Best Movies of Summer 2010

The official summer movie extravaganza has once again come to a close.

Each year, fans of big, popcorn movies look forward to whatever the summer schedule may bring.  Typically, summer is when studios wait to unleash their biggest blockbusters, their smashing successes, and their over-hyped movies with nothing but CGI adventures.

With students across the nation heading back to school next week, the summer of 2010 has come and gone, but fans of film have once again been treated to an explosive summer of entertainment.

While movies like Piranha 3D are certainly hoping to get in on some of that summer box office gold, it’s too little too late.  And as such, we are left looking back on this past summer and how it matched up to previous ones.  Was it better?  Worse?  Did our favorite releases live up to our expectations?  Did the latest sequel live up to the previous installment?

Let us know what you think.  What are your Top 5 summer movies of 2010?

Friday Five:  Best Movies of Summer 2010

Honorable Mention:  Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World

While it may be a known fact, by now, that Scott Pilgrim tanked at the box office, it has to be mentioned here.  The movie is pure popcorn entertainment aimed directly at audience members responsible for successful summer box offices.  Sure, no one went to see it, but they should have.  Pilgrim represents entertainment in its purest form, from opening credits to the movie’s end.  It’s not a perfect movie, nor should it be nominated for an Oscar any time soon, but what summer popcorn movie really should?

#5.  The A-Team

Let’s face it, the remake of the popular television series has absolutely everything you need for a successful summer action film.  The movie is filled with over-the-top CGI action, ridiculous characters perfectly portrayed by amazing actors, and most importantly, the movie is pure fun.  It certainly wasn’t the best that this summer had to offer, but it was miles above so many other fluff weekends lacking exactly what this movie succeeded in most: fun.

#4.  Iron Man 2

Iron Man 2 was surely more of the same, but that’s never really a bad thing when it comes to the director/actor combo of Robert Downey Jr and Jon Favreau.  Favreau understands the characters and the comics in which these stories are based on, while Downey portrays Stark better than any other actor in a comic-book adaptation,period (sorry Christian Bale).

Not only is Downey a blast to watch on screen here, but Favreau’s visual flare and style leave audiences perfectly entertained.  You can’t help but be caught up in the action and mayhem that takes place during this movie’s runtime.  And much like The A-Team, this movie is a shining example of everything needed for a quality summer movie experience.

#3.  Predators

Predators is an action packed, over-the-top adrenyline rush from beginning to end.  The movie barely gives you a chance to breathe during its quick runtime (save for the scenes involving Lawrence Fishburne), and is perfectly executed by the very talented filmmaker Nimrod Antal.  The movie literally opens with Adrian Brody awakening during a free-fall and the movie never really stops to let up in its intensity.  Characters are slowly hunted and killed off, typically one by one, leaving audiences guessing as to who is going to be the next to go.

Not to mention that each of the characters are specialists in killing, in one form or another, and you’ve got one explosive cast for one explosive movie.  The plot is incredibly solid, especially for a movie based on the popular Predators characters, and will hopefully serve as the resurrection for this deadbeat franchise.  This sequel is miles above last year’s Terminator Salvation, in every way possible.

#2.  Inception

What can one really say about Inception that hasn’t already been said?  The movie was loved by audiences, loved by critics, and has made nearly $600 Million worldwide in just six weeks of release.  It is a great movie, a solid popcorn adventure (especially in the last thirty minutes or so), and has a great story to tell.  It’s rare when things come together so well in a movie, but Christopher Nolan continues to create some of the best movies Hollywood has ever seen.  The movie will keep you in discussion long after the final credits roll, and that’s a good thing.

#1.  Toy Story 3

Toy Story 3 is not only a perfect summer movie, it is a perfect movie.  It is one of the rare sequels that outdoes both of its predecessors, which is quite an accomplishment considering what has come before it.  Pixar has continually created summer successes for the last several years, and it is nothing short of astounding that the company is still producing some of the best movies ever made.

Toy Story 3 is everything audiences could be looking for in a summer movie; action, adventure, plot, and character.  Its CGI created world is more defined than any of the other movies on this list.  The movie has characters you actually care about, which is an accomplishment compared to other summer outings.  This movie has a strong chance at being the first animated movie to ever win Best Picture at the Oscars, and that’s saying something.

Article written by Matt Wehner on GotchaMovies.com. Reposted with permission.