Each Film Directed by Jon M. Chu, Ranked

Jon M. Chu has cemented himself as one among Hollywood’s most dynamic administrators, identified for bringing vibrant visuals and heartfelt storytelling to the large display. He first captured Hollywood’s consideration by means of his scholar movie, which was a brief musical, made throughout his time at USC College of Cinematic Arts. His breakthrough got here with the Step Up sequel, the place he turned the unique movie into a world franchise. He saved a pulse within the performing arts world by means of the profitable Justin Bieber documentary Never Say Never and its sequel Consider. It was the success of Crazy Rich Asians that catapulted him to widespread acclaim, showcasing his knack for crafting tales that resonate with audiences whereas dazzling the display with attractive visuals. From high-energy motion to gravity-defying musical sequences, Chu has performed all of them with flying colours.

With a powerful observe document of making each crowd-pleasers and cultural milestones, Chu has now develop into an in-demand director. His large two-part Wicked adaptation is barely the start. His versatility from tackling motion, drama to musicals has confirmed to be useful as Chu has been tapped to helm a number of high-profile tasks. Within the pipeline, he can be directing a Britney Spears biopic for Common, another big Broadway adaptation, and co-directing an animated film based on a Dr. Seuss book, simply to call just a few. For now, we are going to check out his numerous filmography to this point on this article.

8 ‘Jem and the Holograms’ (2015)

Starring: Aubrey Peeples, Hayley Kiyoko, Molly Ringwald

Loosely based mostly on the Nineteen Eighties animated sequence, Jem and the Holograms follows the story of Jerrica Benton (Aubrey Peeples), a shy teenager who transforms into the dazzling pop star named Jem with the assistance of her sisters. She and her sisters additionally attempt to full a quest set by her late father by means of a sensible robotic created by him. The movie co-stars Juliette Lewis, Ryan Guzman and Molly Ringwald.

Jem was Chu’s ardour challenge as he’s a fan of the sequence, having watched it together with his sisters once they had been younger. Regardless of his private connection, Chu fails to seize the sequence’ enjoyable vitality because the film opts for a toned-down, reasonable strategy. The followers really feel that there are too many adjustments from the unique supply materials and the difference seems to be a by-the-numbers teen drama. The plans to modernize the beloved franchise for a brand new era, together with Chu’s goals to have Jem meet fellow Hasbro properties, Transformers and G.I. Joe, collapse. The movie itself bombs and is faraway from the theaters simply after two weeks.

7 ‘Step Up 2: The Streets’ (2008)

Starring: Briana Evigan and Robert Hoffman

Initially deliberate to be a direct-to-DVD launch, Step Up 2: The Streets is Chu’s directorial debut. The movie explores the world of road dance by means of a rebellious dancer named Andie (Briana Evigan) as she tries to slot in at a prestigious arts faculty. There, she clashes with authority however finds her rhythm with a various crew of misfits, resulting in epic dance battles that mashes classical coaching and road type.

Chu showcases his capability to convey vitality and creativity to the display early on by means of his debut. The dance sequences are shot cleanly with out too many cuts, making them visually gorgeous and supplementary to the story’s emotional beats. Chu’s understanding of motion as a type of expression elevates the movie, however critics nonetheless discover the plot and drama flat. Nonetheless, this movie’s success on the field workplace transforms the franchise’s formulation, spawns three extra sequels, and leads the dance movie trend in the 2010s.

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6 ‘Step Up 3D’ (2010)

Starring: Sharni Vinson and Adam G. Sevani

Step Up 3D follows a bunch of passionate dancers competing in a world dance competitors whereas dealing with private challenges that take a look at their teamwork and friendship. The movie sees fan-favorite Moose (Adam G. Sevani) return whereas introducing the viewers to a brand new era of dancers. Launched on the peak of 3D reputation, the movie makes use of expertise to its full potential, supercharging the dance sequences into a brand new dimension.

Chu’s capability to showcase the dance sequences continues to be on show, however on this film he takes full benefit of the 3D gimmick, making the dance strikes pop off of the display by means of immersive sequences. His path elevates the movie’s vitality, turning the performances into true spectacles. Critics famous a step-up (pun meant) from the earlier movie, because the movie’s plot and dance numbers gel higher this time round. Chu’s profitable stint within the Step Up franchise undoubtedly helped him put together for greater musicals later in his profession.

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5 ‘G.I. Joe: Retaliation’ (2013)

Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Bruce Willis, Byung-hyun Lee

G.I. Joe: Retaliation follows what’s left of the G.I. Joes after the group is attacked by Cobra. Led by Roadblock (Dwayne Johnson) and Snake Eyes, the remaining Joes group as much as save the world from Cobra’s sinister plans. Channing Tatum, Jonathan Pryce and Byung-hyun Lee (Squid Game), return whereas Bruce Willis joins the crew on this movie. With easy motion and the appearances of acquainted faces from the G.I. Joe lore, the movie is obtained higher by each followers and critics than the primary one, G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra.

In his first time dealing with an motion movie, director Jon M. Chu feels proper at dwelling on this Hasbro sequel. He swaps intricate dance actions with slick, action-packed set items. Critics notice that the motion scenes, particularly these involving Storm Shadow and Snake Eyes, are well-choreographed and shot for audiences to get pleasure from, making them a spotlight on this movie. Within the grand scheme of issues, G.I. Joe: Retaliation is based on a youngsters cartoon and doesn’t stray removed from action-movie conventions, however Paramount is happy with Chu as he was tapped to direct the third movie, which sadly by no means materialized. Whereas Chu has moved on to different tasks, he leaves the door open for a return.

4 ‘Now You See Me 2’ (2016)

Starring: Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Daniel Radcliffe

The 4 Horsemen return within the magic heist thriller Now You See Me 2, which is not called ‘Now You Don’t’, a lot to the followers and director Jon M. Chu’s dismay. This time, the illusionists face off towards a tech prodigy (Daniel Radcliffe) decided on exposing their secrets and techniques, resulting in elaborate twists and complicated illusions. Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Dave Franco, and Mark Ruffalo return, however Lizzy Caplan steps in to spherical up the crew, changing Isla Fisher on this sequel.

Chu was given the tall order to comply with up the primary movie’s success, and he executes it with a fresh energy and flair, delivering visually ingenious sequences that maintain viewers guessing. One sequence significantly stands out, which entails an intricately choreographed card trick carried out by the 4 horsemen to idiot a number of safety guards. Chu’s type matches completely with the franchise’s must showcase the wildly gifted ensemble forged whereas additionally giving room for the audiences to be awed by the film’s tips and illusions. The narrative entails magic, however even when it veers into implausibility, Chu maintains the spectacle and the characters’ chemistry balanced, guaranteeing the magic stays alive. A third film is slated to be released in 2025 with Ruben Fleischer as the director.

3 ‘Loopy Wealthy Asians’ (2018)

Starring: Constance Wu, Henry Golding, Michelle Yeoh

Based mostly on a bestselling guide by Kevin Kwan, Crazy Rich Asians follows Rachel Chu (Constance Wu), a Chinese language-American professor who discovers her boyfriend Nick Younger (Henry Golding) comes from one among Singapore’s wealthiest households. Rachel then has to navigate Nick’s opulent world in addition to meet his household’s excessive expectations. The movie is historic in its illustration for that includes a majority forged of Chinese language descent in a Hollywood manufacturing, a feat that had by no means been seen for 25 years.

With a private cultural connection, Jon M. Chu’s path is just dazzling, capturing the extravagance and vibrance of Singapore’s elite whereas grounding the story in heartfelt authenticity. Along with a stellar ensemble forged that features Michelle Yeoh, Gemma Chan and Ken Jeong, he manages to raise a cute romcom to a cultural phenomenon. His capability to mix humor, romance, and cultural nuance earned the movie widespread acclaim and field workplace success. A sequel has lengthy been within the works and, as per Chu’s recent update, the script continues to be being reworked.

2 ‘Depraved’ (2024)

Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey

Depraved, the long awaited movie adaptation of the Broadway smash hit, reimagines the traditional Wizard of Oz story, specializing in the unlikely friendship between Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo), the misunderstood future Depraved Witch of the West, and Glinda (Ariana Grande), the glamorous and impressive Good Witch. The primary half focuses on the time when they’re simply enrolled at Shiz College, following their tumultuous relationship as they attempt to discover their locations in Oz, whereas additionally dealing with an more and more discriminating world.

The 2-part film occasion is Chu’s most bold and largest challenge to this point. This film may be seen as a end result of all of Chu’s experiences making dance motion pictures, drama and musicals. Buoyed by two robust leads, in addition to an immaculate manufacturing design, this primary half is a triumph, with Collider’s own Jeff Ewing declaring it ‘majestic’. The musical numbers are breathtaking as they’re dynamically shot and each Grande and Erivo continuously hit all the proper notes. Regardless of a prolonged runtime, the film by no means feels sluggish and, as an alternative, Chu makes certain to present the characters room to develop and categorical themselves. Nonetheless, the story continues to be incomplete and can proceed in Depraved Half 2, scheduled to be launched in November 2025.

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1 ‘Within the Heights’ (2021)

Starring: Anthony Ramos, Melissa Barrera, Leslie Grace

Jon M. Chu introduced Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Tony Award-winning musical to the display with the film adaptation of In the Heights. It tells the story of a close-knit neighborhood in Washington Heights with Usnavi, a bodega proprietor with large goals, on the heart stage. Very similar to Miranda’s hit Hamilton, In The Heights boasts energetic, emotional musical numbers and a various forged of actors led by Anthony Ramos, Melissa Barrera, Leslie Grace and Corey Hawkins. The movie was highly regarded by critics and viewers, but stumbled in field workplace earnings as it was launched concurrently in theaters and HBO Max.

As soon as once more, Chu’s expertise within the Step Up franchise proves to be a robust level. All of the musical numbers within the film are amplifications of his previous work, with greater units, extra crowds of individuals becoming a member of in, and higher execution. Proper from the opening track, Chu manages to develop Miranda’s world from only a stage to a celebration of a complete neighborhood. The colourful songs pop off the display whereas audiences preserve intimate connections with the characters’ tales. The film succeeds in grounding the story in real-world authenticity whereas additionally coloring it in music. In a single attractive sequence, Chu defies gravity together with his cinematic imaginative and prescient as two characters dance on the walls of Washington Heights, proving that he improves with each challenge that he is concerned in, and he’s a pressure to be reckoned with in Hollywood for a few years to come back.

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