You know that feeling when you’re sitting on the couch, flipping through the channels on a Saturday afternoon/early evening with nowhere to be, and you come across a movie on cable that makes you think, “YEAH BABY, THIS IS THE ONE. MY NIGHT IS READY”? You’ve seen that movie hundreds, maybe thousands, of times, but it doesn’t matter. Every time it comes on, no matter what part it’s on, you’re watching it to the finish.
Bill Paxton was the king of those movies. And after passing away Sunday from surgery complications, we now have to look back and take stock of his prolific, yet very much underrated, career. For me, those essential Paxton movies were The Terminator, Aliens (the greatest movie of all time), Twister (quite possibly the most fun blockbuster of all time), Titanic, Apollo 13, and Predator 2. But he was in a seemingly infinite number of other fun, immensely watchable movies (most recently Edge of Tomorrow), and while the size of his roles would vary, he always made a memorable impression. He was an anchor you could count on in any movie, and his complete filmography rivals anyone else’s in Hollywood.
After hearing of Paxton’s passing, I started to think about how the types of roles he filled were dwindling in the age of superheroes, sequels and reboots. But that’s not doing him justice. I think roles like his will always be there – the occasional leading man, but often the best supporting character, making the most of his screentime – there just aren’t many actors as good as Paxton to fill them. He certainly deserves more recognition, because we won’t see someone else like him for a while.
So rest in peace, Bill Paxton. You’re having your spine ripped out by a Predator in heaven now.
