2014 has already been a terrific film year with the likes of Twelve Years A Slave, Lone Survivor, and 20 Feet From Stardom being some of the best movies so far.
However, there have been some movies that really have been a disappointing viewing experience, and we take a look at those movies.
- American Hustle
American Hustle may have been one of the most acclaimed films of the year, but it was one that really disappointed me the most.
I am a big fan of David O'Russell and Christian Bale, Bradley Cooper, Amy Adams, Jennifer Lawrence, & Jeremy Renner are some of the best actors in Hollywood, however, the movie really did leave me underwhelmed.
Despite the fine performances from the entire cast, for me, these characters are just not compelling enough. They all have their interesting moments, but that interest is not built on or held by the script.
On top of all that, the script does feel a little out of control as there is con after con after con, and it ends up a little convoluted and muddled.
American Hustle is nowhere near as smart, sharp, and funny as I was expecting. It was a major disappointing movie experience.
- I, Frankenstein
I always like to see famous literary characters likes Frankenstein on the big screen, as they have the potential to make truly intriguing movies.
I, Frankenstein was an adaptation of the graphic novel by Kevin Grevioux, and sees Stuart Beattie in the director's chair.
I, Frankenstein is a movie that sadly, doesn't quite work. There is no doubt that there are some good ideas here, with some of the fight scenes and the special effects looking fantastic.
However, it is a bit of a disjoined mess as Beattie jumps from one scene and moment to the next without a real cohesion.
On paper, the central character of Adam is a complex one: he is neither human nor demon and doesn't really belong anywhere. Instead, he is turned into a 2D character where none of this early promise is truly explored.
- The Monuments Men
The Monuments Men marked the return of George Clooney to the director's chair, as he brought the book of the same name to the big screen.
The film starred Clooney, Matt Damon, Bill Murray, Jean Dujardian, & John Goodman as men who go behind enemy lines to save valuable pieces of art in World War II.
This is the kind of film that I desperately want to rave about, as the cast is top notch and the premise is incredibly original and has bags of potential.
Don't get me wrong, I did like this film, but I was just expecting something more. We never truly get to know the monuments men - they are still like strangers at the end of the film.
There is a great camaraderie between the central cast, but none of the truly get under the skin of their character. This movie really doesn't reach the dizzy heights that we were all expecting: that is a major shame, as I am a huge fan of Clooney as a filmmaker.
- RoboCop
It was back in 1988 when RoboCop blasted onto the big screen for the first time. The iconic crime fighter returned earlier this year, with José Padilha in the director's chair.
Like the first film, RoboCop follows Alex Murphy: he is turned into a part-man, part-robot officer when killed in the line of duty.
The main issue with RoboCop, is that is doesn't make any significant improvement or changes when compared to the original. You do end up asking yourself, what was the point of making it?
There is no doubt that it is action packed, slick and looks great, but there is just too much recycled from the first film.
I would have preferred to see Padilha and co put their own stamp on this film to relaunch what could be a hugely successful franchise.
- The Amazing Spider-Man 2
The Amazing Spider-Man 2 comes two years after the success of The Amazing Spider Man, and sees Andrew Garfield back in the title role & Marc Webb in the director's chair.
The Amazing Spider-Man 2 may be on course to be another successful instalment of the franchise; this is a film that left me really cold.
The narrative is all over the place and there are far too many characters in the mix for my liking: this really detracts from some great central performances and terrific special effects.
Sadly, The Amazing Spider-Man 2 fails to entertain and is far too childish: it really pales in comparison when you hold up against something like the Christopher Nolan's Batman franchise.
No doubt, we will get a third instalment of the franchise, as the box office performance has ensured its survival. Perhaps they should work more closely on developing a great script for the next film... just a thought!!
Other movies that haven't quite lived up to our expectations are Noah, Godzilla, and The Other Woman.
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