Michelle Rodriguez starred Top 10 Movies
Michelle Rodriguez is one of the most visible Latinas working in Hollywood today. Over her years of work in the acting industry, she has become one of the most iconic female actors. Aside from acting, Michelle is also into screen writing. In fact, when she went to Hollywood,she originally applied as a screen writer. Michelle is also a disc jockey at night clubs and film premiere after-parties since 2009.
Michelle has always played the character of a tough, independent woman in a number of action films. She made a breakout in the industry after the indie film Girlfightwhere she played as a troubled boxer. For her exemplary skills, shereceived the Independent Spirit Award and Gotham award for best debut performance. Michelle has been advocating female empowerment over the past years. She mentioned once that she turned down many contracts which require her to act like a powerless woman with a miserable life who ends up being raped or killed. Michelle wanted roles that portray someone she respects, someone who is interesting and fun. Here are the top 10 movies that star the Michelle Rodriguez we love.
10. Battle: Los Angeles
Battle: Los Angeles is a sci-fi action film about the defense of mankind in Los Angeles against a global alien invasion. Michelle played the role of Sergeant Elena Santos, one of the first soldiers on scene to track the aliens that were trying to annihilate mankind. Being female, she was not that respected by the Marine platoon. However, she becomes a key ally of Staff Sergeant Michael Nantz (Aaron Eckhart) who is a retired soldier brought back to field to command the Marine platoon, when she tells him about the key to destroying the alien invaders. Michelle mentioned in an interview that she did a lot of workout with the boys in a boot camp during this film.
9. Blue Crush
Blue Crush is a surfer film about three friends who dream of surfing in the Hawaiian North Shore. Even though she had no experience in surfing, director John Stockwell allowed Michelle to play the role of Eden, the one with the ‘tough girl’ personality among the three friends. Eden was the friend who encouraged Anna Marie (Kate Botsworth), the lead character in this film who suffered a traumatic near-drowning incident, to try surfing again. Notes producer Brian Grazer commended how adventurous Michelle was in this film, “Michelle likes motors. She likes power. The motor is closer to the urban, hip-hop vibe that she’s about. She gets on that Jet Ski and kicks ass. She’s a tough girl!”
8. S.W.A.T.
S.W.A.T. is an action-crime-thriller film about how a S.W.A.T. team stops Brian Gamble (Jeremy Renner), a former S.W.A.T. member and traitor, and Alexander Montel, a French drug lord from escaping the hands of justice. Michelle played the role of Christina Sanchez, the only woman in the S.W.A.T team of Sergeant II Daniel Hondo (Samuel Jackson) and Jim Street (Colin Farrell) who was a former navy seal and demoted S.W.A.T. member. Being the only woman in the S.W.A.T., Michelle played another tough and strong role. In fact, she trained with a S.W.A.T. team and did most of her stunts in this film.
7. Girlfight
Girlfight is sports drama film and is Michelle’s debut film and breakout role. She played the character of Diana Guzman, a teen with issues on aggression who tried to channel her emotions by becoming a boxer, even though there was skepticism of trainers about her skills in the male-dominated sport. Michelle was commended for her great performance in this film and received the Independent Spirit Award and Gotham award for best debut performance. In this film, David Denby of the New Yorker described her as ‘a powerhouse star who could go all the way’. Girlfight was rated highly by many reviewers and is definitely a must-watch.
6. Fast and Furious
Fast and Furious is the 4th installment of the American action film series about street racing, heists and lots of car action. In this film, Dominic (Vin Diesel), along with his crew, tries to unravel the murder of her longtime girlfriend, Letty Ortiz (Michelle Rodriguez). Michelle proved to be a kickass personality in this movie as it required her scenes in high speed chases and road rages. This is the first film in the series wherein Letty betrays her boyfriend, Dominic, and her crew which she treated as family in the past installments. Michelle continues to prove her perfection with her given role.
5. Resident Evil
Resident Evil was the first installment of the sci fi horror film about a zombie infection in a secret genetic research facility of the Umbrella Corporation. Michelle played the role of Rain Ocampo, a member of the commando team in charge of guarding the facilities of Umbrella. Her scenes involved trigger-happy zombie shooting and some kickass martial arts.Although this movie received negative reviews from critics, it earned a massive 102$ million dollars. Michelle, again, played a role with a very strong personality. Michelle makes a big comeback in this film series in Resident Evil: Retribution, where her character, Rain Ocampo, was cloned by the secret organization.
4. The Fast and the Furious
The Fast and the Furious is the 1st installment of the famous American action film series featuring fast cars, dangerous heists and lots of action. In this film, Dominic Torretto (Vin Diesel) and his crew which includes his girlfriend (Letty Ortiz) were accused of stealing expensive electronic equipment. The crew teams up with Brian O’Conner (Paul Walker) in order to find the real culprits who also injured most of them during a robbery incident. Michelle, in this film, first showed how she really loved the power of fast machines. Letty was a woman who isa great mechanic and a street-smart driver.
3. Machete
Machete is an American action comedy film about Machete Cortez (Danny Trejo), a Mexican who was double-crossed by Michael Booth (Jeff Fahey) who set him up as a gun man for the assassination of John McLaughlin (Robert De Niro), a corrupt Texas state senator. Michelle, in this film, played the role of Luz, a sexy taco truck driver and leader of a group of illegal immigrants known as the Network. Michelle accepted the offer as soon as director Robert Rodriguez contacted her. “Listen, there’s a massive voice of American Latinos that are different from your culture and we need a voice, so let’s start making some movies.” said Michelle in an interview with Christina Radish. Being part of this film, indeed, had a special cultural significance to her.
2. Fast & Furious 6
Fast & Furious 6 is the 6th installment of the famous American action film series featuring Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Jordana Brewster, Ludacris, Han Lue and Dwayne Johnson. The film immediately follows the plot of the 5th installment which ends by Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson) showing a recent picture of Letty Ortiz (Michelle Rodriguez) to the Dominic’s (Vin Diesel) crew. In this film, Letty would be working for the Owen Shaw (Luke Evans) who was responsible for a recent attack on a Russian military convoy. Dominic and his crew help Hobbs upon his request to capture Shaw and for a chance to talk to Letty who will be revealed to have amnesia at some point in the movie. Michelle is set to reprise her role on the 7th installment, Fast and Furious 7.
1. Avatar
Avatar is an American epic sci film produced and directed by the famous James Cameroon. The film was set in the 22nd century where humans are in need of unobtanium, a mineral found in Pandora, a moon of a large planet from a distant star system inhabited by Na’vi which are humanoid species indigenous to Pandora. Michelle played the role of Trudy Chacón, a combat pilot who assisted the Avatar program in Pandora. Avatar was the first film to have ever earned $2 billionand even exceeded that of Titanic which was also directed by James Cameroon. Undeniably, this is a must-watch movie starring Michelle Rodriguez.