I'm tempted to just leave this blog alone as a title. I mean, how does one elaborate on a statement like that? One may attempt to comprehend how or why Brendan Fraser is, in fact, the theatrical force that he is, but doing so would be no less in vain than attempting to comprehend the confines of the universe. Before long, one must invariably give up on trying to understand it, and rather, accept in awe the vast glory of the unexplainable with grateful solace.For most, it all started with Encino Man. Unquestionably a flawless performance as an unfrozen caveman adapting to the culture shock of early 90s grunge. For the savvy, perhaps it was the made-for-TV movie, Child Of Darkness, Child Of Light, in which Brendan's unflinching portrayal of "John's friend" was nothing short of breathtaking. But by 1994's The Scout (his fourth film of that year), Brendan had no doubt reached a level of international superstardom that would never be matched.
Now, despite my inarguable thesis, I find myself compelled to illustrate several points. While Brendan's work quickly reached a level of quality as to render all other actors unnecessary, it was not until much later in his career that he actually rendered himself unnecessary. That is to say, that Brendan, in effect, actually stepped out of himself in order to accomplish things on film that had never been attempted before and would never be attempted again.
One of those things took place in 2001, when Brendan signed on to a little project called Monkeybone, in which he co-starred with a cartoon monkey of the same name. No easy task to say the least, given that, as W.C. Fields once said, cartoon characters are incredibly difficult to work with, second only to animals and children. However, unfazed, Brendan promptly jumped back into action only two years later, again sharing the screen with animated co-stars, in Looney Tunes: Back In Action. Impressive? You bet.
It's hard to imagine that an actor who has accomplished so much would still have so much yet to give. Likewise, it's hard to imagine that the Sun just keeps burning. But it does. One of Brendan's latest Earth-shattering endeavors rained down upon Hollywood in a jarring double-whammy. In 2006 and 2008, he starred in the major motion picture releases of Journey To The End Of The Night and Journey To The Center Of The Earth, respectively.
As if this wasn't noteworthy enough (most actors never even star in one "Journey To The..." movie in their entire careers, much less two "Journey To The..." movies within the span of only two years -- that's an average of one "Journey To The..." movie a year!), I would be remiss not to mention that the latter was shot in 3-D. If there's anything more difficult than acting opposite a cartoon; even more difficult than acting as a cartoon, it's acting in 3-D. That's one whole D of acting beyond what any other actor has ever accomplished -- even including his JTTCOTE co-actors! A feat which he executed, not only with courage and bravado, but with a raw tenderness, the likes of which the world has never seen.
In summary and in conclusion, I realize that this has been an exercise in self-evidence. But sometimes we all need to hear things that we already know. Let this be your daily reminder of the majesty that is Mr. Brendan Fraser. I recommend downloading your favorite photo of Brendan and setting it as your wallpaper (if you haven't already). And when you turn on your computer and gaze upon his staggering physiognomy each day, know that the world is a better place for his being here, and that you are fortunate to exist in a time and place in which your reality is shared with, not only the greatest actor of our time, but the greatest human being of all time. Including the future.
Appreciatively,
Mitchell
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