“The Boys” to “Thor”: the best performances of Karl Urban
Karl Urban came back on screen as The boys kicks off its third season, and its performance as Billy Butcher is bigger and better than ever. He can do action, he can do horror, and we can also go ahead and tick off comedy, as Urban has shown time and time again that he’s no stranger to versatility.
Urban’s performances tend to be captivating. Starting his career over thirty years ago, he dabbled in a wide range of materials and he still makes the role something quite special. No one does it like him; it’s awesome to watch and it has the credits to prove it.
Billy Butcher – “The Boys”
With the third season underway, Prime Video’s superhero show The boys has carved its way into the hearts of millions, especially fans of the comic book series of the same name. The boys constantly pushing boundaries; it’s incredibly witty, gory, and thrilling and manages to up the ante with every episode.
Urban’s work in The boys is spectacular. He is Billy Butcher; there is no doubt. The rude and brutal leader of the star of the eponymous vigilante team is easily one of the main reasons to keep watching. Butcher thrives in a morally gray area; he is never the hero or the villain. Urban really breathes life into Butcher.
Skurge — “Thor: Ragnarok”
The third installment of the MCUs Thor franchise sees the god of thunder (Chris Hemsworth) fighting with the evil sister Hela (Cate Blanchett) as he attempts to prevent the destruction of his home planet Asgard. Thor: Ragnarok welcomes a major tonal shift within the film series; Taika WaititiThe direction of allows the characters and storyline to explore a juxtaposition of darker elements and comedy.
Thor: Ragnarok also features plenty of familiar faces in action, including Jeff Goldblum and Urban. The New Zealand native plays Skurge, the guardian of the Bifrost Bridge, before Hela recruits him into her tyrannical bid to take over Asgard. Initially an antagonist to Thor and his Revenger pals, Skurge changes his mind in the climax, and Urban gets to do what he does best on screen: wreak manic mayhem.
Judge Dredd – ‘Dredd’
This 2012 sci-fi action flick is a tough market as Urban fills the boots of the infamous Judge Dredd, who often resorts to extreme measures to administer justice. Set in a dystopian future, Dredd is called upon to investigate a series of brutal tower murders, where he meets the ruthless kingpin Ma-Ma (Lena Headey).
Dred don’t hold back. Urban’s take on the character is very gritty, and he gets bonus points for never removing his helmet. Unlike the 1995 iteration, this version of Dred sticks closer to the source material, forgoing a lot of humorous qualities and delving into bloodthirsty action without a second thought. Dred is fantastic to bite the bullet with an equally scene-stealing villain in Headey, who presents himself as a worthy adversary to Urban’s protagonist.
Dr. Leonard ‘Bones’ McCoy—’Star Trek’ Franchise
In this reboot of the 2009 prequel, a young James T. Kirk (Chris Pine) boards the USS Enterprise to fulfill his late father’s legacy before him and Spock (Zachary Quinto) face a Romulan enemy who threatens to destroy the United Federation of Planets. During his travels, Kirk encounters familiar characters from across the franchise, including Urban’s portrayal of Dr. Leonard “Bones” McCoy.
star trekis a great place to start the franchise for all newcomers who may not have kept up with the original movies and shows; not only does it incorporate a new spin on these beloved characters, but it invites and welcomes longtime fans of the star trek phenomenon. As he often does, Urban brings more than enough to the table and delivers plenty of lighthearted comedy as his bromance with Pine’s Kirk comes to fruition.
Éomer — Franchise “The Lord of the Rings”
Throughout his three-decade career, Urban has embedded himself in some of cinema’s biggest franchises, and it all starts with The Lord of the Rings. His first appearance in the fantasy film series is the 2002 sequel The two towers, and he returns to conclude the trilogy with The king’s return as Éomer, a leader of the Riders of Rohan and brother of Éowyn from Miranda Otto.
It’s arguably the movies that put Urban on the map and propelled him into a formidable leader and action star. The Lord of the Rings saga is visually spectacular and pleasing to the eye, especially the fight sequences in which Urban plays a vital role in their execution. peter jacksonThe making of is a visionary dream, complete with a stellar cast of actors who elevate the material to a whole new height and solidify the standard for films to come.
Vincent – ’The Loft’
When a group of close friends agree to share a loft to carry out adulterous affairs, their fantasy of pursuing single life is shattered after a woman is found murdered in bed and dark secrets are revealed. The Loft is a biting thriller that changes course with every passing second; it takes a classic murder mystery into a sensually erotic drama. Urban takes the lead as the ringleader and master manipulator Vincent.
The Loft may not have been a hit with critics, but it’s a tasteful and thoroughly enjoyable remake of the Belgian film of the same name. The thriller has a very basic concept that doesn’t break the audience’s suspension of disbelief and quickly turns the lives of these five men upside down. The Vincent d’Urban is diabolical; though charismatic, you can’t help but despise Vincent as he tempts and torments his friends and proves he won’t do anything to save his own skin.
Siberius Vaako – “The Chronicles of Riddick”
The middle chapter of The Chronicles of Riddick resume immediately after field black with Riddick (Vin Diesel) on the run and comes face to face with the Necromongers, an army that seeks universal destruction. Among the Necromongers is Vaako (Urban), a loyal commander in search of Riddick.
It’s a sequel that breaks away from the first film’s aesthetic almost completely, but not necessarily in a bad way. It has action, drama, and urban rock that straightens hair like no one else could. The plot itself can be bland; however, it is an enjoyable sci-fi movie.
William Cooper – ‘Red’
Hollywood action legend Bruce Willis stars as former CIA agent Frank Moses. The latter must gather his old team when Urban’s black ops agent is tasked with tracking him down and eliminating him. Red is an action comedy like no other because it brings together Helen Mirren, Morgan FREEMAN, and John Malkovich in a very effective and very fun adventure.
This film is made for light viewing; it’s everything you could want from this group of movie veterans. Red received a somewhat mixed response from critics. Still, it was a hit with moviegoers for its humor, expertly balanced acting, and Malkovich’s paranoid Marvin who believes the world wants to have him and is surrounded by conspiracy theories. Urban stands out exceptionally well alongside the elite of cinema. Besides, who doesn’t want to see Helen Mirren taking out bad guys with a machine gun?
Kirill – “The Bourne Supremacy”
Urban makes a menacing villain, and we see that change in him crystal clear with Bourne Supremacy. The sequel to Jason Bourne (Matt Damon) trying to uncover the secrets of his past while being targeted by his former employer, and Urban’s Kirill quickly closes.
There’s always a question of whether a sequel can hold a candle to its predecessor, and if so, the answer is most certainly yes. Bourne Supremacy is potentially the franchise’s strongest film; it continues to pace itself with exhilarating action but revitalizes the storyline to avoid falling down the path of predictability. He succeeds by a considerable margin.