We're coming up on the end of another year, so that means it's time for my annual ranking. 2018 was a phenomenal year for movies. It's been quite a few years since I saw anywhere near this number of new releases, and the vast majority were at least good. Only the bottom three were out and out disappointments, and at least the top eleven were films I absolutely loved.
As always, I'm ranking from least to most favorite, not from better or worse. Where applicable, I mention if a great movie is held back by this system or if I think a mediocre movie is being elevated.
Most of these lists ignore movies that are bought by Netflix or Hulu without a theatrical run, but I'm a little less picky. A lot of movies that end up streaming were intended for the big screen, but the studios decided they'd be better off selling the rights. If I believe a movie was at one time being developed for a theatrical release (like Mute or The Christmas Chronicles), it shows up, while films clearly produced for TV or the like (such as Santa Jaws) are omitted. I realize that's a bit arbitrary, but so are these lists.
28. Pacific Rim Uprising
There were a handful of moments and elements in Uprising I genuinely liked: the opening chase scene with Scrapper, the weird twists with Newt, the Jaeger/Kaiju hybrids... these were neat. But every time I thought I was about ready to get on board, something stupid or dull would pop up and distract me.This wasn't an awful movie, and aspects were fun. But overall I just couldn't connect with it.
27. Ready Player One
It's not that there's nothing good aboutYeah, there are moments of magic, thanks to Spielberg. And the extended homage to The Shining was pretty great as a meta love letter from the director. But overall, I wasn't impressed or entertained.
26. Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle
"Not quite as good as I'd like, but easily the best live-action adaptation of The Jungle Book we've ever gotten or are ever likely to get."...Is what I'd be saying if Disney hadn't just released a brilliant version two years ago. You kind of have to feel bad for Andy Serkis - it's not his fault a far better movie was made simultaneously, released first, and buried any hope for his production.
And there are definitely good aspects of his movie - I honestly think I preferred his Baloo, for one. But overall there's just no comparison: Mowgli feels like the knock-off made-for-streaming flick it turned into. There's just no magic or myth here.
25. Mute
It's essentially an exercise in tone and genre, but at least it does that well. It would take a long time to list all of Mute's flaws, but it's worth noting none of them really detract from the experience all that much. Overall, it winds up feeling more like a pilot for a really good TV series than a movie, but given the fact it was picked up by Netflix, I'm fine with that.I enjoyed watching this, and I'd recommend it to anyone who likes SF noir. If I'm being honest, I'd have to add I probably enjoyed this MORE than Moon (but if I did that I'd have to admit to not really getting why everyone's head-over-heels in love with what feels like a pretty mediocre SF flick, and I really don't want to pick that fight, so... I'll lie and pretend I agree with the critical consensus that it's tragic how Duncan Jones's career hasn't been living up to his promise).
24. The Grinch
Eh. It's fine.I know that's hardly a ringing endorsement, but honestly it's about as good as any feature-length adaptation of The Grinch was likely to be. This isn't a story meant for this format, and the changes necessary to make the transition aren't going to improve it.
If anything, I'm shocked this wasn't an outright disaster. Some lovely designs and decent gags elevate this to the level of mediocre kid's entertainment.
Again, not a ringing endorsement, but the thought of watching this again doesn't fill me with despair. I can't stress enough how large of a step up that is from the Jim Carrey version.
23. Teen Titans Go! To the Movies
I skipped this when it was in theaters - it felt like I'd be paying cinema prices for television quality. And in a sense, I think this was the right call, for me at least. There's a degree to which we have a right to expect spectacle from the movies. That's all they still have over TV.That said, when I finally caught this on DVD I was pleasantly surprised. Not because it was good - I'd seen the numbers on Rotten Tomatoes - but because it managed to justify its existence. Both the narrative and theme were structured around the medium. This had be on the big screen for the premise to work.
In contrast, I don't think you can say the same about the LEGO Batman Movie, the My Little Pony Movie, The Simpsons Movie, or the Powerpuff Girls Movie. These all relied on scale to sell the decision to release on the big screen. And, for what it's worth, I liked most of them. But you could have cut their budgets and released any of them direct to DVD or as multi-part episodes. This actually belonged as a movie.
On top of that, it delivered a good story and some great laughs. I was surprised how fun this was. But while it's fun enough to make it this far on my list, it wasn't quite memorable enough to climb any further. It pulled off what it set out to do beautifully, but its goals were somewhat less ambitious than I'm used to.
22. The Nutcracker and the Four Realms
If I were ranking these objectively, as a critic rather than a fan, this would come in just ahead of Pacific Rim Uprising. In no world and under no definition of the word is this a "good" movie. But sometimes a bad movie comes along that just appeals to your sensibilities. I pride myself with being able to tell the difference between one of those and an underappreciated gem. And while I really liked The Nutcracker and the Four Realms, the critics were right to tear into it.Yes, this movie's a mess. The dialogue's bad, the story is underdeveloped, the showdown is underwhelming, and it's obvious at a glance it was torn apart and stapled back together by executive mandate. And yet, there's a giant clockwork mech run by a woman aided by a swarm of mice who form together into a giant mouse-man. And on top of everything else it's set at Christmas?
Honestly, it's a testament to how many (actually) good genre movies came out this year that this isn't ranked even higher.
21. The Cloverfield Paradox
I didn't watch the Super Bowl, but I did catch The Cloverfield Paradox that night. And while I don't think anyone would seriously call it great cinema, it was a lot of fun. It embraced its B-movie roots and went in some bizarre directions. The severed arm alone is enough to make me recommend this one.Yeah, it could have used more of that. It could have really cut loose and thrown in genre elements blatantly outside the boundaries of those they were ostensibly using. And, had they done that, this would have fared better on this list.
But as it is, I still really enjoyed the experience of watching this intentionally cheesy, impressively fun throwback to a type of movie that's all but died out. More please!
20. Sorry to Bother You
Obviously this deserves a higher spot than it's getting on this list. Objectively, this was a fascinating, inventive movie. It was weird and creative and...And it just didn't connect with me, at least not completely. I don't know - maybe it was too weird in a way that didn't align with my tastes. I generally found it funny, and I certainly thought it was clever, but I couldn't really get caught up in the world the way I wanted to.
If you've got this at or near the top spot of your list, rest assured I agree you have better taste in art than I do.
19. A Wrinkle in Time
This was mixed. I loved the characters and the emotional moments. The film was pulsing with sincerity to a degree that's rare in children's entertainment. Sadly, there was something missing in the worlds being created, and that "something" was substance. Nothing felt real or lived in - instead, the alien planets came off as CG set pieces.Ultimately, I enjoyed this movie - I'll take sincerity over believability any day - but the flaws definitely held it back, both at the box office and in my personal assessment. But who cares? This was crafted to be streamed by preteen girls for decades to come - don't make the mistake of thinking it was in any way a failure.
18. Upgrade
This was a really solid, engaging cyberpunk flick. I'm not convinced the end twist worked with everything that came before (at least not without really straining the limits of rationality), but it was still a extremely satisfying experience.The reason it's not higher on this list is less a complaint than an acknowledgement that movies, as a form of media, have gotten bigger. As a result, things like this feel closer to great TV than film. I'll be the first to admit that's completely unfair, but if you asked me whether this felt closer to Blade Runner 2049 or Mute, I'd have to say the latter (though, just so we're clear, this is a far better movie than Mute).
17. The Christmas Chronicles
While Netflix may not have been all that subtle in their attempt to generate a Christmas classic, the writing in this was surprisingly clever, as I covered in depth over at Mainlining Christmas. All of that is in addition to the inspired casting of Kurt Russell in the role of Santa Claus. I enjoyed this quite a bit and expect to revisit it numerous times in future Christmases (and I doubt I'll be alone in doing so).16. Deadpool 2
This was an absolutely fantastic comedy - I almost fell out of my seat laughing more times than I can count. That said, I was slightly - only slightly - disappointed by just how committed Deadpool 2 was to mocking the superhero genre. While the first leaned towards a self-aware superhero movie with humor present, this definitely embraced all-out parody, exemplified by the rather quick and brutal resolution to the X-Force subplot. I already thought X-Force was kind of a silly concept, but I'd have preferred getting a movie that challenged that preconception, rather than killing them off as a punchline.15. Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom
This was a movie with a lot of issues, from poor plotting to bad characters. But for all its faults, it was well designed and directed, which made for an enjoyable experience. The Gothic mansion made for a fantastic change of scenery, and the erupting volcano even made the old island feel new again. The whole thing had a great 80's Amblin vibe. The blend of light horror and adventure reminded me of movies like Gremlins or Poltergeist, even if it couldn't quite match those in quality.Would I have preferred better writing? More interesting characters? An even more outlandish story? Of course. But considering the franchise's limitations, this delivered something far better than I'd anticipated.
14. Solo: A Star Wars Story
Full disclosure: this is a full spot higher because of that surprise cameo at the end. And I don't even like that character all that much. But I do like extended universes and fun connections. And I love surprises, which that moment absolutely delivered.Beyond that, Solo was a lot of fun. It had its issues, granted - I'll acknowledge there were serious problematic implications to L3-37's fate (though I loved the character so much, I was willing to overlook them). Likewise, the movie wasn't exactly inspired. But I enjoyed it regardless as a fun summer adventure.
13. Ant-Man and the Wasp
This wasn't one of the year's most memorable films, but it was a joy to watch. It delivered a light, enjoyable tone, coupled with some of the MCU's funniest moments. It wasn't exhilarating or suspenseful, but then it wasn't supposed to be.Instead, it was a character-driven comedy adventure. What's not to love?
12. Mission: Impossible - Fallout
One hell of a ride. There's a lot more to say about Fallout, but I think that sums up why it's as high on this list as it is. This movie was start to finish action and intrigue with a relentless, exhilarating pace. Oh yeah, it also managed to mine the previous installments and cobble together a character for Ethan Hunt and still find time to sell the idea this series is a connected story, as opposed to a disjointed set of movies with the same lead.I don't quite think this lived up to Rogue Nation, but that's more a compliment to just how good Rogue Nation is than any kind of condemnation of Fallout. It was an effective, exciting summer action flick.
11. Annihilation
I really wish I'd seen this in a theater.I honestly meant to, but I was busy and just didn't get around to it. But I put it in my Netflix queue as soon as it was out, and the minute it was over I regretted not doing everything in my power to catch this on the big screen.
It was a freaky, tone-driven sci-fi dream; almost a fairy tale. Just the sort of thing I love.
I'm not sure if it would have ended even higher on this list if I'd seen this the way it was intended, but it's a definite possibility. Even on the small screen, this was immensely enjoyable, but I'll add it to my mental list of movies I failed.
10. Isle of Dogs
This is a hair away from being three spots higher. Honestly, if the ending had been a little less awkward (not even a lot - just a hair would have done it), I'd have placed it higher. I really, really liked this movie - it's easily my new favorite Wes Anderson film.That's not an endorsement of his decision to set this in Japan, nor am I denying there are some very questionable script choices. But, right or wrong, I just loved the dogs and the story (excluding the resolution, which felt a little too deus ex machina). But this managed to deliver Anderson's style while also adding some heart and tension, two elements he's typically ignored.
9. Christopher Robin
Cards on the table: I'm pretty sure I love this more than it deserves. It's certainly a good movie, not to mention a great use of nostalgia (for a discussion of crummy uses of nostalgia, reread what I said about Ready Player One).But I can't deny a big part of why this is as high as it is has less to do with quality and more to do with my childhood associations with these characters. But, hey, this is a "favorites" list, so here we are.
8. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
Spoiler warning: I've been to the future, and this won the Oscar for best animated picture.This movie feels like something new, and I honestly don't know the last time I could say that about an animated US production. Sure, Pixar keeps delivering near-perfect films, but they all feel like they're made from the same template.
This honestly doesn't feel like it comes from the same universe. Its use of color, motion, editing, references... they're all different from anything else out there. And that alone is worth celebrating.
Throw in some fantastic characters, wonderful designs, a great script... yeah, this is fantastic.
Is it my favorite movie of the year? Nah. Is it even my favorite animated movie? Once again, the answer's no. But that's all preference. Speaking objectively, when this wins the aforementioned Academy Award, it'll have earned it.
7. Mary Poppins Returns
I could almost copy and paste what I said about Christopher Robin, with a few caveats. I think Mary Poppins Returns was technically a little better, but of course that isn't why it's a few spots closer to #1 than CR.Ironically, the issue is I have more of an attachment to Winnie the Pooh than Mary Poppins, and in this case that worked against the Bear of Very Little Brain. Both movies have a problematic side to their construction, but I was far more bothered by the the issue with Christopher Robin.
Regardless, this a fantastically well-made throw-back to the era of musicals. I had a lot of fun watching this.
6. Aquaman
This is probably the second most ambitious movie made this year, and it would easily hold that title any year an Infinity War wasn't being fought. Sure, the movie falls far short of those ambitions - this really would have needed another hundred million or so to actually pull off the scope it was going for, but...God bless them for not backing down. They delivered a bizarre, quirky film with moments of astonishing beauty and scale. And, yeah, moments of clearly blue-screened CG with silly hair effects: this wasn't a perfectly immersive experience. But between fun dialogue and a fast-paced script, I found it impossible to focus on the movie's shortcomings. This was a great experience, and I loved every minute.
I'll add that I spent a great deal of time torn on whether to put Mary Poppins ahead of or behind this. In the end, I decided to break the tie by counting the number of Julie Andrewses in the film.
5. Bumblebee
While the plot isn't particularly original, the movie delivers a heartfelt character story about a girl dealing with depression stemming from the loss of her father as she tries to put her life back together, make friends, and learn to experience joy again.Oh, and there are Transformers.
The fact I was just as riveted by the human characters as I was by robots I've waited three decades to see faithfully realized in live action is nothing short of astonishing. I loved this movie and hope it becomes the template for dozens more.
4. Avengers: Infinity War
In some ways, Infinity War is everything I've ever wanted out of a superhero movie. It's brightly colored, funny, and surreal, yet still emotionally powerful. This is a movie that has weight to it, that understands that the subjects of a story don't dictate whether it's serious or not.God, I just respect the hell out of this. And those fights are incredible. We've never seen heroes and villains clash like this. Forget Thanos for a minute - the battles with his lieutenants alone are amazing.
So why am I holding this back? Why isn't it in the top 3?
The thing is, while I completely respect the movie's gutsy, risky decision to end a summer blockbuster by killing off 50% of the heroes - including arguably the company's two most significant characters - I can't deny feeling a bit unsatisfied. Yeah, that will probably change in hindsight when I see the next installment, but until then, it leaves a mixed taste in my mouth.
I love the studio for being willing to do that to me, but it does hold this one back a little on my favorites list. Just a little, though.
3. Black Panther
We've gotten comic book movies that transcended the level of a Hollywood blockbuster before. And we've seen comic book movies that manage to capture the tone and flavor of their source material. But I don't think we've ever once gotten a movie that pulled both off at the same time, at least not the way Black Panther did.The movie is inventive, genre-crossing, fun, and intelligent. The characters and setting aren't tethered to reality in the way many of its predecessors were - the source material is truly unleashed. We're treated to a world where super-science, mysticism, and espionage intermingle. And, obviously, it's a profoundly important cinematic work that delivers long overdue representation, along with an unapologetic exploration of the evils of colonialism.
I have a hard time thinking of anything negative to say. I guess it felt a little rushed at times, but "this movie felt too short" is a pretty good flaw to have.
2. Paddington 2
I kind of wish this hadn't been the first movie I saw in the theaters this year, because it set an absurdly high bar. Like its predecessor, this was an absolutely, astonishingly brilliant movie. It's progressive, intelligent, perfectly structured, beautifully shot, painstakingly enhanced... honestly, I can't think of a single aspect to critique. The few areas it didn't live up to part one weren't due to failure; they were wise choices on where the sequel should or shouldn't focus its time.I've been reviewing movies as a pastime for about a decade now, and not surprisingly, I find myself reusing phrases and ideas. One cliche you'll see me use in reviews for movies I like is, "It's not a perfect movie."
But you won't find that one in my review of Paddington 2, because - frankly - it kind of is a perfect movie. There's very little (if anything) that could be done to improve it. I loved every second.
1. Incredibles 2
Some of this movie's placement is due to personal preference, but it's worth noting this was, by any objective metric, a goddamn amazing film.But let's not lose sight of the fact I love superheroes, and it doesn't get much better than this family. Brad Bird's original remains one of the best in the genre, and the most critical thing I can say about the sequel is it's probably not quite as good. I think?
But even if that's true - even if this isn't as good as part one, I honestly think I enjoyed it more. If there's one thing I wanted more of after the first movie, it was Elastigirl. She was already awesome, but she didn't get anywhere near as much screen time in The Incredibles as her husband. Apparently I wasn't alone in wanting an Elastigirl spin-off movie, because that's more or less what this was. A street-level, superhero detective story in the vein of a Batman adventure, complete with a villain who feels like they stepped out of DC Comics.
God, this movie was a joy to watch. I hope they make more of these, preferably closer than fourteen years apart.
Wrap up
So. That's 2018. This has been an amazing year for genre in general and superhero movies in particular. There were nine theatrically released superhero movies this year, and all but one (Venom, which I still need to see) were fresh on Rotten Tomatoes (hell, of the remaining eight, only Aquaman was below 80%). On top of that, two of them (Black Panther and Into the Spider-Verse) are being heralded by many as the best live-action and animated installments in the genre ever made. And while I'm not quite ready to endorse that title for either, I think there's certainly at least an argument to be made.If you're looking for a brief summary for the year in cinema, that's probably a good place to start. It's also worth noting that nostalgia was once again a major factor. Much of that was geared towards the 80's (Ready Player One, Bumblebee), but it also expanded to include earlier properties (Mary Poppins Returns, Christopher Robbin) and even the early 2000's (Incredibles 2).
Once again, it was an extremely lucrative year for Disney - they hold the top three highest grossing movies domestically, and just barely lose the #3 spot to Fallen Kingdom worldwide. Already, four movies released this year have surpassed a billion dollars worldwide, and there's a decent chance Aquaman will be the fifth.
That said, several movies were overlooked. I'll own my share of the blame around Annihilation and Isle Of Dogs - both were phenomenal films I regret waiting for DVD. Likewise, Bumblebee really deserves more attention than it's getting (though I kind of think Paramount has no one to blame but itself - pitting it against both Aquaman and Mary Poppins was a major misstep).
On the critical side, I want to mention a trend I find a tad disconcerting. In my opinion, movies released directly to streaming services are being reviewed harsher than those released traditionally. Cloverfield Paradox and Mute are at 19% and 20% on Rotten Tomatoes, and - while these certainly weren't flawless films - I feel like they're comparable to films in the 50% to 70% range. Likewise, I still think Christmas Chronicles is a bit underrated at 70%. It'll be interesting to see if this trend continues.
Next year's already looking exciting. I'm looking forward to Captain Marvel, Avengers: Endgame, Godzilla: King of the Monsters, Alita: Battle Angel, Shazam, and others. There's a lot coming out before the end of June, and I'm planning to catch as many as possible.
After that... I'm going to be busy.
This might be the last year I do one of these, at least for a while. Lindsay and I are expecting a new, miniature human next year with a due date between Avengers: Endgame and Spider-Man: Far from Home, and I'm not naive enough to think I'll have time to keep up with current releases. We'll see what that means for this blog - I might go on hiatus for a while, or I might just pare back the number of posts.
Either way, I can't wait to see what 2019 holds.
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