Hey there followers. Well, another year is about to be in the books. It has been quite an eventful year that has had its ups and downs but through and through we made it another 365 days. As the clock whines down on 2021 and gets ready to usher us into the next year of the 2020s, I wanted to take a moment to look back on the year at the cinema and the incredible silver screen escapades that defined the past 52 weeks.
Despite the unfortunate reality of still living in the COVID-19 era, 2021 was a real bright spot for the theater industry and moviegoers alike. Seeing theaters filled to near capacity was such a welcome sight for an industry that has been starving for relevancy for an entire year and a half. It’s one of the first forms of life we’ve seen from the cinema industry in this new decade culminating in our first billion-dollar movie of the 2020s. Though there is still a long way to go for the industry to return to its former glory, if that’s even possible, it’s great to know that so many people still value going to the movies.
Representation is such a vital part of the theater-going experience. It allows for underrepresented groups to see themselves in a larger-than-life setting which can inspire their people to reach higher than they ever thought was possible. The Latino community got a triple dose of that with three high-profile blockbusters. Disney’s Encanto, Warner Bros’ In The Heights, and Steven Spielberg’s adaptation of West Side Story beautifully captured the essence of Latino culture and may have also started the superstar career of several up-and-coming performers. Another classic example of what the power of seeing yourself represented on screen can do for the culture.
The word “Fan Service" gets a bad rap these days. Some look at it as opportunistic pandering from studios while others see it as a means of elevating the story in a way that connects both new and established audiences. A number of films took the fan service approach and thankfully the majority of them delivered on the latter. Whether it was rectifying old mistakes made in the past or delivering something that fans have been wanting for years, these cinematic events made longtime fans of several franchises shed tears of joy as they were given something that they’ve been wanting since they were young. Fan service doesn’t always work out but when it’s done right and in a way that elevates the story on screen, it can be a terrific method of reinvigorating the world fans love so much.
Before I Announce My Top 5 Films of 2021, Here are My Honorable Mentions/Runner-Ups For This Year
Natasha Romanoff finally got her time in the sun in her very first solo outing in the Marvel cinematic universe. Filled with breakneck action, some brand new fan-favorite characters, and a thought-provoking commentary just under the surface, Black Widow was a long overdue yet welcome addition to the MCU.
Magic and music go hand-in-hand. For the Madrigal family, that couldn’t be taken more literally. Lin-Manuel Miranda delivers a touching and vibrant story about family and the importance of the foundation you build. A terrific animated film that is an uplifting endeavor for the soul.
If I’m being totally honest, the appropriate title for this movie should’ve been "Understanding the Assignment". Adam Wingard knew exactly what to put on screen in this big one-on-one brawl for it all. It’s amazing to see a film that knows exactly the film it is it doesn’t try to be something it isn’t. Yes, movies that are thought-provoking are great. But sometimes watching a giant monkey and a fire breathing lizard beat the hell out of each other is all the entertainment one needs
Ironically, the baggage that has been piling up within the Ghostbusters fandom was one of the main reasons why I almost didn’t experience director Jason Reitman's latest addition to the series. Fortunately for me, I put all of that aside it was treated to a super fun and emotionally earnest love letter to the Ghostbusters series. Bustin is back and it feels as good as it did back in the 80s.
If you were convinced that there wasn’t a genre the cinematic legend Steven Spielberg couldn’t tackle, then his latest adaptation of the classic 1961 musical should put all of that to rest. With stunning cinematography, breathtaking dance sequences, hair-raising vocal performances, and a gritty essence that captures the spirit of the time period, West Side Story can be looked at as a terrific example of how to honor the classic while also fixing some of its overlooked and glossed over faults.
Trust and Believe
Disney’s 59th animated film is done on a scale that truly is a sight to behold. A large-scale fantasy adventure epic with lovable characters, tense action, hilarious moments, and an emotionally powerful message about faith and trust. Raya and the Last Dragon sets the bar high for all incoming films for Disney Animation Studios in this new decade as the mouse house’s latest Disney princess makes her mark among her royal sisterhood.
Here is Some BTS Footage
Sweet, Sweet Fantasy
When it comes to video game-centric movies, the success rate is pretty rare among some of the latest attempts. But this new take somehow made the idea worth further exploration. A surprise summer hit that came literally out of nowhere, Ryan Reynolds’ action-comedy delivered on the action and the heart in a story that has everything for nearly everybody. A welcome addition to the video game film genre that manages to show that gems can manifest with the right people involved.
Here is Some BTS Footage
Master Of Kung Fu
The MCU brought a lot of change to its ever-going heroverse. The most significant one however was the introduction of the franchise's first Asian superhero. In a story whose roots go all the way back to the very first Iron Man, Marvel introduced us to the master of kung fu in a fun, emotionally enveloping, and breathtaking action-adventure. Though Shang-Chi’s journey is just beginning, his future in this ever-growing universe couldn’t have gotten off to a better start.
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Time and Death
With a cinematic legacy spanning 15 years, Daniel Craig ended his reign as 007 agent James Bond in explosive fashion in one of the most thrillingly satisfying conclusions to this current iteration of the character. Some welcome changes in the form of some deep narrative cuts and the introduction of some standout characters made this a showstopper of a finale. The future of James Bond is uncertain as of now, but we can look back at Craig’s run as one of the most iconic in film.
Here is Some BTS Footage
Spider-Verse Unleashed
I really don’t even know where to start with this one. Whenever you have a movie come in with such hype, such anticipation, such unattainable expectations and still manage to deliver on that and so much more, you truly have a special type of movie that is easily one of the best of the current decade. Spider-Man‘s latest MCU endeavor turned into a cinematic experience of a lifetime thanks to unforgettable moments from current and familiar faces. The bar has been set pretty high after Spidey‘s latest swing and it will be tough to see if this will ever be topped as the ultimate Spider-Man experience.
Here is Some BTS Footage
