2017 - The Highlights (EHeroFlareNeos)

With 2018 upon us, we here at Trophy Unlocked would like to take a look back at the best and the most disappointing movies and video games of 2017. This year we got a lot of quality entertainment, perhaps more than last year, though that didn't stop a few duds from popping up. In no particular order, here are the highlights of the year, a subjective list of what to check out and what to avoid. As usual, however, we are limited by our own time and money, so if you don't see something you think should be on this list, that is likely a reason why.

Top Movies of 2017

Yu-Gi-Oh!: The Dark Side of Dimensions

Admittedly, this barely qualifies for the list considering it’s mainly a nostalgia movie. However, for a childhood Yu-Gi-Oh! fan, the latest film in the franchise, penned by Kazuki Takahashi himself, is an absolute ride from start to finish. The animation never falters and the increased focus on Seto Kaiba was actually a nice change of pace. The main villain, Aigami, might not have the same presence as other villains like Bakura or Marik, and the internal logic behind Dimension Dueling doesn’t make the most sense, but that did nothing to take away from my enjoyment of the story. Watching this movie is like hanging out with old friends, which can be a good feeling to have from time to time.

Your Name.

This movie is easily one of the more emotional ones of the year. The setup, though somewhat reminiscent of films like The Lake House and Freaky Friday, gives way to a compelling “Boy Meets Girl” story with equally compelling characters and an engaging plot with a few smart twists at just the right moments. Your Name. also has some of the best traditional animation out there and a soundtrack that kicks in at the most impactful moments. If you only see one anime film from this year, this is the one to see.

Wonder Woman

After a string of notoriously awful movies, the DCEU managed to finally get one good entry in the form of Wonder Woman. The film, directed by Patty Jenkins, features great acting, particularly by Gal Gadot and Chris Pine, good action and a more compelling plot than its predecessors. If you only ever see one DCEU film, make it this one.

Logan

Logan stood out for a number of reasons. It takes Wolverine and places him within a slightly futuristic noir framework, a relatively rare R-rating (meaning children shouldn’t watch) allows the story to use the character without pulling any punches and the movie is able to use a very dark take on a popular character without feeling overly bleak or joyless. The characters are very well-written, backed by very powerful acting, particularly from Hugh Jackman and Dafne Keen, and the plot moves along at a balanced and engaging pace. If you decide to view on it on home video, make sure to also view Logan Noir, a black-and-white version which contributes very well to the noir atmosphere (though it is otherwise unchanged).

Wonderstruck

Wonderstruck is one of the more interesting films to come out this year. Thanks in part to a screenplay by Brian Selznick, the author of the original novel, the movie is a mostly faithful adaptation that makes some respectable changes that would allow the story to work better on film. What makes it really stand out, however, is that it focuses on two protagonists separated by time whose stories eventually intersect. One is shown in the style of a black-and-white silent movie while the other is more or less in the style of a 1970s movie. Although the movie spends a little too long establishing 1970s New York at one point, the story and characters are very compelling and the way the stories intersect is quite a surprise. A good film to check out for those who are looking for something a little different with a unique presentation or fans of Brian Selznick’s work.

Thor: Ragnarok

After two previous attempts, the MCU finally does a Thor movie right. Thor: Ragnarok is in many ways the opposite of the first two, as it contains more humor and makes use of a generally brighter color palette and more variety in the setting than just Asgard and Earth (aka Midgard). Along with Chris Hemsworth’s great performance as Thor, we also get more character development for Bruce Banner/Hulk and an interesting villain, Hela. As one of the better films in Phase 3 of the MCU, Thor: Ragnarok is one entry not to miss.

Top Video Games of 2017

Resident Evil 7: Biohazard

Although I hadn’t really played any of the Resident Evil games, I was aware that the series had been in decline with Resident Evil 5 and 6, which took the action elements of Resident Evil 4 a bit too far. Cue Resident Evil 7: Biohazard, which returns to the series’ survival horror roots in a big way, placing the action in first-person and telling a very personal story in a smaller, more intimate environment. The new story and gameplay direction presented by Resident Evil 7 creates a persistent and somewhat more realistically frightening atmosphere that is able to pull the player in and not let go. While it remains to be seen how the franchise will continue form here, this is a great foundation to build upon and is perfect for both fans and newcomers.

Persona 5

As someone who had absolutely next to no knowledge of Persona, let alone Shin Megami Tensei, I had an absolute blast playing Persona 5. While the story may feel uneven at times, the gameplay is a huge step forward for turn-based RPGs, especially in terms of speed, and the world is highly immersive thanks to surprisingly interesting social simulation elements. Combine that with a unique sense of style, an acid-jazz soundtrack that won’t quit and some memorable characters and you have a game that rightfully earns a spot on this list.

Cuphead

Cuphead stands out from the competition due to its unique visual style. A labor of love by Studio MDHR, all of Cuphead’s assets and every single frame was hand-drawn, hand-painted and animated using the same techniques as a 1930s Fleischer cartoon. Additionally, the game has a 1930s Jazz soundtrack recorded in a similar fashion. The sheer amount of dedication to developing Cuphead paid off, as the stunning visuals are married with a challenging run and gun gameplay style that makes taking down each boss feel incredibly satisfying. Easily a game that lives up to the hype and one that shouldn’t be missed.

South Park: The Fractured but Whole

South Park Digital Studios’ follow-up to The Stick of Truth is a remarkable improvement over its predecessor. On the story side, in spite of feeling a bit muddy as it goes on, the jokes just keep coming one after another and pretty much all manage to hit their mark. The South Park style of humor and political commentary is ever-present and feels right at home with its setting. The idea of using the kids’ superhero personas is taken full advantage of in the gameplay, which features an evolution of the combat system where instead of a traditional turn-based system, it now involves one where field position and the range of each ability actually matters. It may be kind of easy overall and the idea of a “perfect team” is a very real thing, but the game is still consistently fun all the way through.

Assassin’s Creed: Origins

Ubisoft’s latest entry in the Assassin’s Creed franchise has proven that taking a year off between installments was worth it. The more open ancient Egypt setting feels fresh and the gameplay, though in some ways familiar, feels different and unlike any other game in the franchise. The story feels uneven at times, but goes very well with the setting and is able to immerse the player in a rather fascinating time in history, complete with opportunities to learn more about ancient Egyptian culture. If taking time off allows the series to gain a breath of fresh air, then I wouldn’t mind if two-year gaps between installments become the norm.

Super Mario Odyssey

When I bought a Nintendo Switch for some future releases, I also got a copy of Super Mario Odyssey to have something to play on it in the meantime. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but it turned out to be really fun. The plot is very simple, Mario has to stop Bowser from marrying Peach, but the gameplay strikes the right balance of simple and difficult. There’s always something new for the player right to the end and the boss battles take full advantage of the different mechanics at play. From my own limited experience, Super Mario Odyssey felt like a modern and natural extension of Super Mario 64, which seems like a pretty good foundation. If you need something to go with your Switch, this is a good game to start with.

Top Disappointments of 2017

Sharknado 5: Global Swarming

The latest installment in the Sharknado franchise is an absolutely unenjoyable mess. It manages to be almost soullessly bad as the nonsensical plotline, lower-tier celebrity cameos and overabundance of increasingly terrible special effects make it perfectly clear that Sharknado has outstayed its welcome. When a Sharknado movie of all things is capable of jumping the shark, you know something’s truly wrong.

Ghost in the Shell (2017)

While Ghost in the Shell (1995) is fondly remembered as an artistic masterpiece which helped spawn a well-loved and influential franchise, the same will likely never be said of the recent live-action remake. Pre-release nontroversy aside, Ghost in the Shell (2017) falls very short of its main influence by managing to near-faithfully execute the visual identity of the franchise, but without the same heart that would allow it to feel like Ghost in the Shell. On top of this, it decides to try and recreate memorable scenes from the original animated film, but without any of the original motivation that made those scenes so iconic. If you have interest in Ghost in the Shell (2017), you’re better off watching the 1995 original and the subsequent Stand Alone Complex anime.

Despicable Me 3

Illumination’s latest entry in the Despicable Me franchise was definitely a disappointment. While it may be an improvement over Minions, itself a very low bar, the story features an overstuffed plot backed by a premise normally reserved for the creatively bankrupt. Not even Trey Parker’s legitimately enjoyable performance as Balthazar Bratt is enough to redeem the overall quality of the movie. Perhaps it’s time for Illumination to reconsider the direction of the franchise, considering they still haven’t been able to recapture the spark that made the original Despicable Me work so well.

Justice League

While Wonder Woman gave the DCEU its first real winner, the follow-up in Justice League nearly erased a lot of the goodwill the franchise had. There were plenty of issues, from a cast assembled too early to an uninteresting villain and slow-moving plotline that had me looking at my watch a few times too many. It’s obvious Warner Bros. needed the team-up to happen before the upcoming Avengers: Infinity War, but this might have turned out better if audiences actually had time to get used to each member of the team before putting them together. Justice League may be one of the better DCEU movies, but when compared to Batman v Superman and Suicide Squad, is that really saying much?

2017 - The Highlights (lionsroar)

Films watched for the first time and reviewed in 2017

Note: Since Trophy Unlocked has to pay for most of the movies we see in the theaters and for most of the films we watch at home, we don’t have the scope of a newspaper reviewer. We don’t see everything that’s out, so our ratings of films are based on what we decide to spend our money on.

Top 5 Best Films of the year:

In No Particular Order:

Wonder Woman

Finally the DCEU gets one right. Wonder Woman establishes Gal Gadot as the best thing in this comic book-based universe. Gadot is not only beautiful but also atheletic, strong and with a real screen presence. It's too bad that she alone is not enough to save this franchise which seems almost doomed from the start.

Hidden Figures

Well-done biographical film that rather than one person concentrates on the fate of three brilliant African-American women at NASA -- Katherine Johnson (Taraji P. Henson), Dorothy Vaughan (Octavia Spencer) and Mary Jackson (Janelle Monáe) -- who worked in virtual obscurity during the Mercury missions which launched the US manned space program.

Logan

Not all comic-book films are made solely for the fan base. In what maybe a victory lap for his portrayal as Wolverine, Hugh Jackman co-stars with Patrick Stewart as  Charles Xavier / Professor X: in a story that takes place in the future. Now an older man, Wolverine must cope with old age while fighting to save a young girl Laura (Dafne Keen) from the evil Transigen corporation that made her. Also available as Logan - Noir, the same film but in black and white. This presentation tones down the blood, but also makes this feel what is, the kind of movie that they don't make anymore.

Loving Vincent

After his suicide, the postmaster of Saint-Rémy, Joseph Roulin (Chris Dowd), discovers a letter that the late artist had sent to his brother and sends his son, Armand Roulin (Douglas Booth), to find Theo, not realizing the brother is also dead. Armand develops a fascination with the late artist and spends an extended time trying to find out the truth about Van Gogh's death.  A fascinating story told exclusively through the use of paintings in the artist's style.

Wonderstruck

The stories of two deaf young people separated by 50 years are interwoven in this film based on the novel of the same name by Brian Selznick. Each must go on their own journey of discovery, which takes both to New York City and eventually to each other. Heartwarming story with good acting make this one to watch.

Best Classic Movie Reviewed:

Key Largo (1948)

It's very hard to go wrong with Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, Edward G. Robinson,  Lionel Barrymore, and Claire Trevor. Deported gangster tries to make a comeback during a hurricane that hits the Florida Keys. Post-war gangster film with a solid cast directed by John Huston. Honarable mentions: King Kong (1933) and The Lady Vanishes (1938).

Disappointments of the Year:

In No Particular Order:

Justice League

Is it really a disappointment when you sort of expect it to not be very good? I go hoping for better, but come out resigned to know that it is. Having killed his greatest ally, Batman has to put together a team of others with superpowers, Aquaman, The Flash, Cyborg and Wonder Woman to fight an exterrestrial with an Oedipal complex who is out to cleanse the Earth. But things are going well for the team until they manage to resurrect the fallen Superman.

Spider-Man Homecoming

Sony doesn't seem to know what to do with Spider-Man other than reboot the franchise and each time with diminishing returns. On its third try, Spider-Man is really Spider-Young Adult, which is the literary genre the film mimics when telling the story. Does the super-hero film have to be so high school? While I like the actor playing the title role, I can't wait for him and the series to grow up.

Despicable Me 3

Third time is not the charm with Despicable Me. Seems that they've gone to the well one time too many and now its really running dry. Too many storylines for this animated film to juggle. And, frankly, the Minions are a little over-exposed and getting a little old, sort of like bananas that have  been out too long.

Kingsman: The Golden Circle

I remember really looking forward to the new Kingsman film. The original seemed to be so interesting and fun. The premise of a secret British secret service was too quickly disposed of in my opinion. Now strapped to an American version, which sadly is so stereotypical as to be embarrassing. Can Americans ever be depicted not wearing cowboy hats as our native dress? The film tries too hard for its own good.

Arrival

Started off the year watching one of last year's Best Picture nominees. Restrained science fiction, read that low on its reliance on special effects, the film features some pretty good acting from its leads. Still, the film goes one step too far and loses out when it makes time seem too circular. 

Worst Classic Film Reviewed this Year:

Detour (1945)

Don't believe the hype that this is one of the great film noirs. Low-budget feature includes the worst of the genre with a plot based almost solely on the protagonist making the worst decision possible in any situation and an over-reliance on coincidence. To top it off, the acting is wooden.

Despicable Me 3

Of the many films Illumination has animated over the years, their most well-known are related to the Despicable Me franchise. So far, this series has spawned three movies and a spin-off, though nothing that could quite capture the magic of the original Despicable Me film. The most recent entry, Despicable Me 3, prominently advertised Trey Parker’s involvement in early trailers. While the most recent outing is more ambitious in its plot, it too ultimately falls short of the original.

Following the events of Despicable Me 2, Gru (Steve Carell) is working with Lucy Wilde (Kristen Wiig) from the Anti-Villain League (AVL) to prevent a supervillain named Balthazar Bratt (Trey Parker) from stealing the world’s largest diamond from a cargo ship. Although Gru prevents Bratt from stealing the diamond, he is unable to capture Bratt himself. As he has continually been unable to capture Bratt, the AVL fires Gru and Lucy, leaving them jobless until they can find something else to do. Because Gru refuses to return to villainy, all but two of his Minions (Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud) leave him. In this time of need, Gru learns of the existence of his long-lost brother Dru (Steve Carell), who leads a wealthy lifestyle in the country of Freedonia. Meanwhile, Lucy is trying to adapt to her role as mother for Gru’s adopted daughters Margo (Miranda Cosgrove), Edith (Dana Gaier) and Agnes (Nev Scharrel).

Gru (Steve Carell) learns of his brother Dru (Steve Carell) and
decides to resume his previous life of villainy.

Although the story presents some interesting ideas, the presence of six plots, one main plot and five sub-plots, leads to some issues. Despite Illumination’s best efforts to balance all of them within 90 minutes, they all end up diluting each other as they fight for precious space. For instance, two of the sub-plots, which are related to Lucy’s plot of becoming a mother, resolve themselves very quickly and end with the introduction of what they may hope is another marketable character. Additionally, although the Minions are handled a bit better here than they were in their own movie, their plot escalates rather quickly each time they’re onscreen until they inevitably become relevant to the main plot again. The end result might have been stronger if they had removed at least one sub-plot to better develop the others. Either way, it may be worth noting that Edith has had the least character development of the three girls after three movies.

The most prominent plots involve two original characters, Balthazar Bratt and Dru. Dru’s existence is a bit surprising, partially since it comes from a pool of stories usually reserved for when you’re out of ideas. For the most part, he and Gru have a chemistry (helped by Steve Carell voicing both characters) and have a number of differences which help them feel different from one another. When all is said and done, however, it seems that Illumination plans to have Dru appear in a potential Despicable Me 4, which may feel like a blessing or a curse depending on how the viewer reacts to Dru’s personality. Still, Steve Carell is able to voice the brothers differently enough in tone and mannerisms that they are distinct from each other in conversation.

As for supervillain Balthazar Bratt, he is by far the most entertaining new addition. He has a very interesting backstory as a child star who suffered endless mockery in puberty, angering him to the point where he actually believed he was the supervillain he played on TV. His obsession with the 1980s ties into this, being when he was at his peak, and gives him an interesting array of gadgets, including a smoke bomb triggered by a self-solving Rubik’s Cube, and his habit of singing and dancing popular songs from the decade. Trey Parker is a perfect match for the character, as his voice acting makes him a very likable villain. However, viewers familiar with his previous work may recognize his distinct vocal range, which may make one very small twist in the middle of the movie less effective. I’ll also admit that my enjoyment of Trey Parker’s character may be informed at least somewhat from being a fan of his more adult-oriented collaborations with Matt Stone, including South Park, Team America: World Police and The Book of Mormon.

Trey Parker is entertaining as supervillain Balthazar Bratt.

As with other movies from Illumination, the animation is rather impressive, especially with their ability to make certain shots feel like they’re in 3D even though it’s a 2D print. However, while downplayed from previous installments, Despicable Me 3 still unnecessarily indulges in toilet humor every once in a while. Additionally, as more of an observation, it continues the trend of using Pharrell Williams for pop songs.

Despicable Me 3 is an immediate improvement over Minions, but still cannot completely recapture the magic of the original Despicable Me. Both the stellar animation and Trey Parker’s enjoyable take on a creative villain are not enough to balance out the film’s overabundance of diluted plots. While the ending somewhat overtly sets up a sequel, one can only wonder what direction a Despicable Me 4 could possibly go in. If you’re a fan of the Despicable Me series and can’t get enough of it, this is the movie for you. Alternatively, if you’re a fan of Trey Parker, you’re in for a great performance.