REVIEW OF THE YEAR ....
Despite a troubled production, this spin-off was far from the disaster many feared.
Alden Ehrenreich gave a charismatic, charming performance as Han and Donald Glover’s Lando was the epitome of cool.
The set-pieces peaked with a thrilling, wintry train robbery and nice callbacks featured throughout. Who would’ve thought a movie by a debut director shot almost entirely on smartphones and computer screens would be worthy of comparison with Hitchcock.
But Aneesh Chagant’s Searching was a heartpounding thriller packed with shocking twists, unbearable tension and a career-best turn from John Cho.
Mission: Impossible – Fallout
Still going strong six entries in, Mission: Impossible is one of the finest film franchises ever.
That’s thanks in no small part to leading man Tom Cruise, back once again and this time butting heads with Superman himself, Henry Cavill.
The action set a new high for the series with some incredible, death-defying stunts. This infectiously entertaining first solo adventure for the King of Wakanda was another home run from Marvel.
Chadwick Boseman’s lead was the perfect blend of gravitas, charm and courage and he was given great support from Danai Gurira, Letitia Wright and Michael B Jordan’s fascinating, multi-layered antagonist.
Directors the Russo brothers did an expert job of juggling the cavalcade of characters and cinema is rarely this instantly iconic.
I’ve rarely heard a cinema rattle with the collective sound of hundreds of jaws dropping as the staggering climax left audiences dazed. A Netflix-only release that proved Ex Machina was no fluke for Alex Garland.
The Londoner’s second directorial effort was every bit as gripping, thought-provoking and intelligent as his debut.
Unforgettable imagery coincided with excellent performances from Natalie Portman, Tessa Thompson and Oscar Isaac. Driving Three Billboards was a never-better Frances McDormand as an emotional mother out to solve her daughter’s murder.
There was black humour running throughout and this wasn’t one for the PC brigade; best emphasised by Sam Rockwell’s boozed-up, racist cop.
It was a very unpredictable watch, too, as it veered off into wild new directions. Saying more with actions, atmosphere and anxiety than most films do with thousands of words, A Quiet Place was a superb, tense ride.
It was a simple premise but more than just a gimmick as real-life husband-and-wife John Krasinski and Emily Blunt shone.
Right from the brutal opening, there was barely a chance to relax. The Shape of Water. Guillermo del Toro (The Shape of Water). Gary Oldman (Darkest Hour).
McDormand(Three Billboards).
Sam Rockwell (Three Billboards).
Janey (I, Tonya). It feels a bit harsh kicking a man when he’s down, but the actor-director went from the role of a lifetime as Batman to spending 40 days in rehab.
Hopefully Affleck has now conquered his alcohol addiction and can get his career back on track.
It appears that may not be as the Caped Crusader, though, as rumours suggest he will be replaced in Matt Reeves’ upcoming solo outing The Batman and the planned Justice League sequel.