My Top 5 Films of Summer 2017

Another summer blockbuster season draws to an end with more uncertainty than ever in Hollywood. Look everywhere and you'll here stories of reduced box-office takings as cinema tries to fight back against the tide of video on demand services such as Netflix. However, for my money, Summer 2017 for film has been a pretty good one. There's been the usual expected superhero fare, box-office bombs and throwaway trash (Transformers 5, Pirates 5 and the now infamous Emoji Movie springing to mind) however I would say there has been a higher level of quality than in previous years. So, without further ado, here are my top five films of Summer 2017.

Honourable Mention - The Red Turtle

Can I count The Red Turtle as a Summer film? It was a film and I did see it in the summer. However, this Studio Ghibli produced Danish animated film is in a different kind of calibre than the other films on this list. It's an absolute treat and a masterpiece of minimalist story-telling.

http://nincronyreviews.blogspot.co.uk/2017/06/the-red-turtle.html

Honourable Mention - Baby Driver

While Baby Driver didn't win me over as much as some, mostly due to its standard script and predictable story, the actual filmmaking technique of the film more than recommends a viewing. Edgar Wright continues to prove he is the modern master of action-comedy films, as every frame of Baby Driver is perfectly judged and constructed. Just pick a better script next time Edgar...

http://nincronyreviews.blogspot.co.uk/2017/07/baby-driver.html

And now ... the list

5. War For The Planet of the Apes

OK, I wanted this one to be the film of the summer, given how great the first two films of the better-than-they-should-be reboot trilogy of the classic sci-fi series. And while War does struggle with a shaky first half, it settles into a very grim and depressing mood as the conflict between Caeser's apes and the humans reaches its apex. It's heady stuff that manages to hit the right emotional moments whilst dealing with intelligent themes, all with the expected awe-inspiring action scenes we have come to expect. Shame this one didn't do too cracking at the box-office...

http://nincronyreviews.blogspot.co.uk/2017/08/war-for-planet-of-apes.html

4. Spider-Man: Homecoming

This one took me by complete surprise. I was ready for another bland Marvel film and yawned at the idea of yet another take on Spider-Man. However, Homecoming brought a new found sense of high-energy to the character, powered by an insanely likeable central performance by Tom Holland. The whole film and Holland's take on Peter Parker just has this nervous energy which is simply infectious. Even the villain managed to be interesting!

http://nincronyreviews.blogspot.co.uk/2017/07/spider-man-homecoming.html

3. Wonder Woman

The biggest surprise of the summer! Just when it seemed that DC was down and out for the count, along comes Wonder Woman, an exciting and nearly perfectly judged superhero film. With great performances from Gal Gadot and Chris Pine with a surprisingly thoughtful script, Wonder Woman is the perfect balance of popcorn fun. Hopefully this is a good sign for future DC films and female-led superhero flicks. Ignore the dissenters - this is a great time.

http://nincronyreviews.blogspot.co.uk/2017/06/wonder-woman.html

2. Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2

I came out of Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2 having thoroughly enjoyed it but thinking it was not as good as the original. However, the more it has sat with me, the more I have come round to that I think Vol. 2 maybe slightly better. Jettisoning most of its links to the wider Marvel Cinematic Universe, Vol. 2 is clearly more James Gunn's film. Getting deeper and more personal with the characters, Vol. 2 takes the story to interesting new places, whilst bringing along all the zany comedy, bright and colourful action scenes and a wonderful retro soundtrack. Plus, it reaches one of the somberest climaxes in any summer film I've seen. Great stuff.

http://nincronyreviews.blogspot.co.uk/2017/04/guardians-of-galaxy-vol-2.html

1. Dunkirk

Christopher Nolan brought one of the biggest and loudest films of the summer in his thrilling reaction of the evacuation of Dunkirk. Dunkirk shows Nolan at the top of his game with one of his best, most confident, films. Eschewing the usual Nolan tendencies, Dunkirk is masterful filmmaking. The whole white-kunckle experience leaves one shell-shocked. It simply must be seen to be believed, on the biggest screen possible.

http://nincronyreviews.blogspot.co.uk/2017/07/dunkirk.html