Anyone who's been to the multiplex more than a couple times this summer (and who hasn't?) has undoubtedly thought it to be a busy summer for movies. There were the usual blockbusters, many of them big, dumb, and loud, but a few intelligent ones snuck through. The R-rated comedies both impressed and disappointed us. And of course, there was the usual slew of sequels, prequels, and comic-book adaptations. As expected, another film broke the record for biggest opening weekend (that happens every summer) and at least a couple broke the $1-billion mark in worldwide box office revenue. But there were plenty of surprises as well, including unwelcome ones like the first Pixar movie to disappoint fans. (Why, Pixar, why?)
I don't usually do this, but since I found myself seeing more movies than normal this summer (thank goodness for movie-hopping; tickets are waaay too expensive), I thought I'd go through and review the big summer movies. This is different from my Best and Worst Films of the Year post; that will come at the end of the year as usual.And as always I appreciate your input, avid moviegoers. Let's jump right in.
Best Movie of the Summer
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2
Duh. As expected, the long-awaited finale to the eight-film franchise was a creative and commercial triumph, with bigger action, more heart, a compelling story, and (finally) a sense of closure. Harry Potter's fans are numerous, and while it's impossible to please them all, this film came pretty close. Regardless of what you thought of the film's unnecessary epilogue (how about 40-year-old Ron's comb-over and gut? Geez!), there wasn't a dry eye in the house during Snape's extended memory montage or a fan that wasn't smiling after Ron and Hermione's first kiss. The epic action is matched by its equally beautiful music and its ability to improvise from the source material, J.K. Rowling's beloved book.Whatever Daniel Radcliffe, Ruper Grint, Emma Watson, or even director David Yates do in the future with their careers, they'll always be remembered for the Harry Potter films, and this one in particular. It truly was the best way to end the series.
Will it get some Oscar love? Highly unlikely...although it certainly deserves it.
Best Original Movie of the Summer
Super 8
I feel like giving the best-film award to Harry Potter is kind of a cop-out; since it's the eighth film in the series, we're already emotionally invested and so no other film can really compete with it. So how about the most original film of the summer? Meaning a film that's not a sequel, not based on a novel or a comic book, or is a remake or a spin-off...there aren't many.
Luckily, we got a brilliant film from J.J. Abrams this summer. Not very widely seen, but still a good one about a group of kids in the 70s making a zombie movie who get pulled into a government conspiracy involving an alien loose in their small town. The high concept kept many people away, but those who took a risk got a treat: a funny and scary film reminiscent of E.T.- although this alien isn't friendly.
It's not perfect, though. A couple of plot holes and some admittedly unmemorable action setpieces kept it from being a classic, but an entertaining summer movie doesn't need to be a classic- it just needs to be worth the ungodly price of the ticket. This was one of the few that was.
Best Comedy
Horrible Bosses
Many summer moviegoers tend to focus on the action and sci-fi films, but several comedies come out as well, with big-name stars. These are typically R-rated, since the tentpole films rarely attract adult audiences. While most people expected The Hangover: Part II to be the comedy of the summer, that film was a virtual carbon copy of the original, with the same structure, design, even the same jokes, just set in a different location. As they shook off their deja vu, they found another film that is just as manic but far more original.
Horrible Bosses kind of snuck up on us, not really advertising itself until a few weeks before its release. So what a surprise we got when this star-studded dark comedy came out and we were treated to every working stiff's dream: a comedy where it's okay to kill your boss! The ultimate guy movie with three lovable losers in the leads: Jason Bateman, Charlie Day, and Jason Sudeikis all convincing us to never become murderers.
Best Comedy- Honorable Mention
Bridesmaids
This was more for the ladies, but guys can enjoy it as well. Kristen Wiig (who also co-wrote the film) gives a hilarious performance as a high-strung woman forced to watch her best friend walk down the aisle. Cruder than most films despite its nearly-all-female cast, this isn't your typical romantic comedy, but by golly it's one hell of a knee-slapper.
Biggest Surprise
Captain America: The First Avenger
I went into this movie expecting it to be cheesy, middling entertainment. After all, it is essentially just a prequel to next summer's The Avengers. But walking out of the theater, I couldn't help admitting to myself that I was wrong. Captain America might just be the best superhero movie of the summer (and we had a lot of them). It was self-serious, not ironic about cheering on the stars and stripes, had a brilliant James Bond-ian villian in Red Skull, a believable Boy Scout-like hero in the Captain, and an intelligent story to boot. Just don't go into it looking for a World War II history lesson.
Biggest Disappointment
Cars 2
The first Pixar sequel that didn't involve talking toys was also the first Pixar film to get a 'rotten' rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Many filmgoers didn't even bother; those that did got...the biggest disappointment of the summer.
Why the animation studio juggernaut decided to make a sequel to a film that had already put people to sleep was a question to many, but what they ended up doing with the sequel was the real head-scratcher. While the first Cars was a quiet little ode to American car culture, Cars 2 is a globe-trotting spy thriller, and with few laughs to boot! Pushing hero Lightning McQueen to the sidelines to focus on sidekick Mater was also a mistake, just one of many with this god-awful film from the studio that usually makes the world's best.
The 3-D making your eyes bleed didn't help either.
Biggest 'Meh'
Thor
I expected to really like Thor, but afterwards, I couldn't work up a lot of enthusiasm for it. Nor could I even work up a lot of loathing. It's a well-made film with a likeable hero and an intelligent story; there's not just much for our god of thunder to do. The majority of the movie is him either standing around in his cool-looking suit or yukking it up with a disappointing Natalie Portman. Definitely needed more action.
Let's hope Chris Hemsworth's Thor is better represented in The Avengers.
Best Movie to Wait for the DVD
Transformers: Dark of the Moon
I'll be honest. I didn't see this one.
I didn't like the second film, and was only mildly excited by the first film. This installment seemed more or less the same, so why bother? There was less talk about the robots or the action than there was about the fact that Megan Fox is gone. I still plan to see it; I just don't want to pay for a ticket to do so. Transformers 3 is the perfect movie for a Netflix queue: one that I'm willing to wait six months to see, because I don't really care.
Best Movie for Adults
The Help
You've always gotta have something for adults, especially women. And don't ever underestimate those crowds. The women are currently making this film a hit, just like the book before it.
The story of a white girl revealing the story of the oppressed black maids in the South of the 1960's has moved many people and sparked many debates. The book club favorite has quickly become the movie event of the summer- for everyone over 40.
Most Needless Sequel
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides
More of a spin-off than a true sequel, this film has Captain (you can't forget the Captain!) Jack Sparrow returning to search for the fabled Fountain of Youth. Joining him on his voyage is...no one you recognize. Getting rid of nearly all the characters from the original trilogy and moving Jack to the center of the action feels awkward at best and desperate at worst. Why can't Hollywood just let franchises end? This also represents the epitome of unnecessary 3-D in films- hardly any effects that serve just to up the ticket price. If the first three didn't need it, why should this one?
Unfortunately, despite almost universal hatred, the film was a big hit, securing the releases of the fifth and sixth films.
(Also, I was thinking of putting X-Men: First Class down under most needless, but at least that film was good.)
Well, those are my thoughts. I don't know about you, but I can't wait for next summer, when the blockbusters to look forward to include The Avengers and The Dark Knight Rises. Until then, good luck with those ticket prices! (And watch out for bad 3-D!)
