Temuera Morrison is well-known for his many roles in the Star Wars universe. He first appeared in Attack Of The Clones as bounty hunter Jango Fett, returning for Revenge Of The Sith as the face of every clone soldier, including Commander Cody. Morrison continued to be involved in the franchise ever since, lending his voice to numerous video games. Recently, he is back in the spotlight because of his involvement in The Mandalorian and the exciting upcoming series The Book Of Boba Fett.
Despite the New Zealand-born actor's heavy involvement over the past 20 years, Star Wars is far from all there is to his successful career. Though some movies have fared better than others, he has a wealth of excellent work in his filmography that has nothing to do with that galaxy far, far away.
Best: Tracker (85%)
After a confrontation that ends in the death of a British soldier, Boer War veteran Arjun van Diemen is hired to hunt down and capture the man wanted for his death. Temuera Morrison stars as Kereama, a Maori man falsely accused of murder.
Directed by Ian Sharp and starring Ray Winstone, Tracker weaves a tale of duty versus morals as van Diemen wrestles with his conscience when he realizes that his bounty is an innocent man.
Worst: The Island Of Dr. Moreau (24%)
A peaceful island is more than it seems when a rescued man discovers that it's home to a mad doctor who has discovered how to combine animal and human DNA into living mutant experiments. Morrison doesn't look quite like himself in this H.G. Wells adaptation, playing the cruel Azazello, a dog hybrid and one of Dr. Moreau's "children."
This sci-fi thriller may have a star-studded cast including Marlon Brando, Val Kilmer, and David Thewlis, but it was a swing and a miss when it came to critics and audiences.
Best: Dora And The Lost City Of Gold (85%)
Few people knew what to think at the announcement that Michael Bay was set to produce an action flick adaptation of Dora The Explorer, but, somehow, the production team pulled it off.
Shamelessly unafraid to lean into the ridiculousness of the premise, Dora And The Lost City Of Gold welcomed big names to the project such as Danny Trejo as Boots and Benicio del Toro as Swiper, and the film managed to score an 85% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Worst: Blueberry (22%)
The year is 1870. In the time of gold fever and warring Native American tribes, Mike Blueberry is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to protecting his town in this Western starring Vincent Cassel, Michael Madsen, and Juliette Lewis. Also known by the title "Renegade," the name change didn't make a difference when it came to critical review, and the film only received a 22% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Best: The Patriarch (86%)
Temuera Morrison steps into the lead role as Grandfather Mahana as the bitter secrets of two, long-time feuding families are uncovered in an intimate story of rivalry and redemption. Set in New Zealand in the 1960s, The Patriarch is based on a novel written by the author of another Maori tale, Whale Rider, which was also adapted into a film in 2002.
Worst: From Dusk Till Dawn 3: The Hangman’s Daughter (22%)
Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino's vampiric spin on a Western explores the escapades of two criminals that end up at a vampire-ridden truck stop. Set 100 years before the original film, in early 1900s Mexico, From Dusk Till Dawn 3: The Hangman’s Daughter serves as a prequel to the franchise.
Unfortunately, the third installment didn't do as well as the original, and critics and fans alike gave it a universal thumbs down.
Best: Once Were Warriors (93%)
Based on a novel of the same name, Once Were Warriors boldly refuses to shy away from difficult topics such as alcoholism and domestic abuse as it takes on the deep struggles of a poverty-stricken Maori family. Morrison leads the film as Jake Heke, a man with a drinking problem and a nasty temper that takes out on those around him, including his wife and children.
Worst: Couples Retreat (10%)
Stuck in a rut in their marriage, a couple plans a trip for themselves and their friends to a tropical island marriage retreat in hopes of mending the many issues that plague their relationship. Morrison plays Briggs, the assistant to the resort's head therapist.
Despite its impressive cast and being co-written by Jon Favreau, much of the comedy failed to land. Critics were less than impressed with the tropical rom-com, giving it a mere 10% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Best: Moana (95%)
A brave and headstrong chief's daughter sets off on a voyage to save her village in this epic Disney tale inspired by the many Pacific Island cultures and their folklore. Moana teaches the valuable lesson to never hide from who you are meant to be, even if it means taking risks. Morrison voices Chief Tui, Moana's overprotective but well-meaning father, and the Chief of Motunui.
Worst: Speed 2: Cruise Control (4%)
Starring Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock, Jan de Bont's action-thriller Speed took audiences on the adventure of a lifetime when a bus strapped with a bomb is forced to stay over 50mph or risk killing every innocent passenger on board.
Despite its prodecessor's critical and commercial success, Speed 2 didn't manage to earn praise or ticket sales. Maybe it was the lack of Keanu Reeves, or maybe fans just didn't believe that Sandra Bullock could get herself into this situation more than once in her life.