TOP 5 FILMS OF THE SUMMER
5. War Dogs: This is the perfect way to start the list. War Dogs is a solid little movie, but in past summers it wouldn’t sniff my top five. Why is it here? Simply put, it’s enjoyable. Maybe it’s because expectations were lower than buying milk at Wal-Mart, but it’s a good effort that sends you on your merry way. Miles Teller and Jonah Hill were a great pairing. Hill continues to show why he’s a sneaky good actor. It has something to say. It does it with style. Check it out.
4. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows: Again, I don’t love this film, but in this summer it makes the list. I freely admit this is a Ninja Turtle bias. The movie does its job, and is one of the rare cases of good nostalgia. It gives you exactly what you want. Bebop and Rocksteady. Casey Jones. Krang. Aside from the nostalgia, it’s a good movie. Am I supposed to automatically call this stupid because it’s four giant turtles fighting a mutated warthog and rhino while a portal from another dimension takes over the world? No. Too many critics make up their mind about this sort of film, and refuse to pay attention to what actually works. There is a strong dynamic between the four brothers. The action scenes are actually really well done. I’m not going to apologize for liking this movie. If this is the last Ninja Turtles film I ever see, I’ll be at peace.
3. X-Men: Apocalypse: I want to be clear – I like this movie. It’s a great film. When comparing it to the previous two X-films (Days of Future Past, First Class), it falls below the bar. But as a summer movie it’s clearly above the fray. There are moments of great writing. The acting is top notch. Many of the new characters (or re-introductions) such as Cyclops, Jean Grey and Apocalypse work exceptionally well. As I said in my review, it just doesn’t go that extra mile that transcends the good superhero movies from the great ones. It has its moments though, especially with Magneto, played flawlessly by Michael Fassbender. If you skipped this one because everyone told you it was mediocre, please go see it. I have no doubt when I watch it again, I’ll love it even more after the initial disappointment has now been subsided.
2. Star Trek Beyond: Now we get into the truly great films with no summer qualifiers. The new Star Trek series started by J.J. Abrams in 2009 has been nothing short of glorious. They are 3-for-3. While all the Sci-Fi action is exhilarating and crisp, it’s always the characters that sell this series. Beyond continues the great dynamic between all seven primary Enterprise crew members. Zachary Quinto doesn’t get nearly enough credit as Spock. Karl Urban is the man. And how can you not love Simon Pegg, who also co-wrote this fabulous screenplay. It all goes back to Kirk though. As iconic and recognizable as William Shatner was in that role, Chris Pine has more than made the character his own. Despite everything that works about this new series, Pine has always been the backbone. This film in particular adds real layers to Kirk, taking him from a cocky kid who only joined Star Fleet to show off, to finally embracing what it means to be a Captain. It’s one hell of a flick.
1. Sausage Party: This is the one movie of the summer that could remain on my Best of the Year List. On the day I learned of this film’s existence, I always knew there was great potential. As eager as I was to see this, the Seth Rogen of it all kept me on edge. I wanted so badly for this Rated-R animated raunch-fest to work. The idea of talking food coming to grips with their ultimate fate is an idea that has been untapped for generations of filmmakers. The fact that Seth Rogen and Co. were given the keys to unlock this door infuriated me. He held a lot of responsibility. While seeing a movie the previous week that squandered its potential, this is a movie that relished in it. Aside from being hilarious and edgy, it did what I wanted it to do – it made you think. There’s a great character arc. And while its themes are shoved in your face, it’s layered in them. You can tell how much effort went into this screenplay when you watch the film, and in a summer movie season, isn’t that all you can ask for?
Biggest Surprise (Warcraft): This is a real testament to director Duncan Jones. If Warcraft had been given to some hackneyed director like all video game movies are, this would have been a complete and utter disaster. Jones is able to take some dense material and run with it. It’s not perfect. It has problems that all fantasy movies have. What I appreciate about Warcraft is you actually care about the characters and story. You don’t say that often about a summer movie. From a visual perspective, the film is gorgeous, and should merit consideration for a Best Visual Effects Oscar, but it won’t. I’d be lying if I didn’t say I still like the first Mortal Kombat movie as the Best Video Game movie ever made, but objectively speaking, it’s probably Warcraft.
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