And at last, time for the final category of the summer and perhaps the season's most beloved genre: best action films. 2009 was a rarity in this decade because it wasn’t dominated by superhero movies. Only one came out and it barely made the list, whereas last year there were three and I probably would have ranked them all in my top five.
5. “X-Men Origins: Wolverine”
4. “Public Enemies”
3. “The Hurt Locker”
The only reason I don’t have “The Hurt Locker” higher is because this is foremost a top five action movie list and this film is too sophisticated and intelligent to be action ahead of drama, not vice-versa. Despite being No.3 on this list, it would easily make my top five movies of the summer. Rarely do we get an introspective action and suspense film that illuminates modern historical context. There hasn’t been a great movie about the Iraq War and if I were going to be a history teacher in twenty years, I would certainly use this film to teach the class. It gives you a sense of embedded journalism and part of the reason soldiers signed up. Read all my comments here.
2. “District 9”
When I first saw the trailer for “District 9” I was impressed by the visuals but skeptical because I’d heard nothing about it prior to the summer. “Peter Jackson presents” didn’t exactly hook me by the balls like it did some people, but in retrospect maybe I should’ve let it. (Although I guess by that principle I have to see “The Lovely Bones” this winter). What a refreshingly original sci-fi story with plenty of action and all with a tight budget. If this is possible with only $30 million, think of all the great original action movies we could have in the future. The fact that “District 9” makes it up near the top of the list is a fantastic middle finger at movies like “G.I. Joe” and “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” and I love that. Read all my comments here.
1. “Star Trek”
What hasn’t J.J Abrams touched and not turned to gold? “Cloverfield” got mixed response (although I was a big fan) and LOST is one of TVs best, so imagine my excitement to find out he was taking the reigns of the “Star Trek” reboot. This re-creation was everything “Star Trek” needed to succeed in the 21st Century (ironically). Young but talented actors and a great origin story with top-notch special effects and “Star Trek” became 2009’s first completely legitimate hit. It might not have been as original and creative, but it was the only film to exist already in pop culture that was truly great and it deserves that kind of kudos.
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