Years after his first appearance as Finn in star Wars Movies, John Boyega’s best performance can be found in a criminally overlooked part of the Small axe anthology, which received a 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Boyega was impressive in his role as Finn in the sequel star Wars trilogy, even as the focus of the films increasingly shifted away from him and focused more on Daisy Ridley’s Rey or Adam Driver’s Kylo Ren. Through a mix of magnetic sweetness and understated panache, Boyega managed to take Finn’s storyline to a higher level and deliver a strong performance.

As Boyega has left memories of the Star Wars franchise behind him, it’s worth reflecting on his best performance and how different it was from his time in a galaxy far, far away. John Boyega’s best performance to date came in a grounded 2020 drama that explores the true story of a pioneering member of London’s Metropolitan Police. Even compared to his strong work in films like They cloned Tyrone And The Women KingThis hidden gem from 2020 remains the most impressive example of Boyega’s talent and underlines what star Wars did not recognize the actor.

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John Boyega’s powerful cop drama based on a true story was a highlight of Small axe

The Small axe Movie “Red, White & Blue” features the best performance of his career from John Boyegaand underlines how much the star Wars The sequel trilogy did not make sufficient use of his talent. Small axe was a series of five films directed by Steve McQueen, all of which focused on various West Indian immigrants, their children and their families trying to survive and thrive in London between the 1960s and 1980s. Each of them dealt with the resistant racism and evolving ideologies of the time from different perspectives, from the cheerful and romantic Lovers Rock to powerful dramas like mangrove.

Red, White & Blue was one of the most haunting and focused on the true story of Leroy Logan. After witnessing his father being attacked by police officers in his youth, Leroy decided to join the Metropolitan Police and change it from within. The film explores the challenges Leroy faced in making his decision. While dealing with the racist actions of his colleagues on the street and their inexcusable treatment of him, Leroy faces criticism from his community and his own family before founding the Met’s Black Police Association. It is a powerful examination of policing and a condemnation of the system.

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John Boyega delivers one of the Small axemost impressive achievements in Red, White & Blueand showcases his range and talent as an actor. Leroy’s character is deceptively tricky, and the film’s script forces Boyega to explore multiple facets of his public and private persona. On the outside, he can be smooth and cool, and was even once used by the Met as a model for how it changes over time. The film’s story arc forces the character to face hard truths and display plenty of righteous anger. Boyega excels in both areas and makes Leroy’s depth seem natural.

The most impressive element of the film is the relationship between Leroy and his father. Played by an equally impressive Steve Toussaint, the back and forth between Leroy and his father Ken. The trauma of having survived in an openly racist environment like 20th century London affects the two men differently, and Boyega draws from their scenes together a vivid portrait of a man who must change the world. It’s a portrayal that is simultaneously sympathetic, charming, inspiring and even a little crazy, and a true masterpiece from Boyega.

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John Boyega has already played in Attack the block And Imperial Dreamsbut his role as Finn in Star Wars: The Force Awakens made the actor a star. Finn was an interesting character, a former stormtrooper who was plagued by his conscience. Boyega was very good as a former stormtrooperwhich shows a versatility that allows Finn to be heroic, subversive, and silly from scene to scene. However, the sequel trilogy spread its attention across multiple characters, and Finn was more or less a supporting character in the events of. Rise of Skywalker.

Finn could easily have been the driving force behind the trilogybut became a supporting character in Rey’s story. That’s a shame, because Boyega had more of a foothold alongside his stars. A stronger focus on Finn could have fleshed out the waning of his loyalty to the First Order in more detail, or highlighted his obvious feelings for Rey in an interesting way. He could have developed more confidence or swagger, or become a true leader in his own right. Small axe proves that Boyega is a fantastic actor, and star Wars has not fully exploited its potential.