2024 was a year of two halves for cinema; on one side we had many crowd-pleasing titles and plenty of bold genre efforts that made their mark. But on the other, we had another round of disappointing sequels and big-name blockbusters. The contrast between the most popular releases and standalone films was strong and while I didn’t see as many films over the last twelve months, I still have plenty of recommendations from my usual categories. Let’s take a look back at some of my personal picks...
Films That Just About Made Par
Most audiences were pleased with the latest effort in the Alien franchise; Romulus gets all the important bits right, but falls short when it comes to new ideas and characters that get you invested. Still, we now have more entries on the way.
The Monsterverse continued with a standard round of destruction, but it certainly wasn’t converting anyone who hadn’t enjoyed previous entries. Sharing the big screen with Godzilla: Minus One, the franchise is now tasked with raising the emotional stakes.
Just like last year’s Napoleon, Ridley Scott satisfied some audiences and left others feeling underwhelmed. Gladiator II is an entertaining sequel, but it could never hope to match the original from 2000.
Most Underappreciated Release
When you get past the lacklustre opening act, A Quiet Place: Day One delivers a much more personal and self-contained story. Two people trying to find solace amid the apocalypse is a surprisingly poignant direction before the next mainline entry.
This ultra-violent revenge tale was a solid directorial debut for Dev Patel, but when compared to the likes of John Wick it seemed to get overlooked. Any fan of action needs to have Monkey Man on their watchlist.
This dark and twisted piece is easily the most unsettling horror film of the year and received high acclaim, though general audiences weren’t so enthused. The visceral performances from Maika Monroe and Nicholas Cage make it worth the price of admission.
Most Disappointing Film
The opening and closing action scenes are a lot of fun, but I was ultimately let down by Deadpool and Wolverine. For me it lacks the whip-smart pace of the previous two films and relies too heavily on fan service with little depth.
Alex Garland’s take on a second American Civil War is very well produced, but it has nothing to say about the nation, its divisions or the ethics of the journalists who cover the deadly conflict. The film stands as a large let-down.
1st: Joker: Folie à Deux
With the original being so highly acclaimed, it’s baffling that the sequel to Joker would take such a hard left turn. Just about every element is a gigantic step down with a litany of misguided decisions.
Biggest Audience To Critic Split
3rd: Kung Fu Panda 4
This fourth entry from Dreamworks received mostly positive reviews from critics, but many viewers were left underwhelmed with many feeling it didn’t compare to its predecessors and took several steps down.
2nd: Moana II
Many critics and audiences bemoaned Moana II’s weaker story and characters, but that didn’t stop it from becoming one of the year’s highest grossing films. Disney will certainly be feeling confident about the upcoming live-action remake.
1st: Deadpool and Wolverine
While it ended up being the lowest rated of the three Deadpool films, this sequel was the biggest crowd-pleaser of all, drawing in legions of fans who had waited years for the grand team-up. It received another surge in popularity among the YouTube reaction community.
Best And Worst Trends
Best: A great year for the horror genre
The Substance, Smile 2, Alien: Romulus, Longlegs and other titles made 2024 a big year for horror. Those looking to get scared in the auditorium had plenty of twisted stories to choose from. The genre has moved on from an endless series of jump scares and into more inventive territory with a strong commitment to solid practical effects; here’s hoping this continues in the years ahead.
Worst: Failed Follow-Ups and Passion Projects
While some entries like Inside Out 2 did deliver, the blockbuster scene still played host to several big disappointments. Many audiences turned their noses up at directors like Francis Ford Coppola, Todd Phillips and even Ridley Scott as their projects came up short. Joker 2 and Megalopolis were the biggest offenders by far; creations that fared poorly with viewers and critics alike.
My 4 Worst Films Of The Year
M. Night Shymalan's latest flick may feature some solid staging and a good lead performance or two, but it fails to build tension or a compelling story. You're better off sticking to earlier releases from his filmography.
While it may be a slight improvement on Part I, Snyder’s futuristic universe still has no chance of living up to the best in the genre. The director continues to make the same missteps with hollow storylines and weak characters.
Francis Ford Coppola’s return to the big screen was an exercise in hollow tedium. Megalopolis has so little to offer outside of dazzling visuals, making it more suited to an art gallery than the silver screen.
Five years on from the original’s huge success, Joker: Folie à Deux provides the blueprint on how not to do a sequel. It’s an awful musical that wastes the talents of Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga on a story that goes nowhere.
My Top 5 Best Films Of The Year
The modern Planet of the Apes continues to deliver with the fourth main entry, one that is starting to build the bridge to the original classics. It’s great to see a smart blockbuster do so well.
Intense, sustained performances are central to Anora’s success. The film succeeds at diving into an often underrepresented perspective and takes the audience through all the unpleasant details of a whirlwind romance.
By far the craziest film of the year, The Substance is a love-letter to body horror that has a lot to say about beauty standards and the pitfalls of celebrity culture. If you can stomach the gore, it’s a unique title you won’t forget.
George Miller shows no signs of slowing down with this brilliant prequel; the action, expansion of the world and main performances are all excellent. It’s also very refreshing to see Chris Hemsworth take on a more villainous role outside of superheroes.
The second half of Denis Villneuve’s fantastic adaptation is everything a blockbuster should be; smart, weighty and powerful. It’s the most thrilling and awe-inspiring production of the year and a masterful adaptation of the source material.
2024 is polished off; looking ahead to next year, we’ll see the return of many big icons to the big screen including Superman, Captain America, and Bridget Jones. On top of that we also have long-awaited sequels like 28 Years Later and Now You See Me 3 to mix things up. See you there...
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