After nearly three years of the global COVID-19 pandemic, of which we have yet to see the other side, film studios have felt more comfortable releasing their films back into theaters, some also shrinking the timeframe between theatrical and streaming. Although we’ve gotten more comfortable with going back to the theater ourselves this year, we’ve still been selective in the interest of safety and picked up some of the slack through streaming. As with previous years, this list is based entirely on what we were able to watch or play for ourselves.
Top Movies of 2022
Coming off the success of the first Sonic the Hedgehog film, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 successfully continues its momentum. Its humorous and well-written story keeps Sonic fans and general audiences alike fully engaged while the animation and acting, including a restrained Jim Carrey, feel like an upgrade. This sequel also brings increased confidence from the filmmakers in including more elements directly based on the games, including plot-relevant lore and smaller easter eggs, all while keeping it accessible in a good way. With the mid-credits scene teasing what’s to come in Sonic the Hedgehog 3, one can only hope that this series can continue setting the standard for what a good video game adaptation can look like.
Where Disney and Pixar have started stagnating in advancing the animation medium, their competition has picked up the slack. DreamWorks’ The Bad Guys, based on an Australian children’s book series, not only has a strong story with a lot of heart, but also a very unique art style that allows for very dynamic and energetic animation. It’s also hard not to draw parallels with Lupin III, which in this case is a compliment. Even if you’ve never read the books, this is a must-watch for animation fans.
Even in a year with not that many notable releases, some otherwise great movies can still unfortunately fall through the cracks. Case in point, Bullet Train, an overlooked film adaptation of a Japanese novel with a lot to love. Diverse and memorable characters, creative action, clever writing and a healthy dose of dark humor all make Bullet Train a very fun time and a ride we’d love to take again.
Everything Everywhere All at Once
Of the few notable releases from this year, Everything Everywhere All at Once deserves its praise. The film touches on complex family issues and does a great job at exploring the implications of the multiverse (especially when compared with Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness) while including a good amount of well-timed humor without undercutting the otherwise serious tone. On top of that, the visual effects are very impressive, even more so with the knowledge that the VFX artists had little prior experience. Definitely worth the watch, though keep in mind that due to the “R” rating, certain scenes are not appropriate for children.
Top Game of 2022
Kirby and the Forgotten Land
Due to various circumstances, I only really played one full game this year, but fortunately that game was of very high quality. Though I don’t have much experience with the Kirby franchise, Mouthful Mode is a fun extension of the series’ traditional mechanics and, much like Super Mario Odyssey, the gameplay strikes a near-perfect balance of simple and difficult, both in the combat and puzzles. Unlocking upgraded Forms feels very satisfying and the environment does a great job at nonverbally communicating different concepts to the player. Similarly, the story is well-written and easy to follow, also incorporating a surprise horror element towards the end. A great addition to any Switch library.
Top Disappointments of 2022
In spite of the premise serving as a creative way of continuing the Toy Story franchise, Lightyear really falls flat on its face. It fails as a vehicle for selling the audience on a Buzz Lightyear toy and even more so as a movie that Andy would have watched as a child. On top of that, the movie’s main twist ruins the mystique behind the main villain, Zurg. You’re better off trying to watch Buzz Lightyear of Star Command instead.
Ever since the ending of Phase 3, the Marvel Cinematic Universe seems to have stagnated, continuing on aimlessly with no real end goal in sight. No film so far has encapsulated this more than Thor: Love and Thunder, a sequel that tries and fails at recapturing the fun, if flawed, magic of Thor: Ragnarok. Any potential for Thor joining the Guardians of the Galaxy is swiftly squandered within the first act, moments that should be more serious are instead a farce and some jokes rely on stale and outdated internet memes. That’s not to mention the overexaggerated relationship themes, obnoxious abundance of Guns N’ Roses references and amazingly bad CGI in certain sequences. If you’re looking for fun in Phase 4, you won’t find it here. The worst part, however, is that roughly the first thirty minutes are unfortunately necessary for The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.
It’s no secret that Disney’s live-action remakes pale in comparison to their original animated counterparts, but Pinocchio may be one of the worst yet. Questionable plot changes, subpar CGI and inconsistent performances all make for a miserable viewing experience that will do nothing but waste your time. On top of it, the new renditions of songs don’t have nearly the same charm and Pleasure Island’s themes of vice are muddied in translation. Just watch the original instead.
The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe
The last time I played The Stanley Parable, I
considered it one of the best walking simulators on the market for making a
point while also having tight gameplay. Unfortunately, the updated Unity port, Ultra
Deluxe, falls short of the highs of the original. Though it looks much
nicer than the original release, the amount of new content doesn’t really justify
the higher price tag, not to mention it feels inconsistent, both in story and
presentation. If you’ve never played The Stanley Parable, wait for a
sale or buy the original.
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