Baz Luhrmann motion pictures ranked from worst to greatest

Earlier this 12 months the Golden Globes crowned Austin Butler their Best Actor for his performance as the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, Elvis Presley, in Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis. And with Elvis being granted eight Oscar nominations too it seems to be like Luhrmann’s bedazzling biopic could have a profitable awards season.

Whereas most are specializing in the accent Butler refuses to drop, reward also needs to be awarded to the director that gave him this position. The beloved Australian filmmaker is greatest recognized for movies that mirror his glitzy stage beginnings.

From the Pink Curtain Trilogy (Strictly Ballroom, Romeo + Juliet & Moulin Rouge!) the place his directorial profession started to the Oscar nominated Elvis, a Luhrmann manufacturing guarantees camp costumes, pantomime villains and mashup melodies.

Learn extra: How historically accurate is Elvis?

By rating his movies thus far, Baz Luhrmann’s filmography can share in Elvis’ highlight.

6. Australia (2008)

Very like its blended crucial response on the time, Australia is a blended bag of a film which comes out as an arduous mess, and clocking in at 2 hours, 45 minutes, it is an uncomfortable watch.

What’s lacking from Australia is all of the Luhrmann emblems that audiences had grown to count on by his fourth movie. Whereas Australia makes an attempt to grapple with the nation’s historical past of colonisation and eugenics, the hammy drama of the movie takes away from some very darkish truths.

In Luhrmann’s makes an attempt to romanticise and villainise Australian historical past, he fails at each.

5. The Nice Gatsby (2013)

Luhrmann’s F. Scott Fitzgerald adaptation skilled a equally lukewarm reception from critics, because the prosaic mastery of the ebook was not nicely mirrored on this remake.

Gatsby showcases Luhrmann’s directorial ability at depicting massive scale hedonism, and the limp script is glossed over with magnificent get together scenes. Regardless of the grandiose scale of the variation that oozes opulence, the soundtrack additionally leaves rather a lot to be desired.

The electro-swing beats could also be an try and modernise the roaring ’20s, however the Fergie, Q-Tip, GoonRock monitor already feels dated.

4. Elvis (2022)

Elvis — a field workplace hit for the director in 2022 — is a fever dream of Presley’s life and Luhrmann succeeded in making a bedazzling spectacle worthy of the King fairly than a gritty factual biopic.

In true Luhrmann style, Elvis chooses glitz over a devoted adaptation to his supply materials and it really works wonders. Very like Austin Butler can’t think about himself as anybody however Elvis, there was no higher director than Luhrmann to encapsulate kitsch showmanship of the person himself.

Learn extra: The best music biopics

However Tom Hanks’ poor accent prevents the Colonel from the pantomime villainy audiences have grown accustomed to, detracting from Luhrmann’s film magic.

3. Strictly Ballroom (1992)

This off the wall romantic comedy is a wonderful debut that showcases all the pieces Luhrmann is about: gaudy romance at its greatest.

His directorial debut got here when he put his critically acclaimed play onto the massive display screen. Revealing a expertise and aptitude for the dramatic, Strictly Ballroom’s dance scenes and monitor selections can’t be faulted.

It’s a love letter to the ballroom scene that the director heralds from and the dance mum that raised him, providing up an outline of white Australia — warts and all — whereas sustaining an endearing eye.

2. Moulin Rouge! (2001)

Baz Luhrmann is a grasp at bringing the stage to the massive display screen and his Pink Curtain Trilogy finale Moulin Rouge! is not any exception.

The variation of the favored musical is successful as a result of each actor retains the drama and comedy of the musical stage, and Richard Roxborough’s creepy Duke is a selected spotlight of theatrical menace.

Learn extra: How Elvis stars compare to real life people

As no Luhrmann movie is full with out tragedy, Moulin Rouge! provokes tears by the ultimate curtain.

1. Romeo + Juliet (1996)

There has by no means been “a story of extra woe” than this Shakespeare play, and Baz Luhrmann does this tragedy a fantastic service in his adaptation. From the kitsch catholic idolatry that fills Juliet’s room, to the non secular spectacle of Tybalt reloading his gun, one may fill a ebook with the symbolism of Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet.

When trendy audiences consider Romeo & Juliet, they see Verona seashore, hear Rubbish’s Crush and film Mercutio’s gorgeous drag efficiency. Luhrmann’s adaptation takes Shakespearean verse, locations it on the East Coast and one way or the other delivers a retelling worthy of essentially the most well-known love story of all time.

Learn extra: Baz Luhrmann calls Elvis the Apocalypse Now of musicals

Very like each character is destined to fulfill their destiny, Baz Luhrmann is fated to directed sure movies. No different up to date director would have accomplished the capes of Elvis justice, no different would have had the gall to show Romeo + Juliet into camp gang warfare.

Audiences go to a Baz Luhrmann movie to droop their perception leaving encrusted in diamanté fantasy irrespective of how tragic the story.

Watch a trailer for Elvis