Superheroes, sequels, cars, beauties, beasts, minions — so many big movies this year. It’s exhausting, but these popcorn muncher time wasters are not always a waste of time. Here are the three strongest blockbusters of 2017.
Star Wars: The Last Jedi
[Full review]
With a deft mix of character-driven emotion, high stakes action and mischievous fun, Last Jedi waves a proud flag for the legacy of this cinematic universe while confidently taking big strides toward crafting a new one. Visionary talent Rian Johnson (Looper, Brick) now has the con as both director and sole screenwriter. His affection for the franchise, coupled with an innovative sense of character arc and storyline, combine for a freshness that respects nostalgia even while priming you to move beyond it.
Spiderman: Homecoming
[Full review]
There are several things director Jon Watts (Clown, Cop Car) and his enormous team of writers get right with this flick. First, they know we’re hip to Pete’s origin story, so the bite, Uncle Ben and all that needless angst are mercifully missing. Next, they keep the story tight and low to the ground. It’s a training-wheels villain – somebody too big for you or me to contend with, but no intergalactic menace or god waiting to annihilate global humanity.
It also helps that said villain, the “Vulture,” is played by the reliably nutty and likable Michael Keaton, who brings the perfect mix of psychosis and humanity to a role that could have easily been pushed over the top.
But mainly, Watts hits a bullseye with the film’s joyously entertaining tone. The result is easily the most enjoyable superhero flick of the year.
Logan
[Full review]
Bloody and bleak, tossing F-bombs and the franchise’s first flash of nudity, Logan is not like the other X-Men. The film relies on themes of redemption — a superhero’s favorite. Director James Mangold pulls ideas from Children of Men and Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome, but his film reminds me more of The Girl with All the Gifts. (If you haven’t seen it, you should.) The point? The children are our future and Logan’s real battle has always been with himself. Almost literally, in this case.
CLICK HERE FOR THE TOP 10 FILMS OF 2017
Read more from Hope at MADDWOLF and listen to her podcasts THE SCREENING ROOM and FRIGHT CLUB.