McG first made a name for himself as a music video director, working with popular bands like Sugar Ray and Smash Mouth—yes, that same McG who went from crafting catchy visuals to taking Hollywood by storm. With his feature film debut, Charlie’s Angels (2000), McG burst onto the big screen with high-octane energy and a flashy style that turned heads. Sure, critics were quick to point out the lack of depth, but there was no denying the fun, campy charm that made audiences take notice—and made McG a director to keep an eye on.
But as fast as he rose, the backlash followed. His sequel, Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle (2003), delivered even more glitz and visual flair, yet many felt it sacrificed story coherence and meaningful character arcs. It wasn’t just the reviews that stung—McG also faced public scrutiny over his well-known fear of flying, which ultimately grounded his dream of directing the much-anticipated Superman reboot. Talk about a setback.
Still, McG didn’t let the setbacks define him. He shifted gears and found solid footing behind the scenes, stepping into the role of executive producer for TV hits like Supernatural (The WB/CW, 2005– ) and Chuck (NBC, 2007–12). The latter especially earned praise for its clever writing and heart, even if it never quite captured a massive audience. Through it all, McG stayed in the game, learning, adapting, and biding his time.
Then came Terminator Salvation (2009)—a pivotal moment. By this point, McG was determined to prove he wasn’t just a flash-in-the-pan director. This was his chance to reclaim the momentum, to show the industry and the fans that the spark he showed back in 2000 was still very much alive. And so, with cameras rolling once again under his command, McG aimed to do what he does best: deliver bold, energetic storytelling that only he could bring to life.
McG’s filmography includes a range of projects, but his highest-rated work to date is Música (2024), which has received widespread acclaim. On the other end of the spectrum, his lowest-rated film remains Stay Alive (2006), which didn’t resonate as strongly with audiences or critics. While he’s known for several other movies in between, these two titles stand out as the peaks and valleys of his career so far.