Blockbusters are always the event movies of any year, the films that are surrounded in the most hype and, usually, make the most money at the box office.
2013 has been another great year for this genre as we have seen Marvel continue their dominance, Superman return to the big screen, the latest instalments of franchises and being introduced to some new ones.
We take a look at the trio of blockbusters that we have really enjoyed this year and that have stood out above the rest.
- The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
The minute that it was announced that Peter Jackson was returning to the director’s chair for The Hobbit I was excited for the project as The Lord of Rings is my #1 experience in a cinema of all time.
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey was a movie that did not disappoint for me, and I have been looking forward to The Desolation of Smaug all year. The wait was well worth it as it is one of the best blockbusters that I have seen all year.
Right from the get-go, The Desolation of Smaug takes a much darker turn as you can feel Jackson really tightening the screw and up the levels of danger - not unlike what he did with The Two Towers.
However, when it came to this film, there was only one character that just about everyone was waiting to see… of course, I am talking about Smaug. Weta have once again outdone themselves, as Smaug is just the most wonderful creation.
Despite the shadow of Smaug lying over the story so far, we have only caught small glimpses of the character… now we get to see him in his full glory. The scenes between Smaug and Bilbo Baggins are some of the best moments in the film as the pair banter well together - Smaug voiced by the terrific Benedict Cumberbatch.
Everything is bigger and better this time around from the story, character development and the visuals as Jackson builds up the epic conclusion. However, we have another year to wait before we get to see the final battle.
- Iron Man 3
2012 really did belong to Marvel, as Avengers Assemble was a box office smash, going on to gross over $1.5 billion worldwide. It was always going to be interesting to see how Phase 2 movies were going to fair.
Iron Man 3 kicked off Phase 2 with a bang as Robert Downey Jr returned to the character of Tony Stark, in a film that was set in the aftermath of the battle of New York.
It is always fantastic to see Downey Jr take on this role, as he has totally and utterly made it his own; I fail to see how any other actor could follow in his footsteps should he choose not to make another stand alone film.
Iron Man 3 is as funny as it is action packed as Downey Jr is at his witty and sarcastic best; he really has made Iron Man one of the most entertaining superhero characters of all time.
This is the darkest instalment of the Iron Man franchise to date as Stark is having a tough time with dealing with the events of Avengers.
Iron Man 3 is the movie that really sees Stark think about who he is and what he has become as he has never really accepted and come to terms with what has happened to him since the first film.
It really is a great performance by Downey Jr as he shows more layers to this character than we have ever seen before. What has worked so well for this franchise over the last few years as the audiences has never lost sight of the man inside the suit.
Through in some fantastic set pieces, action sequences and visual effects and you have a movie that is fast-paced and fantastically exciting. Iron Man 3 remains the biggest grossing movie of the year so far as it remains, for now, the only film to gross over $1 billion.
- The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire looks set to be the other film that could well break $1 billion as it continues to dominate the box office around the world.
Catching Fire is the second of Suzanne Collins’ book series to be adapted for the big screen, and comes a year after the success of the first. The film picks up where the first left off as Katniss and Peeta set off on their victory tour of Panem. However, they are soon plunged back into the horror of the arena as they compete in the Quarter Quell.
Catching Fire is a triumph from start to finish as director Francis Lawrence delivers an incredibly faithful adaptation of the popular book. The movie is much darker than the first and the themes of politics and inequality in Panem are explored.
Francis does not rush to get to the Quarter Quell, as he focuses in some detail on the struggle that people living in the districts of Panem are facing; it helps show what Katniss and co are fighting for and against.
Jennifer Lawrence returns to the role of Katniss Everdeen, in what is another fantastic turn by the Oscar winning actress. Lawrence truly embodies the strength of this character, as well as her vulnerability, uncertainty and fear.
Catching Fire really does build up to what will be an epic conclusion with the two parts of Mockingjay: they will be released in 2014 and 2015.
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire has topped the box office around the world, and has so far grossed in excess of $700 million worldwide. The film looks set to get close if not break the $1 billion barrier and become one of the highest grossing movies of the year.
Other blockbuster movies that have been a lot of fun this year include Thor: The Dark World, Star Trek Into Darkness, Pacific Rim and Man of Steel.
Tagged in Iron Man The Hobbit The Hunger Games