Movies to Expect in the Next Three Months
A screenshot from the trailer for Incredibles 2 (Copyright Disney Pixar)
By Katherine Lentz, A&E Editor
2018 is a big year for movies, as evidenced by the record breaking ‘Black Panther,’ and the current #2 box-office hit, ‘A Wrinkle In Time.’ But the year isn’t over yet, so below are some of the other most highly anticipated films of the first half of the year.
‘Pacific Rim Uprising’
– March 23
The original Pacific Rim, directed by Guillermo del Toro, had a lot to offer Sci-Fi fans: giant fighting robots, malevolent over-sized sea-monsters, a healthy dose of comedy, and good old-fashioned heroics. With all those qualities, it might be difficult for Pacific Rim Uprising to surpass the original’s success, especially with the loss of Guillermo del Toro. But it’s not fair to write it off yet; the film will be featuring Star Wars’ John Boyega, and a return of Rinko Kikuchi as fan-favorite Mako Mori. A more diverse cast, combined with the action and originality of the first could have Pacific Rim Uprising surpassing the original.
‘Midnight Sun’
– March 23
If you’ve been to any movie in any theater, anywhere in the country, you’ve probably seen the advertisements for this romance film. Combining the tragedy of living with chronic illness, and the necessity for adventure that most young people carry with them, it follows the love story of a girl cursed with the inability to be exposed to sunlight.
‘Rampage’
– April 13
If you’ve ever played the video game, you might be confused as to how they could turn a giant gorilla and his fellow giant friends’ tendencies to destroy city infrastructure into a feature film. All joking aside, with Dwayne Johnson, Jeffrey Dean Morgan and other big names making up the cast, it’s clear that there’s something more than just senseless destruction happening on screen. That something else appears to be the close connection Johnson’s character has with the gorilla-turned-monster, and the afflicted animals in general.
‘Avengers: Infinity War’
– April 27
The much anticipated third Avengers movie follows two years after the events of Captain America: Civil War, and two years after kingpins of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Captain America and Iron Man, have met face-to-face. It also might mark their end. Tony Stark, fearing an unstoppable alien invasion since the events of the first Avengers film in 2012, and discussing the potential necessity for space travel since Iron Man 2 in 2010, will be facing one of his greatest fears; an alien invasion that is, potentially, unstoppable. Unprepared and splintered around the globe, the Avengers, even with the help of the visiting Guardians, may find it difficult to beat Thanos and the power he wields with the infinity gauntlet.
‘Deadpool 2’
– May 18
The second installment in the Deadpool films will introduce the highly anticipated character, Cable, a frenenmy of Deadpool’s that, in the comics, was as much a source of conflict as comedy. The new film promises encounters with yakuza, ninjas and, with the character’s track record, ostensibly a number of other shenanigans that will have the audience equal parts incredulous and amused.
‘Solo: A Star Wars Story’
– May 25
The origins of a young Han Solo are likely to get even the most jaded Star Wars fans out of their homes. The film promises a slew of what are likely questionable escapades, and insight into the legendary friendship between Han Solo and Chewbacca. The film also suggests a meeting between Lando Calrissian and the notorious duo. This film, like Rogue One, provides further context for both the original films, the prequels, and the sequels.
‘Ocean’s 8’
– June 8
Part of the Ocean’s Eleven series, Ocean’s 8 focuses on Debbie Ocean and her crew of seven female thieves, all of whom are working together to pull of a heist at the Met Gala. If the film is anything like it’s predecessors, then it will include hijinks, comedy, perhaps a bit of romance, and a lot of cool stunts. Highly anticipated, particularly in feminist circles, the hope is that the film maintains its action genre and refrains from gratuitous boob and butt shots.
‘Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom’
– June 22
If you were wondering how in the world they could manage to wrangle another plotline out of the Jurassic Park franchise, you’re not alone. You might be happy to hear, though, that at least this time the dysfunctional duo from the first movie, Claire and Owen, are not trying to cage dinosaurs in an amusement park, but instead, are trying to save the remaining dinosaurs from an insipient volcanic eruption. However, their simple mission is turned upside down when they discover a super-breed of giant dinosaurs and a conspiracy that could be the end of life as they knew it.
‘Incredibles 2’
– June 15
After the release of the first film and its smashing success in 2004, fans have pretty openly demanded a sequel, but it’s taken 14 years. Brad Bird is back to direct the film, hopefully with the same success as he had before. The film emphasizes the previously subtle girl-power messages of the first film by explicitly having Elastigirl save the day, while Mr. Incredible deals with his three troublesome super children, Flash, Violet and Jack-Jack, whose powers haven’t fully developed, but are quite clearly the most powerful of anyone in the family.
