Re-Porter Blog: 2023 Year End Special

 

Greetings followers. The time has come to prepare to close the book on the 365-page story known as 2023. This year of cinema has had its share of theatrics. From the massive smorgasbord of content during the summer movie season, the chaotically entertaining phenomenon of Barbenheimer, and the industry crippling effects of the actor and writer’s strikes, 2023 has been eventful for a multitude of reasons. 2024 promises to be a year full of potential and optimism but before we start that book, let’s begin our epilogue for 2023 in our annual year-end close-out featuring my top 5 films of the year. 

Top Takeaways from 2023

2023 had plenty of films primed for box office glory, but few delivered better than these 3 cinematic juggernauts. The Super Mario Bros Movie, Oppenheimer, and Barbie stand out not only as year end favorites featuring iconic characters and performances but also as some of the lone films to effectively turn a profit even before the Hollywood strikes with all averaging a nearly combined $3.5 billion in box office revenue. It was a memorable year for fans of these actors, creators, and brands as they became the year’s biggest positive bright light of 2023.

The summer movie season delivered the thrills in terms of action and spectacle to be sure. I was not expecting it to give me the ultimate summer playlist. The soundtracks for Transformers Rise of The Beasts, Spider-Man: Across The SpiderVerse and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Mutant Mayhem delivered some memorable auditory buffets that had an irresistible mixture of old-school flavor and new-school flair. Speaker systems got a workout in the best possible way that had moviegoers bopping their heads and pumping up the volume to the beats of some feel-good tracks. 

While the 1st half of 2023 saw plenty of positivity, the second half of the year saw potentially the biggest financial collapse in regards to the box office since the COVID-19 pandemic. Following Barbenheimer, all other films released that weekend failed to reach over $250 million until the release of The Hunger Games: The Ballard of Songbirds and Snakes in November. A multitude of reasons led to this but studios’ inability to market their films due to the WGA strike and actors not being able to be part of the promotional circuit due to the SAG/AFTRA strike led to films with a ton of potential being faced with relying on word of mouth. Unfortunately, the aftereffects of both strikes are still felt significantly after the fact. Hollywood may have come out of this, but the scars from this are profound and quite frankly potentially everlasting moving forward.

Pop culture, particularly that of the superhero genre, became a breeding ground for what I can simply call a sadistically petty period of anticipation for those who have longed loathed anything involving properties tied to Marvel’s MCU or the unceremoniously anticlimactic curtain call for the DCEU. The Marvel Cinematic Universe had its fair share of hiccups this year with its first film of the year Ant-Man and the Wasp Quantumania leaving fans disappointed and dissatisfied and November’s The Marvels being left to die from fans who frustratingly wrote the movie off for reasons that range from cynical to downright ignorant. Couple that with the subsequent writer and actor strikes, allegations of workplace abuse, and the legal fallout of former Multiverse Saga cornerstone Johnathan Majors, the Marvel brand now finds itself with a significant hole to climb out of with very little room for error. On the DC side, the brand prepares for a season of much-needed transition with James Gunn’s revamped DCU set to launch in 2025. But before that, the DCEU had one more year to wrap up its largely disjointed interconnected universe. The result was less heartfelt goodbye and more ashes to ashes dust to dust. Shazam Fury of The Gods, The Flash, and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom all represented a studio that had subsequently given up on something they tried to make coherent despite the many times they shot themselves in the foot doing so. Even the lone positively reviewed film Blue Beetle was littered with unceremonious dismissal despite its good attempts at setting up a character that, unlike the previously mentioned films, may have a future in the next phase of the new hero verse. The fanbases have been extremely vocal throughout the year and the result has left pop culture divided and left the staying power of these franchises and the genre as a whole in question. There is still plenty of optimism and excitement to be had when thinking of what is to come for both franchises. My only hope that we can drown out the emotional baggage that is threatening to turn experiencing and discussing stories featuring these worlds and characters into chores as opposed to events.

Before we get to my top films of 2023, I'd like to share my runner-ups who didn't make the list but

still entertained me thoroughly this year

DC may have had its share of misfires this year but if I can highlight 1 positive, it would be the official live-action debut of Jaime Reyes. A much smaller-scale story than the other DC films that came out this year, Blue Beetle’s simplistic approach allowed us to connect with Reyes and his family more personally which made the standout moments more impactful. Rumblings of Xolo Maridueña’s potential return as the character in James Gunn’s upcoming DCU have gained some traction so if this film is an unofficial starting point for the new era of the DC hero verse, it’s off to a promising start.

A wish can be a powerful thing especially when made with a selfless heart in mind. Disney Animation Studios’ commemorative film celebrating The Walt Disney Company’s 100th Anniversary was a heartfelt tribute to the studios’ many achievements all while delivering an engaging story with a wonderful new heroine. The film has been met with cynical responses but for me, Wish is a great addition to the Disney Animation Studios portfolio that thoroughly reminds those to not put their hopes and dreams in the hands of those who don’t value it as much as you do. Be the hero of your own story and work to make your wish come true your way. 

It truly is tragic when a film is dismissed and discarded before it is even seen by the public eyes. Even more so when it happens to be a fun-filled and action-packed space romp with fun characters and plenty of heart. The Marvels was a joy from start to finish and I for one am unashamed to admit I had so much fun spending time with Carol Danvers, Monica Rambaeu, and Kamala Khan. The MCU has been taking some pretty big critical hits from pop culture in 2023 and this film unfortunately became the fandom’s sacrificial lamb in their crusade to announce that Marvel is past its prime and is no longer the powerhouse it once was. But from my POV, the film offered plenty of things to enjoy and get excited about moving forward including the stellar mainstream debut of Iman Vellani. The MCU has a long road ahead regarding how it will navigate the rest of its Multiverse Saga, but I will look back fondly on this installment in Phase 5 and am eager to see what happens with the pieces they put in place. 

90s hip hop and Transformers was a combination I never knew I wanted until now. 2018's Bumblebee ushered in a new era for the robots in disguise as the live-action timeline was more or less reset offering the opportunity to tell fresh stories with new voices. Steven Caple Jr’s Transformers Rise of The Beasts was one of the most fun Transformers movies I have seen since the 80s set preboot 5 years prior. With human characters that were engaging and relatable, action that was fun and fast-paced, and a phenomenal nostalgia-inducing soundtrack that truly captured the vibes of the period, you got the makings of one of the most entertaining popcorn flicks of 2023. The future is looking bright for Transformers and their future escapades with characters both within their universe and outside of it.

This beautiful love story from Pixar Animation Studios is one of the feel-good stories of 2023. Elemental is a story of forging your path and accepting love in all forms that left an impression on so many people. So much so that the film gained some incredible post-release legs and managed to turn a profit just before the strikes. With Pixar’s standard baring animation and heartfelt emotional fiber, Elemental is a crowd-pleaser that shows that true love has no real form as long as you have all the right chemistry. 

And now the time has come to showcase my cream of the crop, Let's begin!!!

As Long As We’re Together 

Who knew a simple plumbing job would lead 2 bros on an adventure of a lifetime? Based on the worldwide phenomenon, The Super Mario Bros Movie is one of the most joyous cinematic experiences I had this year. Illumination’s passion for the brand shined throughout the film with tons of references and easter eggs all while delivering a hilarious and action-packed animated adventure. The film was so much fun and put a huge smile on my face as someone who has always had a love for this world and brand. This is a new frontier for Nintendo and the future is looking great for the brothers and potential other properties under the same umbrella. Here’s to more exciting adventures “hatching” real soon. 

It’s Not A Trap, It’s A Face Off

Nearly a decade ago, we were introduced to this band of low-life criminals and misfits. Who knew that they would become some of the most beloved and influential characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe? The Guardians have become one of the most important teams in the MCU for they were the first foray into the cosmic realm of the heroverse and whose involvement was essential to some of the defining moments of Avengers Infinity War and Endgame. Guardians of The Galaxy Vol. 3 saw the definitive conclusion to the story of Groot, Rocket, Drax, Mantis, Nebula, Peter Quill, and Gamora. A wildly emotional send-off for a series no one knew they needed in their lives. A befitting farewell to this team and for James Gunn’s tenure in the MCU. Always remember now and forever: We Are Groot.

Canon Event

In every young man’s life, he is told that eventually, he will have to figure out life on his own. The task becomes hard when he is unsure of who he is. But when he finally recognizes that he is in control of his own destiny, that is when his true power is unleashed. As one of the most anticipated films of the year, Spider-Man Across The SpiderVerse became the literal equivalent of Miles vs Everybody. Fed up with everyone telling him how his life should play out, Miles steps up hugely and breaks the chain holding him down becoming a Spider-Man in control of his own destiny. The film, like its predecessor, is a masterclass in animated storytelling that is hilarious, heartfelt, emotional, and thrilling. It is without question the best-animated film to come out this year. With the world impatiently waiting for the conclusion to the trilogy, only time will tell if Miles is up for the challenge of facing the darkness ahead… himself included.

The Next Mutation

How far would you go to change how people see you? You’d be surprised what people would do to ensure people’s perceptions changed. At the end of the day, sometimes doing things for the right reasons is enough to reshape the world around you. It’s the very lesson that is at the heart of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Mutant Mayhem and why it is such an exciting and hilariously fun animated adventure. The film comes with an authenticity unlike any of the other iterations of Mikey, Donnie, Raph, and Leo. Part of that is having all 4 of our heroes in a half-shell be played by actual teenagers. The banter between them comes from a genuine place and how they play off of each other makes their arcs rewarding and their escapades fun to watch. It is one of the most overlooked animated films to come out this year but it still ushers in a promising and unique era of the turtles. From its animation, its characters, and overall aesthetic, I can’t wait to see what this new turtle universe has in store down the pipeline.

Snow Lands On Top

No one is born bad. It’s a common misconception that we have as a culture that the most evil people on the planet came out of the womb with the intention of causing chaos and destruction. What is conveniently left out is that the people we have around us have more of an influence on who we become. Many love to blame the monster but never have the same level of scorn for the makers of the monster. The Hunger Games: The Ballard of Songbirds and Snakes explores the complex origins of one of the series’ most important characters in an emotionally gritty and timely film. The prequel continues to showcase the incredible staying power of this franchise while adding context to a world beloved by so many. The story of the boy who did things out of desperation who transitions into a man who will do anything out of necessity no matter how malicious or cruel is a chilling reminder of what happens when the things we love most destroy what little humanity we have in this brutal world. No matter what hope you have, no matter what song you sing, no matter what home you claim, in the end…Snow will always land on top.

2023 was a lot but one can’t deny the ride it was. Hope this year was everything you hoped for and more. Check back tomorrow as we open our next book known as 2024. Have a safe New Year's Eve and I’ll catch you on day one of the next 365.