#5. Cloud Atlas
The only way I can truly think of to describe this film is “complex”. There are a vast number of themes, storylines, and characters which all attempt to weave together into a coherent whole. A few very questionable choices aside (the makeup in particular lends to some… possible racial insensitivity), this film does what it sets out to do. Concepts like reincarnation, everlasting love, government corruption, insanity and cowardice, slavery, racial equality, and genocide all find their way into the movie. The general premise is that it follows six storylines over six different time periods, and shows how the actions of people in the past can directly affect the fate of all mankind in the future. This movie virtually demands multiple viewings. That said, even with mixed reactions, I think it merits inclusion in this list for sheer ambition alone. We need more movies like this to get made. Specifically, movies that try to be daring and different.
#4. Skyfall
I am going to have to jump on the bandwagon and say that this is the best James Bond movie ever made. I was disappointed to see them abandon the story they had told in Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace, but that is one of the only major gripes I have with the film. The cinematography was gorgeous - in my opinion, the best of the year. Daniel Craig, Javier Bardem, and Judi Dench all gave downright tremendous performances. The story turned into a fun game of cat and mouse, with espionage being a vehicle used to tell a character-driven tale rather than another rote “save the world” plotline. This was clearly a very different kind of James Bond film, but hasn’t that been the goal of this rebooted continuity, to tell different kinds of stories? Well, Craig has been signed up for two more films. Hopefully the overarching narrative returns, and he manages to go out with a bang.
#3. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
Slipping back into Middle-Earth felt a lot like going home after a lengthy vacation. A lot of people bemoan Peter Jackson turning such a short book into three films. As I watched this, though, I felt immensely satisfied with this first leg in the journey. There were a lot of scenes that went a little long, however I found myself happily lingering in them rather than feeling a drag. The scope was incredible, Martin Freeman easily stole the show as Bilbo Baggins, and the “Riddles in the Dark” section is worth the price of admission alone. I remain nothing but enthused by the idea of seeing this series continue next year.
#2. Avengers
No movie was anywhere near as much fun as The Avengers this year. From the first Tony Stark quip to the Hulk having more fun than his previous two films combined, surprise and youthful energy bounded through the entire film. Every performance was spot on, every action set piece felt like a comic brought to life, and there’s no denying that the final act held some of the most overwhelming thrills to be had all summer. What more is there to say? There’s a reason it’s one of the highest-grossing films of all time.
#1. The Dark Knight Rises
Looking back on the list, this appears to have been the year of big movies. Almost every film here was around three hours in length (some a little longer, some a little shorter). Choosing my favorite movie of the year was an incredibly difficult call. So let me make one thing clear - The Avengers and The Dark Knight Rises are both equally fantastic, for very different reasons. In the end I felt like The Dark Knight Rises had a story with more grandeur and twists to it. While it was not as “fun” as The Avengers, there was an undeniable power in watching the journey of Bruce Wayne finally come to an end. Bane made for a fantastic adversary, giving Batman a physical challenge as well as a psychological one, while the last few turns in the story brought the entire trilogy together in a satisfying manner. A few editing hiccups aside, this movie was on the verge of flawless.
*******
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