After making a name for himself thanks to science fiction projects likeAlien(1979) andBlade Runner(1982), English directorRidley Scottbranched out to other genres like neo-noir crime films. But in the decade at hand, he began gaining recognition from award associations, and started his collaboration with one of the generation’s most talented actors.
A couple of these titles can be hit or miss. But for the most part, Scott was at the top of his game throughout the decade at hand, releasing eight projects in total and collaborating with numerous Hollywood actors on multiple occasions. There should be something for everyone included herein. All that said, this is every Ridley Scott movie of the 2000s, ranked.
8A Good Year
There are three things you can expect from this list: crime films (ranging from plots that revolve around drugs to those that focus on cons), historical epics (one about the Roman Empire in 180 AD, the other about the Kingdom of Jerusalem before the Third Crusade). But on an even more consistent basis re: this list, you can anticipate the appearance of Australian actor Russell Crowe.
The film at hand marks the firstcollaboration of Scott and Croweon the list, their second movie together overall, and without a doubt the worst project they’ve ever taken part in as a pair.A Good Year(2006) follows Crowe’s protagonist Max Skinner, a failed banker from London who inherits a vineyard in Provence, France that once belonged to his father. Conflict arises when his “long-lost-cousin” arrives and claims the vineyard is hers, but it hardly matters.A Good Yearhad been rendered the worst Scott film of the decade early on in its plot, and that shows with the lowest placement on the list.
The opening scene ofHannibal(2001) is like many Ridley Scott films: inactive, plodding, and entirely uninteresting. What sets the aforementioned others qualitatively apart is that they grow in intrigue either in the following sequence, or soon thereafter.Hannibalremains largely pedestrian until its final frame. With Anthony Hopkins reprising his role (this timeof the titular variety) as Hannibal Lecter, there was great anticipation from fans for this entry in the franchise considering the massive success ofThe Silence of the Lambs(1991) from a decade prior.
But comparing the qualities thereof is rendered a rather jarring process, asHannibalpales in comparison to its Oscar-winning counterpart. Hopkins without a doubt steals the show, conveying a tangible sense of unease and terror around every corner of the plot. But he can only carry a single project so far on his back. There’s plenty to enjoy withHannibal, especially for fans of this ilk of horror films. But it comes up short of the meaningful character dynamics and unforgettable interactions that fans were hoping to see.
6Gladiator
In his first ever collaboration with Russell Crowe, the filmmaker at hand released his most popular film of the 21st century:Gladiator(2000), a historical epic following Crowe’s protagonist, Maximus Decimus Meridius. And off the bat, it’s worth noting that the name value of this project is mostly bolstered by its well-choreographed battle sequences and memorable lines of dialogue (that admittedly hinge on the attention granted bya sprawling scoreand the aforementioned action sequences) — “Are you not entertained?”, for instance.
But spectacle aside, there’s little worth writing home about withGladiator. Its lead actors perform admirably enough, with Joaquin Phoenix playing the antagonistic Commodus. And sure, he and Crowe even share a tangible dynamic that flourishes as the plot progresses. But from the indolence of its opening scene’s exposition dump until the overworked nature of its finale,Gladiatoris rather overrated when analyzing Scott’s filmography as a whole.
5Kingdom of Heaven
Throughout the late seventies and early eighties, Scott’s name essentially became synonymous with the genre of science fiction. However, he released1492: Conquest of Paradise(1992) in the early nineties, followed byGladiatorat the turn of the century. Then, there’s the film at hand:Kingdom of Heaven(2005), with just as much star power among its cast — Orlando Bloom, Jeremy Irons, Brendan Gleeson, and Liam Neeson — as its action sequences boast epic set pieces and well-executed instances of choreography. It’s his best historical drama, but that bar was set fairly low.
Scott has a few stints under his belt that were released by the studios as far cry versions of his legitimate projects. Thus, several of his “director’s cuts” have picked up traction over the years. One such example isLegend(1985), anunderrated movie from the eightiesthat saw more acclaim once Scott’s cut was released. A similar story played out withKingdom of Heaven. Despite a star-studded cast and keen editing tactics, critics were less than enthusiastic about its quality. And, sure: the director’s cut picks up a few missing pieces. But hackneyed dialogue with melodramatic performances do render this puzzle a trifle incomplete.
4Body of Lies
This film doesn’t just mark another collaboration between Scott and Russell Crowe — it’s the second of two partnerships on the list between the director at hand and a screenwriter named William Monaghan. The first script he ever wrote was forKingdom of Heavenwhich, on any given day, even wind up higher on the list thanBody of Lies(2008). Mostly, that’s by dint of some inconsistencies with the plausibility of the plot at hand. For those unfamiliar, it follows the CIA teaming up with the GID of Jordan as they track down a terrorist named “al-Saleem”.
Related:Every Crime Film Directed by Ridley Scott, Ranked
But its lead performers provide brilliant efforts — Leonardo DiCaprio as Roger Ferris, a field officer in the CIA’s Near East Division, and Crowe as his boss Ed Hoffman. And thanks to beautiful camerawork in tandem with fascinating choices of editing,Body of Liesgoes down as an impressive feat of filmmaking despite its storytelling shortcomings.
3Black Hawk Down
IfKingdom of Heavenfeaturesa star-studded cast, this entry boasts an entire galaxy of big-name actors. ButBlack Hawk Down(2001) also marks a step-up in quality on the list, as the prior entries have been humdrum submissions to Western audiences and award associations, at best. Revolving around the U.S. military’s 1993 raid in Mogadishu, the title hereof refers to a Black Hawk helicopter that crashes within enemy territory. And without a doubt — not just from behind-the-scenes perspectives of editing and cinematography, but also regarding the careful wit of its script —Black Hawk Downis among the best Scott films of the decade. Perhaps of his career, even.
But the director is far from the only figure worth noting. Josh Hartnett, Ewan McGregor, Eric Bana, Tom Sizemore, William Fichtner, and Sam Sheperd serve as mainline entries of the cast. Other notable names like Orlando Bloom and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau make their respective appearances too, and of course, the film at hand marks the feature-length debut of English actor Tom Hardy. Each performer is at the top of their game here inBlack Hawk Down, with fascinating choices of continuity in tandem with eminent shot value rendering this one of the 21st century’s most seminal war films.
2Matchstick Men
This rather underrated entry of Scott’s filmography stars Nicolas Cage as Roy Waller, a conman with critical cases of both Tourette’s syndromeand obsessive-compulsive disorder. He dupes unsuspecting customers by selling them overpriced systems of water filtration, with Sam Rockwell showing up as his partner. An intriguing premise off the bat with two talented actors standing front and center. But the plot truly kicks off when Roy’s daughter Angela unexpectedly appears on the scene and begins helping the men with their cons.
Related:Best Nicolas Cage Movies of the 2000s, Ranked
And the overall product ofMatchstick Men(2003) is without a doubt among the greatest Scott films of the 2000s. It’s paced to perfection with poignant performances from each of its thespians, and the back-and-forth nature of its dialogue results in some of the most memorable character dynamics on the list. The actors inMatchstick Menshare a tangible rapport with one another, and they define the quality ofMatchstick Menuntil its final, fantastic frame.
1American Gangster
In one of the most poignant and powerful performances of his critically acclaimed career, American actorDenzel Washington plays real-life figureFrank Lucas here inAmerican Gangster(2007). Known for smuggling heroin into the states via service planes returning from the Vietnam War, the film at hand chronicles his detainment by Newark Detective Richie Roberts, who led a task force to track Lucas down. And aside from the brilliance of the two lead performances in tandem with masterful direction by Scott, there are several more actors and creatives worth noting re: the cast and crew ofAmerican Gangster.
One of the greatest screenwriters of all time, Steven Zaillian penned the script. Meanwhile, other notable names among the cast include Chiwetel Ejiofor, Cuba Gooding Jr., Josh Brolin, Idris Elba, and Ted Levine. They all share tremendous on-screen chemistry, and each character brings their own dynamic to the plot itself.American Gangsteris a masterclass of filmmaking around every corner of its production — it’s not just the best Ridley Scott film of the 2000s, but one of his greatest projects in general.
