From action to romance to kids’ movies, many highly anticipated films came out this summer. Some were beautiful works of art, while others were a colossal letdown. With an abundance of movies to see, I have taken on the honor and challenge of determining what movies are worth your attention. Each movie will be rated based mostly on its plot, direction (e.g. cinematography, acting) and overall enjoyment. No spoilers. 

“The Bad Guys 2”

As a fan of the first movie, “The Bad Guys 2” was released on August 1 and honestly, could definitely be a skip. Like the original, it follows the group as they struggle to adjust to the ‘good’ life. While there are some lessons and interesting concepts for children, there are many better movies from the past (e.g. “Cars,” “Frozen,” “WALL-E”) with these ideas in mind that parents can put on at home. 

Similarly, my biggest critique of this movie is that it is only entertaining for kids, if that. They may have slipped in a few adult jokes, but as the people taking the kids to the movie theaters, you deserve to have a good time, too. This is unfortunately something that the majority of the industry has forgotten. The voice acting and animation style were the only aspects I truly admired, and they perfectly encapsulated the characters. 

Altogether, I would rate this movie a 4/10, and would have enjoyed just rewatching the first one over seeing this new release.  

“Materialists”

I was super excited to see “Materialists” on June 13, yet it ended up being my biggest disappointment of the summer. The movie focuses on the life of matchmaker Lucy and includes a prevalent love triangle. The movie’s box-office success should only be attributed to the popularity of the actors, including Dakota Johnson, Chris Evans and Pedro Pascal, along with the false marketing of this drama as ‘bringing back rom-coms.’ The movie attempted to balance messages about money, relationships, online dating and more, and it did a good job in the beginning. Without spoiling the ending, my most pressing issue with the film’s plot is how choppy it felt by the end, as well as the lack of character growth. For all its faults, I am at least glad it was a somewhat original movie compared to companies releasing yet another sequel. 

The decision to transition scenes from Harry (Pedro) directly to John (Chris) was an ingenious way to clearly depict the differences between the two characters. A lot of the shots were taken in unique ways or from unusual angles, which can be appreciated if done right. However, many of them were not executed well and felt awkward, leaving the audience wondering where to look. The main and supporting actors’ performances were probably the best part, with Pedro and Dakota having the best chemistry. Their facial expressions accurately demonstrated what the character was thinking, which is very important in a film with slower pacing and silent scenes.

In the end, there were more bad moments than good ones. Taking each of these factors into consideration, I would give this movie a 4.5/10 and recommend not wasting time or money on it.

“The Fantastic Four: First Steps”

“The Fantastic Four: First Steps,” which came out on July 25, was the first movie from this Marvel Cinematic Universe fr

anchise in 10 years. Like a lot of MCU movies, it incorporated plot lines from other MCU movies and set up the films to come, especially with the end-credit scenes. I also appreciated how easy it was to follow along for audiences and 

did not just cater to fans of the MCU. 

That said, the actual plot was subpar and unrealistic, and I’m not just talking about the magic or science. For example, being able to get the entire world on the same page is improbable at the very least. The actors, on the other hand, paid great attention to the details even when the dialogue didn’t inherently reflect that, and audiences will not always recognize their contributions. 

With all this in mind, I would rate the movie a 6/10. It is definitely a movie that you should wait and watch on Disney+ in three months or later on other streaming services for free. 

“Karate Kid: Legends”

What should have been a Netflix movie was instead released on May 30 and is titled “Karate Kid: Legends.” The plot is identical in a lot of ways to the original movie – including direct dialogue or flashbacks and the same character struggles – with some new aspects thrown in, like animated sequences. If you’re looking for the same vibes as the original, it was a much more modern feel that threw the movie off. 

The cinematography incorporated a mix of fresh, new styles. For example, the use of continuous or shaky shots made the movie appear more lifelike and as if the audience was inside the universe with the characters. The negative to this is that sometimes the fight choreography was difficult to discern. I felt lost and even dizzy as I struggled to comprehend what was happening, which was upsetting considering how big of a part it has in the movie and how well designed it was.

It is not the worst choice if you pick this movie to see. However, I would rather see the original in theaters for an anniversary than this. All in all, it is worth a 6.5/10.

#5: “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning”

From the very second the movie started on May 23, I was bombarded with the thought that “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning” is the last installment of the franchise. As much as I love action movies and appreciate reminiscing about this trailblazing franchise, it tried to fit too much in one movie, and some of the connections they made were random. It was quite repetitive of the last movie–which I liked much more than this one–with its ideas about AI. The team is separated for a lot of the movie, so if you love the foundation of the family dynamic, you may be a little upset at some parts. 

This movie is just as entertaining and predictable as the majority of the franchise. I’m not saying I won’t miss the classic theme song, but I just wish Ethan Hunt wasn’t always saying or doing the same things with minimal development over the years. The action sequences had me on the edge of my seat and holding my breath, even more so once you find the behind-the-scenes footage. I wish there were a little more comedic relief to balance it out. 

Looks like audiences will have to wait and see if this is really the last venture of Ethan Hunt or if they will revisit this world in some other way. At least for now, my last impression of this franchise will be a 7/10.

#4: “Lilo & Stitch”

A movie that shaped many people’s childhoods hit theaters on May 23 as a remake of “Lilo & Stitch.” Like many of the Disney remakes, this one was riddled with controversy. It is unclear what these live actions will look like in the future, but so far, I have yet to hate any with a burning passion. I liked that they expanded upon aspects briefly mentioned in the movie. However, writers need to pick what parts are most important to elaborate on, as some scenes did not need to be there and the run time could be decreased to its original length. 

Many of the changes they made, I personally liked. For example, the added realism and depth to Nani’s situation, as well as what was best for Lilo, really created a whole new dimension to the movie. Not to mention, Maia Kealoha, playing Lilo, has so much star power for someone so young. The jokes and music matched the movie. I didn’t notice too many errors in the CGI, or at least they didn’t take away my immersion. 

The movie was not perfect by any means, but it was still an interesting one to watch. See it for yourself when it comes to Disney+ on September 3 or find it on other streaming services, and determine if the movie deserves the 7.5/10 I give it. 

#3 & 2 Tie: “Jurassic World Rebirth” and “Superman”

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If you were not interested in either of these franchises before, you may be converted after watching “Jurassic World Rebirth” on July 2 and “Superman” on July 11. Although with completely different premises, the movies were highly similar in other ways. For example, both followed the stereotypical plot lines, but balanced them out with novel components. Not only were the movies entertaining, but they also made various social comments that hit hard in the current polarized state of the world. The cinematography and CGI in both looked good to me as a viewer, and the actors gave some amazing performances that really topped everything off. 

These movies left me dazed and pondering in my chair as I watched the credits roll. They both receive a solid 8/10. 

#1: “How to Train Your Dragon” 

Not only did going to “How to Train Your Dragon” on June 13 make for the best movie I’ve seen in a while, but it is one of the most faithful live-action films I have seen. The original source material from the animation was one of my personal favorites, as it had all the ups and downs of a good movie. I was initially nervous to see what they would do with it in the remake, but to my surprise, they kept a majority of the moments in and even expanded on some things or confirmed them as canon. Further, the actors were made for these roles, and I cannot imagine anyone else playing them. The CGI for worldbuilding and the dragons was amazing to see as someone who grew up with and loved the cartoon original.

If I wanted to be really picky, I could, but it was clear that a lot of time and energy went into making this right for the fans and audience members. Instead of raving about this movie, I’ll simply say it is an 8.5/10, and regardless of whether you are a kid or adult this is the one movie I will say I would always recommend because I believe almost anyone can enjoy it.

Despite the initial promising lineup, I found the movies this summer to be relatively underwhelming. However, that does not mean I didn’t learn at least one thing from each of these movies. As a film enthusiast, I am also a firm believer in refusing to judge a movie and form a definitive opinion before watching something for yourself. The key is finding what you look for in a great movie. So, if any of the factors mentioned above stand out to you, chances are you will have the same experience as me. If not, and you think I missed something, comment below with a list of your favorite movies from this summer and share why these new additions made the top of your list.