by Adam Lee Buller

Created on: June 07, 2010

Tom Cruise is one of the finest actors of our time. Now married to Katie Holmes the 46 year old star is also one half of one of the most wrote about couples in celebrity magazines and newspapers. Is this reputation justified? To cast Judgement let’s remember a few of his best and most well known films.

Top Gun - 1986

In the film Top Gun, Cruise plays a young, cocky fighter pilot at the top of his game. However after a training accident leaves one of his friends dead he begins to lose his nerve. The film then follows his battle against the main enemy we all face, our inner fear. With a love story on the side to spice things up Top Gun does not disappoint and is, in fact, a must see classic film which launched Tom Cruise’s Career. Top gun focused on one side of Tom Cruise, his youthful arrogance! Our next film however introduced a different side.

Rain Man - 1988

Rain man starts by casting Cruise in a very similar role to Top Gun, Young and arrogant. Things begin to change however when his father dies, Cruise discovers he has an estranged autistic brother to whom, almost all of his father’s estate has been left. Cruise decides to become the legal guardian of his autistic brother to gain control of the estate. He soon finds out however, that he may have bitten off more than he can chew. We also now see a very different side to Tom Cruise as he begins to bond with his brother. As the money starts to take a back seat, Tom reveals a more caring side as his brother’s welfare becomes his primary interest.

Days of Thunder - 1990

This is a story based on Cars, adrenalin and man’s need to come out on top. There has to be a love story of course but what makes this love story even more intriguing is the on screen chemistry so evidently present between Tom and his future wife Nicole Kidman. For Cruise fans this is a must!

Mission impossible Trilogy

These films showcase Tom’s immense ability to play a hero. Starring as Ethan hunt, a secret agent who spends his time saving the world from disaster and seducing women, the movies keep you on the edge of your seat and wondering why you are not a secret agent!

The Last Samurai - 2003

This movie truly is an ode to Tom Cruise. Tom is able to showcase his good looks in the vast array of slow motion scenes. This self obsession may not be to everyone’s taste but the storyline will more than make up for it. Tom cruise is an American soldier sent to train a Japanese army to invade and remove the indigenous samurai from their villages. Tom however is taken prisoner by the samurai and becomes attached to their way of life eventually joining them in helping to defend the land he was hired to capture.

The list of classic Tom Cruise films is extremely long and I know I may have missed some great titles. Interview with the vampire, Vanilla Sky, Jerry Maguire and more. All these movies need to be watched to truly appreciate the undeniable talent and star that is Tom Cruise!   

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