the comics, Into the Spider-verse creates a multiverse blueprint, later used by the MCU. Earth-1610’s version of Spider-Man, a teenager named Miles Morales, steps in following Peter Parker’s death. Pine gives the original Peter Parker his voice in the animated movie.
Having Mile Morales as the film’s main character also helps a lot to promote diversity and tolerance. Fans of Chris Pine may be disappointed that he doesn’t have a larger role. Still, the movie has more than enough exciting sequences to make up for his brief appearances.
Image Courtesy: Giant Frakin Robot
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Star Trek
Year: 2009
Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-fi
Director: J.J. Abrams
Cast: Chris Pine, Leonard Nimoy, Simon Pegg, Zachary Quinto,
Available on: Paramount
While most reboots try to shake things up too much, this science fiction film from 2009 succeeds by returning to the formula that audiences love. Pine is natural in his new leading role to earn praise from William Shatner (via MovieWeb). Plus, the film’s brisk pace makes it accessible to a wider audience.
The original cast, along with some brand-new faces, is back in this first installment of the rebooted franchise. Nero, captain of the Narada, is the target of Kirk (Pine) and the company this time around.
Image Courtesy: IMDb
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Wonder Woman
Year: 2017
Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Director: Patty Jenkins
Cast: Chris Pine, Gal Gadot, Lucy Davis, Robin Wright
Available on: HBO Max
When Steve Trevor (Chris Pine) crashes his plane near Themyscira. Wonder Woman or Diana (Gal Gadot) comes to his rescue. She follows him to Earth in an effort to thwart Ares, the god of war.
Aside from the strong performances from Gal Gadot and Chris Pine, the film’s early 20th-century setting is also noteworthy. The setting managed to distance itself from the modern gloominess in which Batman and Superman had previously operated. The sequel’s 1980s setting further proves that Jenkins is a history buff. Fortunately, the combination of modern superpowers with historical elements has been widely praised by critics.
Image Courtesy: The Hollywood Reporter
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Star Trek Into Darkness
Year: 2013
Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Director: J.J. Abrams
Cast: Chris Pine, Zoe Saldana, Zachary Quinto, Benedict Cumberbatch
Available on: Paramount
The second film of the series is set in the year 2259. Captain Kirk is removed from command of the USS Enterprise for disobeying orders. However, he goes back to face an internal foe.
Pine has consistently shown himself to be a team player over the years, with his best work appearing in films that feature more than one protagonist. Here, he does a wonderful job of highlighting the chemistry between Kirk and Spock, leaving viewers hungry for more scenes featuring the two. Aside from the performances, the visual effects are very well done. This is especially impressive given that many high-budget films are still criticized for having subpar visuals.
Image Courtesy: Bustle
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Into the Woods
Year: 2014
Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Drama
Director: Rob Marshall
Cast: Chris Pine, Meryl Streep, Anna Kendrick, Emily Blunt
Available on: Disney Plus
The musical Into the Woods reimagines classic stories like Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Rapunzel. This adaptation of “Cinderella” features not one but two “Prince Charmings,” one of whom is played by Chris Pine.
The screenwriters appear to be aware that audiences and critics will be looking for something new in a film that retells stories that have been told hundreds of times before. Everything takes a wide turn in the second half of these stories because they cut out the happy ending. The arrogant Prince (Pine) cheats on Cinderella in this version.
Image Courtesy: IMDb
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Unstoppable
Year: 2010
Genre: Action, Thriller
Director: Tony Scott
Cast: Chris Pine, Denzel Washington, Ethan Suplee, Rosario Dawson
Available on: Disney Plus
A train carrying hazardous materials speeds toward a city. A conductor (Chris Pine) and a railroad engineer (Denzel Washington) collaborate to stop this runaway train.
The stakes feel extremely high throughout the film, from the press coverage to the bystanders watching in horror. But the events don’t overpower Pine and Washington. The two are so endearing, thanks to their performances. They set such a fast pace and originality that they prevent anyone, even critics, from dismissing the film’s plot, which has been repeated many times before. Then, of course, the terrifying sound of the train also earned a Best Sound Editing Oscar nomination.
Image Courtesy: The New Yorker
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Star Trek Beyond
Year: 2016
Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Director: Justin Lin
Cast: Chris Pine, Zoe Saldana, Zachary Quinto, Karl Urban
Available on: Paramount
The USS Enterprise crew ventures into uncharted territory in this third film in the relaunched Star Trek series. They find a new enemy waiting for them there. Reviewers rightfully give higher marks to films helmed by well-known directors. The threequel is reminiscent of a film directed by Justin Lin, with all the over-the-top action and impressive visual effects.
The movie’s characters are what really make it shine, even if the fast pace will keep some viewers interested. All actors, from Pine to Simon Pegg and Idris Elba, turn in commendable turns that will win over reviewers. Fans will be happy to see Karl Urban in one of the best roles of his career as Billy Butcher in The Boys, in which he proves he deserves A-list status.
Image Courtesy: IMDb
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Z For Zachariah
Year: 2015
Genre: Science Fiction, Drama, Thriller
Director: Craig Zobel
Cast: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Chris Pine, Margot Robbie
Available on: Pluto TV
Z For Zachariah is an adaptation of Robert C. O’Brien’s 1974 novel about a woman who lives through a nuclear war. She arrives at her destination believing she is the only person on Earth, but then she meets a man, and they fall in love. However, when another male survivor shows up, their relationship is tested.
Z For Zachariah has an unusual premise—a love triangle set in a post-apocalyptic Earth—and any reviewer worth their salt will have to give it credit for that. Pine is the antagonist, the stereotypical bad boy who destroys the budding romance between a woman and her less-than-perfect but committed on-screen persona. With only three major players, evaluating their actions is much simpler. Both Chiwetel Ejiofor and Margot Robbie, throughout the proceedings, make it a point to outdo Pine’s flawless gestures and glances.
- Wonder Woman 1984
Year: 2020
Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Director: Patty Jenkins
Cast: Chris Pine, Gal Gadot, Kristen Wiig
Available on: HBO Max
When her lover Steve Trevor (Chris Pine), dies in the 1980s, Diana Prince (Gal Gadot) has a hard time moving on. Fortunately, he unexpectedly returns to aid her in defeating Max Lord, a world-conquering megalomaniac who plans to wield power by granting people’s wishes with the Dreamstone.
Max Lord isn’t threatening or loathsome enough to justify the high praise given to the hero, which may be why some critics felt the film fell short of the original’s standards. The sequel succeeds, however, in other ways, notably by strengthening the already compelling romance between Diana and Steve. One of the best couples in DC comics, the pair also benefits from Pine’s charisma and eye-contact prowess, which help Steve come across as a loving partner in the film.
