2012 was a great year for movies. Everybody, from Wes Anderson to Ben Affleck to Steven Spielberg, were in top form. Frankly, there’s no real science behind why this year was particularly good for movies, but a recurring element was taking risks. More often than not, it worked out beautifully, bringing unique ideas and wonderfully different approaches to many of this years best movies.
And now, the final installment of the 25 Top 2012 movies:
5. “Cloud Atlas”: The moment “Cloud Atlas” ended, I couldn’t stop thinking about it’s endless amount of imagery and powerful ideas. It’s the kind of movie that is so rare to find, having both powerful ideas and spellbinding imagery in spades. Actors like Tom Hanks and Jim Broadbent transform themselves into roles like nothing they’ve played before (I especially love Tom Hanks as a swearing, short-tempered British author). A modern day “2001: A Space Odyssey”, this captivating drama is like nothing you’ve ever seen before.
4. “Wreck-It Ralph: Disney creates their best animated film in ages in this wonderful tale of a video game bad guy who just wants to be liked. With a script that’s packed with wonderful in-gags and an unpredictable plot, this stupendous tale really excels in it’s more emotional moments. These brilliantly crafted characters face emotional stakes that truly push the movie to a new level of excellence. Add in some of the best animation put onto the silver screen and a barrage of wonderful comical moments, and it’s not hard to see why “Wreck-It Ralph” winds up as a modern day masterpiece.
3. “Argo”: Ben Affleck blows past any and all expectations with this perfect caper dealing with Iran Hostage Crisis. The writing for this movie is something to behold, creating action that constantly has the audience at the edge of their seats The acting in the film is marvelous (especially John Goodman, delivering hilarious lines perfectly) and I was particularly impressed by Bryan Cranston, who has one of the best character arcs in the film. To boot, the characters are all given well developed arcs and personalities that make the more tense moments all the more suspenseful. Easily one of the year’s best, “Argo” will leave you breathless at every twist and turn.
2. “The Avengers”: The new pinnacle of not just summer blockbusters, but great filmmaking, this is the movie that united people all across the globe, all in their love of seeing the Hulk smash Loki to bits. Director Joss Whedon is perfect for this movie, bringing humor and action to new, deliriously brilliant heights and giving all members of this team moments to shine. Contrary to the monotonous and repetitive summer blockbusters seen this day (*Cough* “Battleship” *Cough*), this one is full of great action sequences that are staged perfectly and allow us to bask in the beauty of all these superhero titans. “The Avengers” succeeds on every level imaginable, and even after all the hype has worn away, will still unfailingly delight any moviegoer looking for quality cinema.
1. “Zero Dark Thirty”: Kathryn Bigelow creates a masterpiece that brings to life the feeling of terror and dread experience at the dawn of 21st century. As if that isn’t enough, she also delivers the story of a CIA agent, played perfectly by Jessica Chastain, who is ruthless in her hunt for Osama Bin Laden in a way that is a wonder to behold. The whole movie is one brilliant moment after another, filled with stupendous characters and awe-inspiring sequences that will make your stomach churn in their blunt honesty. That may be the best part of the whole movie, the way Kathryn Bigelow delivers a movie that shows the stark honesty and hard work that went into finding this terrorist, without allowing the audience to look away from the inspiring success and the devastating failures. We’re all the better for it, thanks to this perfectly created movie.
