Top 10 Films of 2014 - FBC REVIEW
While I am hoping to release a video sooner or later, I thought in case I don't, I'll release my thoughts on the best films of 2014 from all of the ones I have seen, which means that I can't write about The Lego Movie or The Imitation Game sadly.
10 - INTERSTELLAR
If it wasn't for me having not seen The Lego Movie or The Imitation Game, Interstellar wouldn't be on this list at all. However, it is what it is and while the film itself wasn't bad, it certainly was disappointing after Nolan's previous work, and so scraped an average rating from me. The characters were dull, the script was overlong and despite most of the film basing itself on real science, the ending just seemed to be nonsensical and barely explained. That being said, Nolan's direction was on top-form, the actors did a great job despite the characters and script and Hans Zimmer chucked in another good score for good measure.
9 - THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL
I'm not familiar with much of Wes Anderson's work, but The Grand Budapest Hotel was a nice, creative film with an excellent cast, good score and a great sense of creativity from all those involved. I do think the ending fell a bit flat, and perhaps the multiple time periods is a little unnecessary overall, but its an enjoyable, fun and entertaining film nonetheless.
8 - THE BOOK THIEF
I feel I should put The Book Thief further up the list. Its an excellent film and I really liked it. However, upon reflection I realized just how bad the pacing was at points. Its a great film though with a strong cast, great production design, fantastic score and an excellent screenplay.
7 - EDGE OF TOMORROW
Put simply, I can't quite put my finger on what's missing from Edge of Tomorrow. Maybe its the lack of originality at points or that I would have preferred to have had someone other than Tom Cruise playing Cage. That being said, he's good in the role, so what is my problem? The beginning is a bit clunky as you'd expect and there are a couple of unexplained plot holes - Rita explains that Cage relives the same day over and over again, yet he's reliving the same two days over and over again - and a few other things. That being said, its a great film and well worth your money.
6 - CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER
An absolutely brilliant addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, The Winter Soldier explores a spy thriller with Captain America that proves to be a winning combination. After all, with the most patriotic and kind-hearted person imaginable as the main protagonist, it makes the mystery even more interesting. It doesn't use the Winter Soldier as much as it should, especially after the poor set-up in 2011's The First Avenger, but with great pacing, a strong cast and some truly terrific action, Captain America: The Winter Soldier is a great film that I highly recommend.
5 - DAWN OF THE PLANET OF THE APES
A fantastic sequel to a fantastic prequel, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes follows on the story of the Apes' rise to power with some great acting and some stunning visual FX. It is a bit clichéd, but its a great and thought-provoking watch. Highly recommended.
4 - LUCY
Lucy seems to have been forgotten by most people now. It just sort of came and went and few gave it much thought. Something really resonated with me with Lucy though, maybe because its Scarlett Johansson being badass or maybe because it really gelled with me and almost everything about it worked. I really enjoyed Lucy as an action flick, and while I do have my nitpicks, its a really great film.
3 - THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES
The Hobbit trilogy has divided some fans, with it adapting a short children's book into three incredibly long, detailed and much less child-friendly films. That being said, The finale to The Hobbit trilogy was engrossing, action-packed and all-round entertaining. It also has some pretty damn awesome moments, and Benedict Cumberbatch as a dragon.
2 - X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST
Easily the best X-Men film, I was almost going to put Days of Future Past first on this list. Everything about it works and it proves to be one of the greatest superhero movies of all time, even if it probably makes no sense if you haven't seen its predecessors. Working as a sequel, prequel and reboot, Days of Future Past got full marks from me.
1 - GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY
You could probably see it coming, but Guardians of the Galaxy was brilliant, hilarious, fun and a treat to watch. It may have a bit of a knaff villain and I really wanted to see more of Karen Gillan as Nebula, but seeing as there's a sequel coming in just over two years, there will be room for her then. Also, I don't think I've had such a big smile on my face after seeing a film. And no, I'm not going to do a hooked on a feeling joke...
10 - INTERSTELLARIf it wasn't for me having not seen The Lego Movie or The Imitation Game, Interstellar wouldn't be on this list at all. However, it is what it is and while the film itself wasn't bad, it certainly was disappointing after Nolan's previous work, and so scraped an average rating from me. The characters were dull, the script was overlong and despite most of the film basing itself on real science, the ending just seemed to be nonsensical and barely explained. That being said, Nolan's direction was on top-form, the actors did a great job despite the characters and script and Hans Zimmer chucked in another good score for good measure.
9 - THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL
I'm not familiar with much of Wes Anderson's work, but The Grand Budapest Hotel was a nice, creative film with an excellent cast, good score and a great sense of creativity from all those involved. I do think the ending fell a bit flat, and perhaps the multiple time periods is a little unnecessary overall, but its an enjoyable, fun and entertaining film nonetheless.I feel I should put The Book Thief further up the list. Its an excellent film and I really liked it. However, upon reflection I realized just how bad the pacing was at points. Its a great film though with a strong cast, great production design, fantastic score and an excellent screenplay.
7 - EDGE OF TOMORROWPut simply, I can't quite put my finger on what's missing from Edge of Tomorrow. Maybe its the lack of originality at points or that I would have preferred to have had someone other than Tom Cruise playing Cage. That being said, he's good in the role, so what is my problem? The beginning is a bit clunky as you'd expect and there are a couple of unexplained plot holes - Rita explains that Cage relives the same day over and over again, yet he's reliving the same two days over and over again - and a few other things. That being said, its a great film and well worth your money.
6 - CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIERAn absolutely brilliant addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, The Winter Soldier explores a spy thriller with Captain America that proves to be a winning combination. After all, with the most patriotic and kind-hearted person imaginable as the main protagonist, it makes the mystery even more interesting. It doesn't use the Winter Soldier as much as it should, especially after the poor set-up in 2011's The First Avenger, but with great pacing, a strong cast and some truly terrific action, Captain America: The Winter Soldier is a great film that I highly recommend.
5 - DAWN OF THE PLANET OF THE APESA fantastic sequel to a fantastic prequel, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes follows on the story of the Apes' rise to power with some great acting and some stunning visual FX. It is a bit clichéd, but its a great and thought-provoking watch. Highly recommended.
4 - LUCY
3 - THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIESThe Hobbit trilogy has divided some fans, with it adapting a short children's book into three incredibly long, detailed and much less child-friendly films. That being said, The finale to The Hobbit trilogy was engrossing, action-packed and all-round entertaining. It also has some pretty damn awesome moments, and Benedict Cumberbatch as a dragon.
2 - X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST
You could probably see it coming, but Guardians of the Galaxy was brilliant, hilarious, fun and a treat to watch. It may have a bit of a knaff villain and I really wanted to see more of Karen Gillan as Nebula, but seeing as there's a sequel coming in just over two years, there will be room for her then. Also, I don't think I've had such a big smile on my face after seeing a film. And no, I'm not going to do a hooked on a feeling joke...
Comments
Post a Comment