Rebel Without a Cause (1955)

The man, the myth, the legend. James Dean's breakout role, and his last. Rebel Without a Cause is the original teen angst movie. It's themes are similar to a thousand titles you've seen before, and from even more accomplished directors. But the mythos and sexiness that surrounds the legacy of James Dean really makes this film more special than it probably is. Lets face it, this is a cool film. Dean dazzles in his bright red jacket and tight blue jeans. He's a mysterious 50's heart throb who could have been the biggest star in the world, if he wasn't already. He pairs up here with Natalie Wood for a spicy romance. When he faces up with the greasers, especially in that incredible scene at the top of the Griffith Observatory, you root for him. They say don't bring a knife to a gunfight, well, consider James Dean the gun. Four out of Five Stars.