If you find yourself experiencing a little Marvel-fatigue in wake of the superhero tidal wave the studio has produced over the last several years, "Guardians of the Galaxy" is sure to win you back. Likely, not since the original "Star Wars" has a space opera come along that has felt this fresh and fun. Indie director James Gunn and his team of production and visual effects designers bring to life a universe with a unique visual mojo and a classic pop soundtrack to boot. An extremely memorable cast of characters, highlighted by the hysterical Rocket Raccoon and his walking tree sidekick Groot, help compensate for a pretty conventional plot to make this the most fun you'll likely have at the movies this year.
The final chapter of Peter Jackson's "Hobbit" saga has arrived and it single-handedly makes the case that Tolkien's classic novel should have been adapted into two films instead of three (as was originally intended). It's not that this is a bad film, it's that it frustratingly shows us bits and pieces of what should have been the climax of the second film instead of a filler-stuffed film all its own. Some of the stylistic problems of the previous films are there, including the overuse of CGI, but it's the story and characters that really disappoint. All of the major character arcs lack a fitting emotional conclusion because the narrative has been stretched well beyond its bounds. It's still wildly imaginative from a visual standpoint and adequately entertaining in its own right, but we can't help but dwell on the fact that this is by far the weakest Middle-earth film Peter Jackson has produced.
"Edge of Tomorrow" represents something inherently lacking in today's Hollywood blockbusters: genuine ingenuity. There was a time when innovation was the name of the game in the sci-fi genre, but those days are long gone as studios have become more and more risk-averse. This latest Tom Cruise vehicle is a fun take on the "Groundhog Day" concept. It's set against the backdrop of an alien invasion sometime in the distant future when humanity fights back with soldiers in bulky mech suits and other advanced weaponry. Director Doug Liman ("The Bourne Identity") knows how to deliver wall to wall action while keeping the story focused and the audience engaged. The visual effects are creative and impressive and the premise never loses its novelty. This isn't a great film by any stretch, but it is a solid and definitely worth-while sci-fi action adventure.
"The Giver" finally gets a big screen adaptation over 20 years after the release of the ground-breaking young adult novel. Was it worth the wait? Yes and no. Jeff Bridges was instrumental in getting this film made and he is fantastic as the title character - a role he originally intended for his father, the late Lloyd Bridges. His performance really drives home the themes of the book. The other performances are not as stellar unfortunately. Brenton Thwaites is serviceable as Jonas, the protagonist of the film, but everyone else seems to be phoning it in a little bit. Even Meryl Streep is underutilized here. Director Phillip Noyce plays it safe in some of the film's darker moments that could've had a real impact had it been in the hands of a more daring filmmaker. Not a bad attempt, but well short of what the novel demands and deserves.
Christopher Nolan has become the most consistent and engaging filmmaker in the business and "Interstellar" is the perfect reflection of that. In today's world of sequels and reboots, Nolan has been able to coerce studio execs into funding big budget, innovative, and intellectually challenging epics. This is the latest such film and it's a good one. Matthew McConaughey stars as an astronaut who must save his family and the human race by trying to find a suitable planet to migrate to in another solar system. He is great in the film as are the supporting performers including Jessica Chastain, Anne Hathaway, and Michael Caine. The film tackles some heady concepts like interstellar space travel and relativity in a way that is accessible and interesting. The only misstep is the film's climax which is a bit of a stretch in both concept and execution. Nevertheless, this is a beautiful and challenging ride that is worthy of your time and money.
Due to Disney buying out Marvel some time ago, we figured it's about time for them to release a film based on a Marvel superhero team, right? With "Big Hero 6," you get just about everything you'd expect from both a Disney film and a Marvel film, and that's a good thing. This is a beautifully animated and very entertaining watch. The best aspect of this film is clearly the two leads, especially Baymax. He's both lovable and absolutely hilarious. Where it unfortunately falters a little bit is it's narrative. It's not quite as interesting and resonating as it makes itself out to be, and the rest of the Big Hero 6 team not only takes a backseat, but are rather dull and even annoying at times. Nonetheless, this is a fine Disney flick that is sure to at least entertain most audiences. It may not be on the same level as "Tangled" or "Frozen," but it holds it's own just fine.
Kevin Costner returns to the world of sports movies in "Draft Day." Like 2011's "Moneyball," this film follows the general manager of a professional sports franchise as he wheels and deals his way to a more competitive roster. While not as good as that film, "Draft Day" does a solid job of giving us a peek behind the curtain of an NFL front office. The strategy and tactics Costner's character uses to draft the players and trade the picks he wants are really fascinating. The personal drama of his character is not nearly as interesting. Jennifer Garner is shoe-horned into the film as a love interest and a subplot involving his mother and dead father is, at times, bizarre. Even with those underwhelming distractions, this is a worth-while behind-the-scenes look into NFL draft day madness.
Much of what made "The Amazing Spider-Man" a little underwhelming (retelling Spidey's origin story) is now out of the way with this sequel from director Marc Webb. Andrew Garfield is the best Spider-Man we've seen, nailing all of the web-slinger's mannerisms along with his signature sarcasm. His chemistry with Emma Stone as Gwen Stacey is even more endearing and believable this time around which makes it easy to invest in their characters and relationship. Unfortunately, the script is over-stuffed with characters and subplots which bog down the narrative flow of the film and distract from the really compelling elements. Regardless, this is a funny, exciting, and at times heart-breaking take on the Spider-Man mythos and is worth a look.
In 2011, "Rise of the Planet of the Apes" rose from among the endless sea of reboots and retreads to deliver a fresh take on the source material and became one of our favorite films of that year. Does this sequel live up to the lofty standard set by its predecessor? Yes! So much yes! "Dawn of the Planet of the Apes" gives us yet another fascinating look into the story of Caesar and his role as the leader of a highly intelligent group of apes, this time after disease has obliterated the majority of the world's human population. Andy Serkis is incredible again in the lead role, turning in another spell-binding motion-capture performance and should yet again receive Oscar buzz for his ground-breaking work. The story takes some refreshingly unexpected turns and asks some pretty profound questions about tolerance and leadership, all with some of the most impressive CGI ever created. This is one of the finest films of the year.
Hiccup and Toothless are back in this sequel to the spectacular "How to Train Your Dragon." While not quite as good or fresh, it retains almost every element that made the original so good. The protagonists are still as great as ever, the animation is jaw-dropping and there are some legitimately emotional moments. However, this follow-up suffers from some of the same problems that the other Dreamworks sequels have had in the past. The filmmakers tend to work harder for laughs by overworking the same jokes that aren't very funny in the first place. If you get past that, you'll find a worthy sequel that's highly entertaining and fairly engrossing.
"The Lego Movie" is one of those experiences that is tailor-made for a certain demographic. In this case, pre-teen boys with very short attention spans. The pace and dialogue in this movie are so erratic it'll make your head spin. That's not entirely a bad thing however. The jokes may be rapid-fire, but more than a few of them stick. The animation is phenomenal, convincingly selling the illusion that all of the effects were done with actual legos. This is a sometimes really funny, sometimes really annoying and always visually impressive animated film that may be worth a look if you can handle it's zany style.
Bryan Singer is back in the director's chair in this latest entry in the "X-Men" series which acts as a sequel to both 2011's "First Class" and the original films. The series definitely took a down-turn when Singer left the franchise and he certainly does not disappoint in his return. "X-Men: Days of Future Past" just might be the best film of the bunch. This mutant saga has always been one of the most thought-provoking superhero properties out there and this film carries on that tradition in fine form. Relatable characters and real-life parallels are woven throughout this unique story, this time with a time-travel element thrown in the mix. The returning actors are all fantastic in their signature roles and really take the story and the drama to the next level. If you're a fan of the franchise or the genre at all, you owe it to yourself to check this one out.
Much like last year's "Man of Steel," the latest iteration of the "Godzilla" franchise is high on beautiful and haunting imagery and low on story and character development. Director Gareth Edwards definitely knows how to stage an epic city-stomping sequence. His vision of the famous Japanese monster is exciting and, at times, awe-inspiring. Unfortunately, the humans in the film are as dull as any you'll see in the genre. The film hits its emotional high point in the first scene and steadily goes down hill from there. Despite the convincing nature of the visuals, the people never really act like real people would if giant monsters were terrorizing humanity, and therefore take the edge off the whole experience. This is possibly worthy of a look for the visuals alone, just don't expect much beyond that.
Captain America makes a triumphant return in his second stand-alone title, "Captain America: The Winter Soldier." Unlike the first film which felt like little more than a lead up to "The Avengers," this sequel does a much better job of standing on its own two feet. Steve Rodgers is as likable as ever and the plot is surprisingly interesting and, for the most part, works rather well. But it's the action sequences that really steal the show. Each fight is well choreographed and incredibly fun to watch. However, at this point in the game, it's apparent that Marvel is lurking in dangerous waters by releasing seemingly countless "Avengers" tie-ins. They're going to have to change their strategy fast if they want to keep their audience interested and grounded. But in the meantime, "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" is a worthy and entertaining addition to their superhero saga.
Tom Clancy's most popular character, Jack Ryan is at it again after a prolonged absence from the box office. "Shadow Recruit" tells the origin story of how Jack, played by Chris Pine, uncovers a financial terrorist plot and becomes the action hero we all know him as. When compared to other other action movies of the same ilk, "Shadow Recruit" doesn't really do a whole lot in terms of reinventing the wheel. While the acting is well done, the emotional connection to the characters is almost non-existent. The movie does a really good job, however, of staging some really cool action scenes that raise the intensity level when it needs to. While this isn't one of the best action films around (especially considering how competitive the action film market is), it is still a fun ride for what it's worth.
In the wake of back to back relatively down years at the cinema, 2013 laid the hammer down and gave us a slew of great movies. After much bickering amongst ourselves, we have finally decided our top 5 for the year. So sit back, relax and enjoy our picks!
5. Captain Phillips
"Captain Phillips" squeaks into the number five spot despite some stiff competition. This is one of the most intense films you'll ever see, anchored by a vintage performance from Tom Hanks and some sure-handed direction by Paul Greengrass.
4. Saving Mr. Banks
Despite being polished to a shine with Disney's trademark gloss, "Saving Mr. Banks" manages to pack the biggest emotional punch of any film this year. Emma Thompson and Tom Hanks (yet again) turn in great performances that anchor this very memorable story.
3. Star Trek Into Darkness
Lightning has struck yet again for J.J. Abrams and his cast and crew in their second crack at the "Star Trek" franchise. This new installment is every bit as good as the original and is the most fun we've had at the movies in years.
2. Gravity
"Gravity" is an unforgettable experience from beginning to end that stays with you long after the credits roll. The technological craftsmanship can be appreciated in any format, but there is certainly something special about seeing it on the big screen (in IMAX-3D if possible). This is a great movie that very nearly grabbed our top spot.
1. Mud
It was a photo finish, but Jeff Nichlos' "Mud" came out of nowhere this year to grab the top spot on our list. This is a beautifully crafted film that tells an authentic story with some of the most well-realized characters you'll ever see on screen. Like a Mark Twain story with a modern twist, "Mud" has a certain magic to it that we won't soon forget. It's also the best film of the year.
Ben Stiller directs and stars in this dramedy (mostly comedy) about a schlub caught in the minutia of a work-a-day life, dreaming of a more exciting existence. Stiller is good in the title role, bringing his signature dry humor to the proceedings while supporting performances from the likes of Kristen Wiig and Sean Penn really add a lot to the story. The film is beautifully shot in many locations around the world which adds an extra sense of wonder to the story that it would otherwise not have. The drama is a bit formulaic and the jokes (especially some extended day-dreaming sequences) are pretty hit-and-miss but when the movie succeeds, it's a lot of fun.
Director Paul Greengrass (director of the last two entries in the "Bourne" series) is known for churning out intense and highly stylized thrillers and "Captain Phillips" is no different. Tom Hanks stars as the title character whose ship is taken over by pirates and delivers one of his best performances in years. The real revelation, however, is Barkhad Abdi who plays the leader of the band of pirates and holds his own with Hanks in the first role of his career. The film is a little light on the character's back story, which makes it difficult to fully connect with them, but you can't help but empathize with their plight all the same. This is an expertly crafted thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end. See it.
"Frozen" proves yet again that Disney still has the magic to make a really good animated film in the vein of their musical classics. The style and presentation of this latest offering from the studio is very appealing on a number of levels. It delivers a great cast of characters, memorable songs, and great animation. The songs are what really make the film soar however, providing the best collection of tunes since Disney's glory years in the late 80's to mid 90's. The story doesn't quite live up to the music, as it is often predictable and a bit cliche, but that's a minor complaint. This is a funny and entertaining family film that will have you humming its mercilessly catching tunes for weeks.
Just like the deal Sony has with "Spider-Man", Fox has to release a new "X-Men" film every couple of years in order to retain the film rights to the Marvel brand. Inevitably, that arrangement leads to films like "The Wolverine." This is a bland spin-off story in the "X-Men" universe that is serviceable enough as a self-contained story, but ultimately doesn't accomplish much in terms of character development for Wolverine or the overall mutant mythos. Hugh Jackman is good in the iconic role that has defined his career, he just doesn't have a lot of interesting things to do. Like Marvel's "Iron Man," this character and series need an injection of freshness that this film can't provide.
Rarely does a film come along like "Gravity." It's not so much a movie as it is an experience. It's as visceral and intense as any movie to grace the silver screen and makes an in print on your mind that lasts long after you've left the theater. It's part special effects film, part thriller and part allegory of overcoming life's trials. Sandra Bullock gives the best performance of her career as the lead character who's personal story and fight to survive is really the heart of the film. Her character's back story could have received more attention early on however, as the film thrusts you into the action from the very beginning without much of a first act to establish a connection with the audience. That connection is made as the story progresses though and it makes for a riveting movie experience. This is one of the most jaw-dropping and intense films ever made and it's unquestionably one of the best films of the year. See it on the biggest screen you can find!
"Now You See Me" is the epitome of mindless popcorn drivel. Not that that's a bad thing necessarily, it just is what it is. The film attempts to emulate such heist films as "Ocean's Eleven" with mild success - enough to remain pretty entertaining throughout. It has a talented cast and some intriguing elements that keep it afloat for most of its running time. The film establishes from the beginning that there is going to be a major plot twist at the end of the movie which automatically raises expectations and keeps the audience guessing. That ends up working against the film as the twist isn't very satisfying or particularly clever. This is a pretty mediocre heist film in the end and isn't really all that worthy of a watch.
Good, solid comedies are becoming less and less common in today's Hollywood. Most of the minutia that floods the genre today are either extremely vulgar or extremely stupid (oftentimes both). Which is what makes "The Way Way Back" so refreshing. This is a feel-good coming-of-age story packed with legitimate laughs and its fair share of heart. Sam Rockwell stands out in a hilarious supporting role that completely steals the show. The entire film hinged on the success and believability of his character and he nailed it. The film as a whole is a bit raunchy at times but most of the laughs are well-earned. While not spectacular by any means, "The Way Way Back" is a great watch if you're in the mood for a good laugh.
In a somewhat paradoxical and self-important move, Disney has managed to make a movie about the making of a Disney movie. "Saving Mr. Banks" is the story of the adaptation of P.L. Travers' "Mary Poppins" from book to film and it just so happens to be really good. Emma Thompson is great as the cranky author who is so reluctant to give up her story and characters to mega-mogul Walt Disney (Tom Hanks) for fear of the spirit of her books being lost on film. It can be a bit sappy and heavy-handed at times, but overall, "Saving Mr. Banks" is a compelling study of how the life experiences and personal demons of an artist can heavily influence their art. This is one of the best films of the year.
