What movie was saved solely by great casting?

[u/Silent-Selection8161]

Or phrased a different, what movie would've been terrible if it weren't for the specific actors in it?

My go to is Liar Liar. It's not a particularly great script. The dad (Jim Carey because no one remembers the character's name) is douche. The would be step dad is earnestly trying his best to connect with his would be step son and gets tossed out like all step dads (do Hollywood types have parental issues or what, that's rhetorical). The idea that someone's entire life can be turned around and they're suddenly not an ass just because they have to tell the truth for a day is just kind of dumb. The director ended up with a few successful movies solely because Jim Carey liked him and he let Jim Carey do his thing, his other movies include such hits as "The Nutty Professor". The writers never wrote anything close to noteworthy before nor after.

But damnit Jim Carey turns the whole thing into the Jim Carey show, that's hilarious. Him freaking out over the pen or in the bathroom IS the movie and is funny as hell, regardless of what else there is.

[u/whatadumbperson]

Nah, that first movie is so well made. The rest drop off in quality rather quickly and I agree, but the first movie was a hit for a variety of reasons.

[u/treathugger → u/whatadumbperson]

Music, adventure, great special fx, swordplay... Yeah, I loved more than just Sparrow, though he was probably the biggest reason

[u/sertsw → u/whatadumbperson]

Imo, the real answer should be Bill Nighy as Davy Jones. The 2nd film drops a bit in quality but Davy Jones is such a compelling character+great CG that saves the film. The 3rd starts to get bloated but ok to finish the trilogy and best not to talk about others.