Our Hollwood Blockbuster picks
From Han Solo’s earlier life to Dwayne Johnson stuck in a Skyscraper, James Croot sifts through the season’s crowdpleasing movies.
Next week heralds the start of the annual Hollywood blockbuster season. From now until the end of August, our multiplexes will be filled with big-budget spectacles, designed to awe and inspire with their tales of far-off worlds, far-out scenarios and countless variations on spandex attire.
We’ve sifted through the line-up headed our way over the next four months to give you Stuff’s guide to the 12 movies you must-see, from female-led comedies to Jason Statham battling a megalodon.
Avengers: Infinity War (April 25)
Forget DC’s Justice League or any of the previous Marvel Cinematic Universe superhero gatherings, this is the movie equivalent of WWE’s Royal Rumble bringing together everyone from the Guardians of the Galaxy to Black Panther’s Wakandian royalty to battle against ‘‘the greatest threat our planet has ever seen’’ – Nebula and Gamora’s Dad Thanos (Josh Brolin). At least one major character death is expected.
The Breaker Upperers (May 3)
Hailed by United States critics on its debut at March’s South By Southwest Film Festival, Madeleine Sami and Jackie van Beek’s black comedy focuses on two women who run a business which helps people from all walks of life ‘‘consciously uncouple’’.
With an eclectic cast that also includes Rima Te Wiata, James Rolleston and Rose Matafeo, this Taika Waititi-produced tale fits very much into his other, more Kiwi cinematic universe.
Deadpool 2 (May 16)
Just when you thought you’d had enough Josh Brolin bad guy antics, he turns up as Cable, a new adversary for Ryan Reynolds’ merc-with-a-mouth. Those who loved the 2016 original can expect more censor-baiting violence, button-pushing profanity and anarchic fun. Plus, there’s the added interest of or own Julian Dennison in a role currently shrouded in mystery.
Solo: A Star Wars Story (May 24)
Despite a somewhat troubled production, hopes are high that is standalone Star Wars-prequel will be more Rogue One than Caravan Of Courage. Ron Howard is now the steady hand behind this space adventure which apparently details how Han Solo met Lando Calrissian and acquired the Millennium Falcon.
Ocean’s 8 (June 7)
Initially attracting the same amount of vitriol as 2016’s similarly gender-flipped Ghostbusters, the impressive cast and a couple of exciting trailers have helped generate considerable interest in this Ocean’s trilogy spin-off. Sandra Bullock plays Danny Ocean’s estranged sister Debbie, who attempts to pull off the heist of the century at New York City’s star-studded annual Met Gala. Cate Blanchett, Anne Hathaway, Helena Bonham Carter and Mindy Kaling co-star.
Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (June 21)
Chris Pratt is back with more dino-tastic action. His dinotrainer Owen Grady teams up again with Bryce Dallas Howard’s Claire Dearing when the inhabitants of Isla Nubar are threatened by a volcanic eruption. Of course, all this pales in comparison to the return of Jeff Goldblum’s mathematician Dr Ian Malcolm.
The Incredibles 2 (June 28)
Fourteen years after they helped reinvent the superhero movie, Pixar’s Parr family return for more animated adventures. This time around, our heroes have to deal with a switch in roles as Elastigirl fights crime and campaigns for ‘‘supers’’’ rights, while Mr Incredible stays home to look after the kids, including an increasingly powerful Jack-Jack.
Ant-Man And The Wasp (July 5)
Paul Rudd returns as the pettycriminal-turned-costumed-crimefighter in this sequel to the 2015 hit. He’s joined by Lost and Hobbitseries star Evangeline Lilly, who dons the Wasp costume left to her by her mother and upgraded by dad Hank Pym (Michael Douglas).
Skyscraper (July 12)
Dwayne Johnson plays Will Sawyer, a former FBI Hostage Rescue Team leader, who now assesses security for skyscrapers. He’s convinced that Hong Kong’s The Pearl, is less-than safe, but is having trouble persuading his bosses. Enter a group of terrorists.
Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again (July 19)
If you thought you’d heard the last of Pierce Brosnan’s warbling of Swedish pop tunes – think again. Admittedly, there shouldn’t be too much of him, Colin Firth or Stellan Skarsgard as this is essentially a prequel, detailing how Amanda Seyfried’s character came to be conceived. Features Cher as Seyfried’s grandmother and thus Meryl Streep’s mother.
Mission: Impossible – Fallout (August 2)
Partly filmed in our own backyard, Tom Cruise’s latest outing as Ethan Hunt sees the IMF agent in a race against time, hunted by assassins and former allies, while trying to prevent a global catastrophe and (thanks to an injury sustained by Cruise during the shoot) simply stand without crutches. Promises to include the unadulterated version of Henry Cavill’s much-maligned moustache.
The Meg (August 16)
Another production to grace our shores, this action-adventure has former United Kingdom champion diver Jason Statham taking on a megalodon. Based on Steve Alten’s 1997 book Meg: A Novel Of Deep Terror, it also stars Rainn Wilson, Ruby Rose and our own Cliff Curtis.