By Sarah Baker and Vickie Bonnema
Over the summer there were many block buster hits and misses, but one thing’s for sure; Hollywood is beginning a new era in the entertainment business. From new and improved CGI to sequels that are better than we expected, new celebrities and Oscar-worthy masterpieces are hitting the market of ravenous movie buffs. Even if these movies don’t quite hit award material, they entertained and satiated movie-goer’s ever increasing thirsts in the dry summer heat.
The Heat
A laugh-out-loud crude comedy of two female cops in Boston on the hunt for one of the biggest drug busts in the city’s history. This profanity-filled riot was a lot to take in; but the kind of ridiculous stupid comedy that everyone enjoys. If you were looking for some nonsensical entertainment, then you found it here. Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy pair as a hilarious dynamic duo of the potty-mouthed bad cop (McCarthy) and stuck-up perfectionist (Bullock). As the storyline unfolds their relationship strengthens as do clues of who’s behind the drug heist. This story does not have much depth to it but is worth a good laugh and great for some lighthearted fun.
Pacific Rim
This Sci-Fi alien thriller is unlike any done before. Instead of aliens from space, these giant monsters are coming from the Pacific Ocean! The Kaiju, giant monstrous aliens from another dimension, start terrorizing Pacific coastal cities Jaegers (Human controlled robot giants) were created to fight the beasts and protect the human race. Beyond a simple storyline there isn’t much to note about this movie besides the awesome effects and breathtaking CGI. With a noteworthy cast including Charlie Hunnam, Idris Elba and Rinko Kikuchi, these actors bring in a captivating movie that you must see in theatres. Trust me, it’s worth it.
Despicable Me 2
One of many sequels released this summer, Despicable Me 2 definitely met the viewer’s expectations. This movie did not fall short of charm, comedy and fun in the world of ex-bad guy Mr. Gru (Steve Carrell) and his adorable adopted daughters Margo (Miranda Cosgrove), Edith (Dana Gaier) and Agnus (Elsie Fisher). After dropping his bad-guy profession Gru was focusing on a new line of business–and his three mischievous daughters–until recruited by the Anti-Villain League and partnering with Lucy (Kristen Wiig) from the organization. Lively and entertaining for all ages, Despicable Me 2 is definitely a keeper for animated sequels.
The Mortal Instruments
Our latest summer movie blockbuster and much anticipated teen series, The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones has been long awaited and is most definitely not a disappointment. Following the book in a most uncanny manner, this movie did better than most when following a series. Clary (Lily Collins), a rather normal teen living in New York with her mother, was never odd or unusual when growing up. She was content, close to her best friend Simon (Robert Sheehan) and nothing went awry. Until she found out that she was part of an entirely different world, Downworld. Thrown into a group of warrior teens, Jace (Jamie Campbell Bower) protects her from assailants looking for the Mortal Cup. A thriller and riveting movie for teens and adults, The Mortal Instruments is another Sci-Fi intrigue that we can’t get enough of.
The Wolverine
Similar to Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, this movie is only worth the money if your only ambition is to see more of that main character. Without a long lasting impression or deeply rooted theme, The Wolverine acts as a sort of filler between the old X-Men franchise and the obvious return they are planning. The location of the film is particularly interesting, as the entire storyline is set in Japan, where every Japanese stereotype imaginable is portrayed. However, besides short jabs at the society and towards Wolverine’s inability to at least pretend to be a human being, the movie was dry in humor, trying too hard at most parts and charming at best. If you’re looking for a loud action-adventure with ninjas, samurai, and a bunch of really pretty Japanese women who need saving, this one’s for you. (As long as that’s the only thing you’re looking for.)
Turbo
The first thing that comes to my mind when writing about this movie is “tomatoes”. I’m not sure if this is a good thing or bad thing. Turbo ranks pretty well on my list of kid movies. (And by kid movies, I mean kid kid movies. This movie makes sugar cubes look like little blocks of dirt, it’s so innocent.) It’s an uplifting story about the little snail who wanted to be a racer, managed to turn into a little mini race car, and competed in the Indy-500. How cute is that? Of course, there were a few little sparkles during the movie, a couple scenes that really got my family laughing, and the characters turned out to be a joy to get to know. For a light, happy, inspiring film about snails, check out Turbo. (And you might want to keep the popcorn unsalted for this one…)
Man of Steel
In all honesty, Jack Snyder’s Man of Steel wasn’t the great epic story we were all expecting; and by “we”, I mean the group of rabid DC fans that went to see it. Expecting a fascinating story that did our favorite star-spangled alien justice, we found that during his epic adventure, he was lost. The story of Superman, we thought, wasn’t about muscles or stiffening up to fight against evil, as Batman tales often turn into; Superman held the same place in our hearts as Spiderman does: kind, light-hearted, and with a very clear sense of right and wrong. Naturally Superman would have a difficult struggle with justice in his origins, as we expected and saw, but the true nature was never revealed throughout the entire film. The visual effects and cast were fabulous, but without that human sparkle that Superman is supposed to give, the whole thing kind of loses its “Super”.
Star Trek: Into Darkness
I can say without hesitation that Into Darkness was a loving present to Trekkies everywhere. This movie was an absolute gem, holding the perfect amount of character angst, bonding, and development while still getting in a joke here and there. Following the first reboot movie of the Star Trek franchise, Into Darkness follows Kirk, Spock and the gang into an introspective adventure. Kirk is faced with the consequences of his actions as a figure of responsibility, and Spock must face his emotions, as they may be the logical route to a positive outcome. What is the cost of responsibility, maturity, and morality? And how on earth did J.J. Abrams manage to re-weave an old Star Trek story into a refreshing, fascinating movie? As long as you go into the theater with an open mind, you’re welcome to find out.
