Hey everyone, my name is Anthony and welcome back to the countdown.
Last time, i've covered my final controversial moments of the year, which im pretty much done talking about what happens in our time. But you know what im not done? The list of movies.
Let me tell you, 2021 is rathe a pretty good year with some good films that we had, sure we had some forgettable and my regretful one that i watched, so as always, im making the list of the movies of the year.
However, due to the pandemic that we're struggling to this day along with open and closing doors of theaters, my film picks are very limited, meaning im gonna miss some movies that i was planned but have time, not enough money or even not able to enter the theater like Encanto (don't worry, i will watch it on Disney+ and talk about it next year), Halloween Kills (which again, review it next year's October) and of course, Spider-Man No Way Home (Despite its one of the biggest film of the year with great reviews and another film with BILLION Dollars, Gawd Dayum!).
Plus, i watched some above average to great films, but i rarely have more than three bad movies as i checked the list. So instead of separate top list, in doing a rank from the Crappiest to the Best one.
Does it sounds good for you, guys? Alright, so this is the Top 10 movies of 2021, lets get started, shall we?
Number 10: Space Jam: A New Legacy
As a young teen, i love Space Jam, it has a unique story, some good characters, the animation is impressive at the time and good fun for both Looney Tunes and Basketball with our fav Michael "Air" Jordan. With the movie was so great (kinda, based on the first release's reception), many fans wished to having a sequel with new sporting celeb like Jeff Gordon for racing, Tony Hawk for skateboarding or even spy mission with Jackie Chan, but it was changed to the not-so good sequel "Looney Tunes: Back in action". But then we have our sequel "Space Jam: A New Legacy", which we assuming its gonna be bigger and better with LeBron James?
Well, no. Aside with some unique animation, some good character development like Lola Bunny (aside from her downgrade design), a nice basketball game in the action, and a good acting of LeBron James, despite some of his limits.
But everything else is just anti-climatic what i was wishing for, the story is been recycled, the moral is like that its all about have some fun and be yourself, some jokes are so desperate to be hip for Gen Z and pop culture references, some characters would've done better and this movie is full of WB's product placements in the big game, it makes Ready Player Run run for its money.
As one of my favorite reviewer AniMat (aka ElectricDragon505) told to perfectly sums up for this movie, this movie is like a Monkey's paw, where you're wishing to have something cool, but you ended up in a bad result, and that's "Space Jam: A New Legacy" in a nutshell. All i wanna say is, stick to the original Space Jam.
Number 9: Black Widow
While i love MCU, but it doesn't mean that its a perfect series (at least we need to tell DC fandom to shut the hell up for toxicity, but i digress), they have some very average films or even a bad luck films, but Black Widow is one of the latter.
The movie is all about Natasha's family reunion after Civil War, which is fine, some characters like Natasha, Yelena and Red Guardian are a not bad characters and some actions are pretty good.
But everything just comes off as a borefest, with rushed story, some forgettable characters and of course, this movie came out in a wrong timing that she's already came to an end since she was killed off in Endgame and worst of all, since Disney had their decision to releasing it on Disney+, Scarlett Johanson (who played the original Black Widow) went to sue Disney for releasing major film on video-on-demand equals bad for box office and breach of contract that she's pretty much done with them, especially with some backstage politics.
In the end, this film is not only pretty average, but its pretty much obvious that this movie went out in poor timing with release the film in a wrong decision and a legal battle between Johansson and Disney.
Number 8: Mortal Kombat 2021
Even though this movie may also be disappointing, but at least they tried their best for to be like, you know, Mortal Kombat.
After the duology from the 90's WB's decided to try again to brought us this remake film of Mortal Kombat and its easily an improvement from before, it has some well-fitted characters like in the game, it has pretty good fighting and of course, it is fun with gory fashion, much like in the game.
However, what makes this film lower as number 8, is that aside of good story, but the execution (no pun attended) would've been better than the chosen one cliché, some memorable character appears much later like Scorpion or some others and worst of all, having Cole Young as a main movie character just comes off as bland and forgettable.
Even though its not the best movie based on video game, but at least they're trying to be like as we all know, for the most part. And hope they're gonna make a sequel with eight times WWE Intercontinental Champion The Miz as Johnny Cage, which he was openly expressed to playing the role and Ed Boon will love to see his role come true.
Number 7: Venom Let there be Carnage
Ohhh boy, where do i begin with this... Um... Unique film.
After a disappointed result for the first one, and some fans (like myself included) gave it a guilty pleasure, its no secret when we saw at the mid-credit, we're hyped up to see the epic battle between Venom and Cletus Kasady, but the result was... Rather good, but felt like it tried too hard to making it better than before.
While i appreciated for the inclusion of Carnage and Shriek killing anybody for their loving relationship (Bonnie and Clyde style) and the actions are quite impressive and pretty brutal, but its too bad this film is still PG-13 for "Marketing reason", i mean who the frick cares?! Just put some blood and gore on it in order to appeal the fans like Box-office baiting bullcrap! (Sorry, im always getting into a rant)
But you know what's also bullcrap? Recycling the same plot element from the first film how Eddie is still being a loser due to Anne Weying aid to be unfitting and constant argument between him and his symbiote Venom. I like come on, he has a job and becoming a anti-hero against bad guys on his system, but being back to be a loser.
While im glad we got what we asked for, but it almost feels like its never been finished based on questionable writing of this film, but hey, at least we have chaotic action scenes, good acting and Carnage stole his scary spotlight.
Number 6: Free Guy
Hey kids, remember Ready Player One?, you know, a movie takes place in the digital world to finding the secrets? No? Well, imagine that with Ryan Reynolds as NPC who wants to acting like players.
And that's exactly what it sounds like on Free Guy. As a movie in a video game world, Guy started as a bank teller in his nice daily routine, not before he got distracted by one player MolotovGirl (aka Millie Rusk), that he decided to become a player than NPC (which sounds like he's turning into a player bot, but in a new level), despite the main plot is where MolotovGirl is trying to get her source code back from Soonami.
Which leads to my nitpick of this movie's main plot, is it about an NPC wanna be like player or a player who happens to be developer who tries to get the code back to her own game.
As for the rest, i enjoy the setting of the movie of taking place in battle royal game (which makes it a lot more fun than the lame-ass ones like Fortnite), the actions are entertaining and funny and it has a fun Easter Eggs where you can easily notice if you're a nard of video games and others like me, he?
You've seen Deadpool, you've seen Detective Pikachu, and now you've seen an NPC who likes to be like players in a fun movie, even if the plot is kinda mixed.
Number 5: Luca
Yup, we're getting into Disney's animated film, this time its Pixar.
Luca is a very fascinating, cute and another fun movie that was done by Pixar, but yes, its easily to noticed that this movie feels like a Pixar's take of The Little Mermaid, based on a similar plot of our main sea creature who's sorta curious to see outside of surface for the first taste to seeing humans, but difference is instead to finding a love without speaking or singing, this one is about Luca gives his first attempt to see something outside of surface from sea creature scavenger Alberto, hesitant at first, but he did eventually interested to live there, especially for the competition to getting a precious Vespa.
Aside of some lack of original idea, but what makes this movie pretty good is its presentation, even though people questioned the character designs looks like its done from Calarts (sure, i noticed to see, but i just didn't care the complaint), but i disagree, according to the director of this movie, it was based on authentic style from Studio Ghibli, since he enjoyed some of their movies in his childhood, i have to say, he did a nice work of his inspiration. But its not just the designs, but its the design of the background, the colorful effect and a beautiful effect that they looks so good and feels real. The characters, aside from some that are cliche or being mean, the main kids are memorable that we can tooting for, especially with the villain that we can enjoy, unlike some in previous films could've gone better.
It may not a part of a whole new world (no pun attended) for the story, but its the main characters and the presentation are well done by Pixar.
Number 4: Godzilla vs Kong
Now we're getting into a rumble between the two icons of Kaiju!
Ever since we had one by Toho in 1962, Legendary Pictures decided to brought us their own remake with two titans fighting each others for which sides on Earth. Well, kinda.
For the story, while its nice to having Godzilla and Kong, but the humans are gotta figuring out about a secret world called "Hollow Earth" with the help of Kong after left him isolated in Skill Island with Monarch and has only child in Skull Island Jia, which im very impressed with a family figure relation between her and Kong. As for Godzilla, he's pretty much under threat at humanity (at least what they believe) based on what Apex plan about, a new weapon to attack Godzilla or the research of Hollow Earth. Not to mention, i also had a nitpick of whatever happened to the other Kaijus from "King of the Monsters", which they pretty much forgot about them in the whole movie, either that or we gotta wait for the future if we will have more Monsterverse.
As for the action, well its no secret that the highlight of the movie is epic fight between Godzilla and Kong while Kong was carried on the boat to finding the entrance of Hollow Earth and of course, SPOILER WARNING, a rematch between of two along with the most unwanted guest in the movie, MechaGodzilla.
In the end, its a pretty good film, but ended up having some flaws that would've gone better for an epic battle between these two.
Number 3: Raya and the last dragon
Here's another one, this time from Disney animation studio.
This time, its quite possibly the most intense film they've ever done, its like if its done in the millennium era, but more better than either Atlantis or Treasure Planet, thanks to well-writing of the setting of Kumandra and the story, some unique characters, a nice chemistry between Raya and Sisu and of course, Disney's outstanding animation of actions, the quality and of course, the effects.
While the writing of its world building is pretty cool, but it doesn't mean that i considered as perfect, some jokes just comes off as either ok to questionable with immature ones. But don't give me wrong, i may like Sisu as a last dragon for her quirky and fun performance from Awkwafina, but i hate to say, she ain't better as Mushu from Mulan. Although i heard some people criticized as a copycat from "Avatar the last airbender", but i wasn't so sure between of two, its more about repairing a magic gem back all together to bring peace in Kumandra from a dangerous plague Druun.
It may as perfect, but at least its a pretty great Disney film, and it definitely earned the spot of number 3
Number 2: Shang-Chi and the legend of the Ten Rings
Now this is more like it for a great MCU film with martial arts.
After giving us some familiar names in Infinity saga, it might a good time to brought us some new heroes, aside from the disappointments of Eternals (Maybe il review that), but Shang-Chi is not only has a promising introduction, but also picked up whatever happened to The Mandarin (depending).
While the story is kinda lacking, but at leasty it has a nice development with Shang has a struggle from the traumatic passed, his sister Xu Xialing being not very pleased from let go to inventing her fight club and Xu Wenwu being the conqueror from the past with Ten Rings, despite he desperately wants to see the secret world of Ta Lo. Kinda sucks for weak story, but hey, at least the character developments are good.
Of course, what makes this movie so impressive is the action scenes, instead of focusing of battle of advanced technology weapons, this one has fascinating martial arts combat with outstanding choreography and inspired from various martial arts films which i appreciated what they accomplished, especially with the help of members from Jackie Chan Stunt Team and the late Brad Allen. Sure the CG are taken over for the background, which was their purpose due to the pandemic, which despite they looks amazing, but sometimes video game-like, but its understandable what they did.
Shang-Chi is probably a pretty good to giving the modern Western viewers for the taste of martial arts and fun to watch. Well, either that or Spider-Man No Way Home...
And for my number one movie of the year 2021 goes to...
Number 1: THE Suicide Squad
Out of all the DC films that i watched along with Shazam, this one is easily the new fan-favorite for DC fans.
After 5 years that we had a disappointed Suicide Squad, James Gunn came in (after got fired, but temporary) to make the new and improved version Suicide Squad. Oh im sorry, i mean "THE Suicide Squad", talk about a poor excuse for making something "New" for the title.
Aside of title problem, this movie is easily sequel (or reboot??) worthy film to focusing on new members and some of our old friends return (yes, you always coming back at me, Harley Quinn). And i gotta say, the new members are easily more memorable from before, you have Bloodsport being a badass mercenary with unique technical weapons (along with a harsh neglectful family relation for what he did), Peacemaker who likes to kill bad guys for his own justice (Along with fun performance from John Cena), King Shark who's like Groot from "Guardians of the Galaxy", but more hungry for blood and gore with comedic misunderstood humanoid shark, Ratcatcher 2 being rather cute and a sympathetic figure and Polka-Dot Man being... Uhh... Unique one if you love or hated of his presence...
Of course, the villains are also pretty cool (though maybe make more to shine) like The Thinker who brought the experiment with ""Project Starfish" and Starro being a giant menacing starfish from outer space to using victims as a puppet.
What makes this movie so good, was not just a memorable members, but also the action scenes, this time, this movie gave us a blood bath, while some effects are good at the time, but this movie's gore are all over with bleeding, headshots and more stuff going on in DC's R-Rated film. Sure Marvel has that, but its just that marvel are stuck in PG from Disney's strict rules (aside from Deadpool before Disney's purchase at 21st Century Fox), but this movie hits you right in the face with gorefest that i love to watch.
With good story, impressive fight scenes of bloodiness, fun acting and memorable characters, it is no secret what i put this as my number 1 best movie of the year 2021.
So this ends of my countdown and im look forward of new films of 2022, so here's the status of my expectation feeling (whether they will be confirmed to be released or another delayed from the virus): https://www.deviantart.com/blackevil915/status-update/Here-s-my-quick-thought-of-902575898
And that's about it, if you guys have your opinion or any suggestions, let me know at comment bellow and support me on https://ko-fi.com/blackevil.
Thanks for reading, and im Anthony, signing out.
