Due to the coronavirus, I only saw 6 films in theaters this year. I decided to just list them as my 3 favorites and 3 least favorites. (I decided not to add the handful of films I watched on streaming to these lists, but I didn’t think any of them would’ve done much to fill out my lists.)
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Favorites:
3. Wonder Woman 1984– A solid concept that is torpedoed by poor execution and some nonsensical story beats. It’s only the likability of the main character that keeps you invested. A rushed and messy third act prevents the movie from redeeming its many missteps.
2. Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn– Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn, plus some colorful characters and brutal action sequences, make this a fun ride. But, an uninteresting plot and supporting characters that never get properly fleshed-out make it so that the film falls flat anytime Harley isn’t present.
1. Bad Boys for Life– Will Smith and Martin Lawrence are able to recapture the chemistry that worked so well in the beginning of this franchise. They bring their humorous banter, and some solid acting, while the film adds plenty of action. The plot just never quite clicks, and they seemed to be trying too hard to set up a Fast and the Furious-inspired franchise.
Least Favorites:
3. Tenet– Essentially a take on the James Bond formula, but without the inspired action sequences, memorable villains, charismatic lead or exotic locales. The time travel element takes a back seat for too long, and once we get it, it ultimately collapses under the weight of its overcomplicated mechanics.
2. The New Mutants– Mediocre characters, a predictable plot and a bad mashup of a superhero origin tale and a horror movie add up to a forgettable film. Thanks to tons of behind the scenes drama, we’ll never know if this ever had a chance of being any good.
1. Bill & Ted Face the Music– Bill & Ted’s latest adventure is still endearing, even if the jokes miss the mark most of the time. But, the half of the film where their daughters team up with historical figures is pretty lifeless. And the big payoff is a convoluted mess.