There can be only one… or five. My top five movie picks of 2012
As I sit here at my laptop, having survived the apocalypse, I realize that I have to actually write up this article since the meteor/drastic climate change/virus/aliens/zombie infestation failed to show up. 2012 has been a great year for movies. As we wait with anticipation for 2013’s releases where men are made of steel, GLaDOS voices a system of robots that fight to save humanity instead of lying about cake, and Tony Stark is having a miserable existence, we should fondly look at some memorable releases of 2012.
Disclaimer: Not every movie in the universe will be on this list as it only pertains to five of my personal picks. If there’s something you feel is missing from the list just remember… I got a brand new kitten for Christmas, so please don’t burn my house down (actually, in reality, I probably just didn’t see your favorite movie yet, but I really did get a new kitten so yay!)
5) Rise of the Guardians – This was a late release surprise for me. Based on the children’s books — which I hadn’t heard of until my partner clued me in — I went in expecting cute when I ended up getting an epic story that focuses on the importance of believing in things and what it means to truly feel alone and desperately wanting someone to just see you. Needless to say, I definitely left Santa an extra batch of cookies this year and started saying “Jack Frost” more often when it snowed.
4) Wreck-It Ralph – I was excited for this ever since the first trailer. It went well beyond my expectations. It’s more than just a clever throwback to gaming; it’s got a good story with it’s original characters and soon you stop pointing out the gaming nods and start focusing on Ralph, Felix, Vanellope, and Calhoun. It’s essentially this generations “Toy Story,” you go in for the fun and you stay for the intense amount of feelings the movie throws at you.
3) The Amazing Spider-Man – I had such low expectations for this movie because of how terrible the last Spider-man movie was. I also had low expectations because franchise reboots don’t always work out. But “The Amazing Spider-man” proved to be the Spider-man movie we’ve always wanted with a plot that looked at Peter Parker’s parents, his tragic story with Uncle Ben (instead of throwing together a flashback), and him taking the steps in becoming Spider-man.
2) Dark Knight Rises – The exciting conclusion to the Dark Knight trilogy, this movie is how you want all of your trilogies to end. I left the theatre completely satisfied — and a bit misty eyed, at that. Intense, emotional, and a rather interesting twist at the end makes this the perfect ending to Christopher Nolan’s Batman franchise.
1) The Avengers – I thought it would be harder to pick a number one, especially since so many great movies came out in 2012, but it ended up being easier than I thought. This movie has been being built up for as long as I can remember. I’ve sat through the end credits of so many Marvel films just to get a small piece of the still baking Avengers pie. Not only did I get the pie, I got it fresh out the oven with ice cream and caramel sauce.
It’s after Christmas as I write this, o.k.? Lots of desserts have been had.
Avengers is my number one for a lot of reasons — action, effects, great acting, that whole thing — but the main reason is this: how Joss Whedon managed to take all of these heroes and successfully put them together as a team. These heroes are big enough on their own. Each of them have their own franchises and namesakes. Yes, Avengers has worked in the comics and as an ongoing animated series, but for what you can do in several issues and episodes was now being turned into a 2 and a half hour film. Would that be enough time? Could it be done properly?
Hell yes.
To me, this movie wouldn’t have been nearly as successful if not for the dynamic between the characters. It would’ve been so easy to have them come together and click “for the greater good.” Instead, there’s tension and apprehension in the group. This makes that final battle in the end worth it, because you feel like this team work developed over time. Yes, the world needs saving, that doesn’t mean that Captain America doesn’t think that Ironman is an asshole. Realistically, there’s no way someone as good natured as Captain America would get along with Ironman. There’s also no way that Thor isn’t going to want to go off and get Loki, especially since he feels that Loki is his responsibility and his criminal to catch. Not to mention that he’s a flippin’ god, already believing that he’s above all of this. Then there’s the Hulk, who no one really seems to trust — least of all himself. I like that the movie kept this in mind and created this uneasiness among everyone. No one is doubting that the world needs heroes, but this movie made these heroes feel normal and on our level. They don’t get along right away, they don’t agree with one another, they have to learn to work together — literally, right down to the fact that they have different techniques and are use to doing things on their own.
I also loved how both Hawkeye and Black Widow were important to the team. Neither character is gifted with super powers, but by the end of the movie you might as well call them Avengers too. Since both are agents of S.H.I.E.L.D it also made the agency feel like they were doing more than just watching the heroes throw down. They can gather the heroes, sure, but they also have agents who are capable of doing some damage of their own. And yes, I am extremely biased, because I’m so, so so so so so happy that Black Widow got to kick some ass. I absolutely love that she was, essentially, treated like one of the guys. There was no, “Stand back, woman,” or moments of her questioning if she was strong enough to stay in the fight. No, oh no, she was faking Loki out with her moment of emotional weakness and bouncing off Captain America’s shield like the rest of them. Someone once asked Joss Whedon why he writes such strong female characters, to which he answered, “Because you’re still asking me that question.” I feel like Black Widow embodies that quote since she not only stood with the heroes, she stayed and fought until the very end.
So kudos to you, Mr. Whedon, and thank you for giving me my favorite movie for years to come.
Honorable mention: To say anything about “Cabin in the Woods” would absolutely spoil it. Just know that this movie gets my vote for surprising me, impressing me, and leaving me staring at the screen wondering, “… did I really just see it?” That and Thor is in it and… come on, it’s Thor!
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