IT’S BEEN A WONDERFUL YEAR FOR FILM
IAN BUNTING looks back at the best movies of 2017
10 Thor Ragnarock (12) Released: October
New Zealander Taika Waititi leads the Thor series in exciting new directions in arguably the funniest Marvel movie yet.
Chris Hemsworth gives a career-best performance as the God of Thunder and it’s wonderful getting to see Jeff Goldblum cut loose.
The colourful visuals are breathtaking and peak with an awe-inspiring, fiery finale.
9 It (15) Released: September
This slick, scary and speedy thrill ride reboot is one of the best adaptation of Stephen King’s work.
Bill Skarsgard chills as evil clown Pennywise and the potty-mouthed young protagonists are the perfect mix of fear, fun and fury.
Tension and drawn-out scares are chosen over severed limbs and stalk-and-slash pursuits to give clowns a whole new bad name.
8 Logan (15) Released: March
Logan marks a fitting farewell for Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine after 10 appearances for the clawed mutant.
The star and helmer James Mangold go down the more adult road with a sombre-but-soulful affair.
Jackman has never been better and seems to relish playing a past his prime Wolverine.
7 Wonder Woman (12) Released: June
Gal Gadot rises to the challenge of helping to save the DC Cinematic Universe in Patty Jenkins’wildly entertaining crowd-pleaser.
Jenkins shows a sure hand when it comes to blending human beats with soaring set pieces, with humour, peril and an inspirational heroine combining to make Wonder Woman one of the finest comic book origin stories yet.
6 La La Land (12) Released: January
Sure to leave a beaming smile on your face as you lap up its giddy joy and brilliance, La La Land is another, very different, musical-themed triumph for writer-director Damien Chazelle (Whiplash).
Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling share off-the-charts chemistry and the musical showpieces are astounding, with instantly catchy songs you’ll be humming for days.
5 Get Out (15) Released: March
Conventions are thrown out the window in this fantastic, racially-charged modern horror.
Daniel Kaluuya gives a wonderful lead turn and Allison Williams also impresses in a role that requires much more than it initially appears.
The story twists are effective and surprising and the film transforms into something very imaginative in the closing stages.
4 Star Wars: The Last Jedi (12) Released: December
The latest episode of the sci-fi saga is one of its boldest and most surprising entries yet.
Mark Hamill is in career-best form as the returning Luke Skywalker and performances are strong all across the board.
The final third is outstanding as all of the parts come together and genuine shocks leave you reeling.
3 Spider-Man Homecoming (12) Released: July
Spidey’s second reboot is Marvel’s webslinger’s finest movie outing since 2004’s classic Spider-Man 2.
Tom Holland’s charming, excitable lead tangles with high school life, romance and Michael Keaton’s manic-but-grounded antagonist The Vulture.
Jon Watts’dizzying camera work adds scale and peril and there are laughs aplenty courtesy of a riotous script.
2 Baby Driver (15) Released: June
Breezy, breathless and defying expectations, Baby Driver is a joy from start to finish.
The action is dialled up to 11 as Ansel Elgort’s getaway driver spins, smashes and soars through the streets – all to the sound of a stunning soundtrack.
Director Edgar Wright layers the burning rubber with humours, sweetness and light.