5. Wonder Woman (23 points)
Surprisingly not higher in the list ,Wonder Woman is perhaps the most pleasant shock of 2017 so far. After the dreary and not-well-received Man of Steel, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Suicide Squad, many people had written off the DCEU. The trailer for Justice League had installed some confidence, but a string of bad news around The Batman and The Flash spelled trouble. But Wonder Woman proved there was still life in this franchise yet, with one of the best and most pure comic book movies in recent memory. What’s very interesting, however, is that interest in Wonder Woman was so low at the start of 2017 that it didn’t even make it into Flickering Myth’s Most Anticipated Movies. It’s amazing what some good press can do for a movie. With that said, it’s the lowest voted for comic book movie on this list…
“Easily the best comic book movie DC and Warner Bros. have put out since Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight. Now given the DC movies that have come out since The Dark Knight that is an extremely low bar to step over, but Wonder Woman leaps over it and sets a brand new standard. Justice League and Aquaman will have to work very hard to not only follow it, but also keep up.” Read Luke Owen’s full ★★★★ review here.
3-. John Wick: Chapter 2 (28 points)
We’ve got a joint third place now, with John Wick: Chapter 2 and James Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 both taking 28 points. The first John Wick was a surprise to many back in 2014, so much that interest in the sequel managed to get squeak it into our Most Anticipated Movies of 2017. It features more of the bonkers action we loved in the first one, turned up to a new level. More like this please, Hollywood.
“Basically, a certain plot point essentially propels the film into the complete nonstop action mode that fans of the ever-evolving franchise will come to expect, and my God does it absolutely deliver. The difference between both John Wick films is that one of them fizzles out by the final action sequence, while the other just ups the ante on stunts and carnage to maximum excitement. Once again, it also much more greatly utilizes aspects regarding the rules of assassin work, benefiting the violence. John Wick: Chapter 2 embraces the tropes, pacing, and style of 90s action film, winding up being a perfect example of what more action films should strive to achieve. Furthermore, as a sequel it improves and expands on the original in every conceivable way.” Read Robert Kojder’s full ★★★★★ review here.
3-. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (28 points)
I said that Wonder Woman was surprisingly low on this list, and one could argue that Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is much higher than anticipated. While it’s still an incredibly enjoyable ride, many felt that it didn’t stand up to the original. However, 2014’s Guardians of the Galaxy is so beloved within Flickering Myth it topped our Ranking of the MCU in 2014 and 2016. James Gunn returned with his cast of a-holes along with an on-form Kurt Russell for a rip-roaring adventure of laughs, action and heart. Some were disappointed, but Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 topped two of our writers lists, and was high enough in others to earn it a very respectable 28 points. Perhaps its placing here – considering it was second in our Most Anticipated Movies of 2017 – could spell trouble for it come the end of the year…
“If you don’t like [Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2] or at the very least don’t have fun with it, I don’t know what to tell you. The opening credits alone should have you smiling with joy, and that smile won’t leave your face until you’ve left the cinema (although the sadder moments may make you less smiley).” Read Luke Owen’s full ★★★★ review here.
2. Get Out (41 points)
With all the movies released in 2017, it does please this writer to see a horror film so high up in the list – even beating out two comic book properties. Not only that, but topping four of our writer’s lists, Get Out comfortably secured second place with thirteen points above the joint fourth. Comedian Jordan Peele creates an incredible world full of tense horror, pulse-racing inventiveness and some dazzling twists and turns along the way. Get Out highlights the very topical subject of race relations in such a creative way, and its reveal will stick with you days after you’ve left the theatre.
“Superbly acted with a deliciously creepy score from Michael Abels that ingeniously mixes up Swahili vocals (another ghostly warning echoing from the past) with Bernard Herrmann-esque suspense, the movie is a treat for the intellect, gut and funny bone: 12 Years a Slave meets Invasion of the Body Snatchers, yet infinitely less glib, more ghoulishly delightful and more endlessly surprising than that description implies.” Read Sean Wilson’s full ★★★★★ review here.
1. Logan (62 points)
Before it was released Deadpool star Ryan Reynolds felt that Logan should be in contention for Academy Awards, and many comic book fans felt the same after seeing Hugh Jackman’s swansong to the Wolverine franchise. Set in a distant future where Logan is one of the few mutants left alive, he goes on a roadtrip with a senile Charles Xavier and his newly-discovered daughter Laura while being chased down by bad dudes. There were some – including Flickering Myth Podcast’s Oli Davis – who felt its mid-act reveal was a detriment to its story, but with 62 points Logan easily cleared the top spot in our Top 10 Movies of 2017 (so far). It topped four of our writers lists in a landslide victory, 21 points ahead of second place.
“It’s a grounded, appropriately violent, substantial, and emotional work of art containing highly impressive acting across the board. Logan is the kind of movie that shuts up elitists who can’t fathom a comic book movie transcending popcorn entertainment, or offering up personal connections to superbly crafted characters. Logan is exceptional filmmaking and the perfect sendoff for Hugh Jackman’s 17-year tenure as Wolverine.” Read Robert Kojder’s full ★★★★★ review here.
