Mel Gibson the Actor or the director ?

I like both. Mel the actor is both an actor and an action star. He's not Bruce Willis. That guy truly plays himself every time. Mel is like Ford as in they play all sort of characters. As far as what I prefer, it's both. I like Mel taking on difficult characters and directing. As far as just acting in action films, I like him, but I prefer him playing interesting characters and directing films.

Mel is a brilliant director, no question. And I'd love to see any movie he directs.
However...the only bummer about Mel as director vs. actor is.....if he's BEHIND the camera, we probably don't get to see him in FRONT of the camera. And he's just so....damn.....good on-screen. People forget just what kind of insane range Mel has. He can do drama, period pieces, western, comedy, action, Shakespeare, war films, etc, etc... He's done it all, and always kills it. Heck, watch The Bounty....a film early in Mel's career, and tell me he's not (already) one of the best actors you've ever seen.

I hope Mel has a Third Act to his career similar to Sean Connery's. Sean did drama, action, suspense, etc....but also had some cool character roles, like Finding Forester, or Medicine Man. Other great actors with nice Third Acts: Paul Newman, Gene Hackman, Clint Eastwood, etc...

actor first

That's a tough one. Mel has definitely proven how great he is behind the camera. But since he's been in far more movies as an actor - and a great actor at that - I'll have to say I prefer Mel the actor.

Get off your soapbox while I play you a tune on the tiniest violin.

I want to see more of him as an actor. In my opinion, he is the most versatile actor to ever grace the screen. His amazing performance in Blood Father just reminded me how much I miss seeing the guy in movies.

I call both, as an actor he can play the hero, anti-hero or a violin, a comic book type character or Mr every man.

As a director he can direct the chaos of a battle or the focus of the characters emotion.

If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything.

As an actor he is excellent but as a director he is freaking genius!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBecM3CQVD8

^^^This. Mel is a very good charismatic star but as a director, he's on a different plane. I sincerely believe he is one of the few that can be granted such a title, many directors will do a great film but never with such consistency and few with the originality/stamp trademark like he has.

I am happy that he has turned into such a fantastic director because actors have a more limited shelf life. Look how Clint Eastwood has transitioned from a badass star to a badass director? And at 80+ he is still at it, not many actors can be that proficient at that age. Gibson can continue to share his creative vision and genius not only as an actor, but longer still, as a director.



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