End of the year already? Well, now we have a chance to look back on all the greatness the last year has offered us in terms of film. 2018 has been a terrific year. Despite trying to visit the cinema less frequently due to exams, I have managed to see 24 films. Even though there have been that many, I'm still sticking with a Top 5 because that way you can tell I'm talking about the very best. Also, there are only 3 films this year that I'd feel comfortable labeling as 'bad', so a 5 worst films of the year is not something I think I'll bother doing. Also, this is just my opinion, so it's fine if you disagree. You should also know that these are the films I enjoyed the most and not necessarily which ones I think are the best. So, let's have a look at my best films of the year!
5. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
Animated films used to be the main thing I saw in the cinema, but this year it is evident that that is no longer apparent. That said, the animated films I've seen this year have all been really good. However, the best one came out in the last month of the year, and it was well worth waiting for it for so long. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse delivers some top-notch action, fun and entertaining characters, along with some strong and powerful depth and heart, all wrapped up in visually-sumptuous, dazzling animation. I really enjoyed this film and it succeeded in all the ways a great animated film, superhero movie, and film in general, should. I advise you try to see this while it's still in cinemas, especially as it's sadly drifting out of the Top 10.
4. Mary Poppins Returns
Probably the most anomalous film on this list as it's not an action / superhero film nor something you'd typically find me talking about. But that doesn't mean it can't be one of the best films of the whole year. Mary Poppins Returns, despite being a bit derivative when compared to the predecessor as well as not seeming nearly as iconic, is still an uplifting, jolly film that has some brilliant performances, excellent and catchy songs accompanied by mesmeric choreography, beautiful visuals, especially with the usage of 2D animation, and enough elements to be both a worthy sequel and its own thing. This is a film that upon second viewing still managed to give me the same rush of happiness and euphoria that the first did, so much so that my cheeks began to ache from smiling. I really enjoyed it and can't wait for it to be released on DVD so I can continuously be entertained by this spoonful of joy.
3. Deadpool 2
Well, it hasn't moved an inch since July. Deadpool 2 is the perfect comedy in my eyes. Some hilarious and meta humour, equally entertaining performances, and some truly engaging action scenes to keep the film from feeling boring or lifeless. I don't really have that much to say other than this is one of the funniest films of the year, and one of the rare sequels to be better than the original. Because of how good this film is, the first Deadpool is now just seen as plainly good by me. So, I hope we get more comedic masterpieces like this in 2019, especially with the release of Kingsman 3 in November, which is another action franchise stuffed with great, gory action and a charming sense of humour.
2. Ready Player One
If you saw my best films of 2018 so far back in July, you may be wondering why this film is now at number 2. Well, I'll elaborate when I talk about number 1. As for this, I still absolutely love this film. Ready Player One is such a great concept and the way it was translated from page to screen is in a form which I can only say is the best that it possibly could've been. This was a tricky task, and the fact that they managed to keep to overall story structure and feel of the novel in this film is commendable. On top of that, it delivers some really inventive and exciting popcorn action along with some good performances too. I didn't mention this before but upon third and fourth viewing, I really began to appreciate the score too, which boasts some really exhilarating tunes as well as some nice subtle callbacks to other franchises like Back to the Future. This is overall a really good and really fun film. I think it delivers in many great ways and though there are some flaws with the storytelling and character developing, what works is more than enough to make up.
1. Avengers: Infinity War
Surprised? Me neither. When I did my 'so far' list in July, I'd only seen Infinity War once, and was basing what I said off what I remembered from that one viewing, most of my experience in which was skewed because the ending shocked me so much to the point where that was most if not all I could think about. However, upon second viewing, this all changed. As much as I love Ready Player One and Deadpool 2, upon re-watching there is always one little thing which bugs me. With the former, I find myself wondering how certain things in the world of the film work, and with the latter, I find myself not bursting with laughter, but lightly exhaling. With this film, I have barely any issues to mention when I re-watch it. All I get is the excitement from the action, I feel the tension of the stakes, I'm struck by the power of the emotions, I laugh at the jokes, I'm shokced by the twists despite knowing they're coming, and so much more. I almost considered boosting this film from an E to an EE. The only thing problematic about this film is that I can't recommend it on its own as it is essential for the viewer to have seen 18 other films. That said, my family all enjoyed it and they're almost alien to the MCU. With 2019 looking like it could be the most defining chapter for this franchise, I can't wait to continue watching and loving this film until the outcome arrives. This is why this film is my favourite film of the year, it's perfectly balanced, as all things should be...
So, with those 5 gems now behind us, what is there to come? Well there's a lot I need to highlight so stay tuned for my most anticipated films of 2019 which should hopefully be out soon. But until then, Happy New Year!
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