2014 was a really good year for movies. And by “really good” I mean that there were more than two that were good enough for me to want on Blu-ray so I could watch them more than once.
Here now, in no particular order, are the best movies of 2014.
Edge Of Tomorrow
Having read the original novel, I was worried about this adaptation of Hiroshi Sakurazaka’s All You Need Is Kill, especially since the hero in the book is a kid with no war experience, and Tomorrow star Tom Cruise is no kid. But Tomorrow managed to the impossible: it felt like an original movie that kept the spirit of the novel, and it was a kick butt sci-fi war movie with some genuinely funny moments.
SCORE:
Movie: 8.5/10 (Read my full review here)
Blu-ray, DVD: 8.5/10 (Full review here)
Captain America: The Winter Soldier
It’s not often that a sequel is so good that matches the original, and even less often that the sequel is so good that it outdoes the original. But this goes even further by being so good that it made me appreciate the first one, Captain America: The First Avenger, even more than when I first saw it. Heck, just the opening scene on the boat did that, and the movie managed to keep up that impressive pace.
The Hobbit: The Battle Of The Five Armies
It’s my least favorite of The Hobbit films, and least favorite of the six Tolkien movies. But while it’s a bit anticlimactic, it’s still exciting, especially the big battles scenes and the parts where Smaug trashes Laketown like he’s Keith Moon trashing a hotel room. It also serves as a good closer to The Hobbit trilogy, while setting up the three Lord Of The Rings movies nicely.
SCORE:
Movie: 7.5/10 (Full review here)
Sin City: A Dame To Kill For
While this second Sin City flick wasn’t as visually original as the first one, it’s just as exhilarating and fun. And in some senses more so, as the title part is one of the coolest Sin City stories Frank Miller ever wrote, and it makes for one of the best parts of this film series as well.
SCORE:
Blu-ray/DVD: 8.0/10 (Full review here)
Godzilla
Though I’ve loved Godzilla’s movies since I was a kid, not all of them are great. Or even good. But this new one is easily my favorite since 1971’s Godzilla Vs. Hedorah (a.k.a. Godzilla Vs. The Smog Monster). Not only does it treat the big guy with respect, but it does the same for the audience, and all is all the better for it. Plus the battle at the end is just epic.
SCORE:
Movie: 9.0/10 (Full review here)
Blu-ray, DVD: 8.5/10 (Full review here)
So, what do you think were the best movies of 2014? Let me know in the comments below.
