If there is anything
that should be said about 2018 when it comes to films, it was underwhelming,
but still oddly fascinating. 2018 wasn’t the strongest year for film as a lot
of disappointments appeared and there just seems to be a lot of films that just
didn’t quite pack the punch compared to previous years. Even with that in mind,
there was a lot to appreciate in terms of what 2018 had to offer for movies,
especially when it came to animation and indie films. 2018 had a decent amount of
films that were definitely worth looking back on fondly, starting with.
10.
First Man
Knowing Damien
Chazelle’s work with previous masterpieces with Whiplash and La La Land,
there was a lot of hype behind his next film First Man. The downside is while a solid movie, First Man does not come close to the
brilliance of his previous two works. Possibly due to limitations on story with
it being a biopic, Chazelle’s creativity isn’t as prevalent here as it was in
his previous works. However, it doesn’t say that it is a bad movie, in fact, it
is still rather refreshing to see Chazelle create something completely
different compared to his other movies. Not to mention, the film is still very
well crafted with a great Ryan Gosling performance, very subtle moments, a
great old classic filmmaking aesthetic and ending that is pretty breath taking
to say the least. It may not be as brilliance as his other works, but it still
has a lot of great craftsmanship.
9.
Ralph Breaks the Internet
While mixed by many
fans of the original film, Wreck-It
Ralph 2 does a great job of progressing from the first movie in some neat
ways. It may feel a little excessive at points and also has some contradictions
to the first film, but what really makes this movie special are its characters
and world building. Both have been expanded upon big time with more creative
worlds and a character element that adds to the ultimate theme of the movie
being about letting go, which is was told in a very smart way especially for a
kids movie. This sequel also retains the fun and excitement with a lot of neat
crossover moments and an outstanding musical number that parodies Disney so
well that it is hands down one of the best movie moments of 2018. Ralph Breaks the Internet is a very good
progression from a great first movie and is a good reassurance to Disney making
decent sequels.
8.
A Star Is Born
Without a doubt the
main Oscar contender here, A Star is Born
is a simple but super effective movie. For a directorial debut by Bradley
Cooper, the film is a very well made film with great cinematography, a decent
script and also some excellent sound design. What really carry through the
movie that makes it even better are the performances. Bradley Cooper, Sam
Elliot and especially Lady Gaga are all phenomenal in their roles being all so
incredibly believable in not just their characters but also the relationships
with one another. Also ends on a note that is so powerful, it’s the moment that
could give Lady Gaga an Oscar win, and as weird as that sounds, it is totally
justified given how good this film is.
7.
Hereditary
One of the darkest and
most disturbing films released in the entirety of 2018. Hereditary works in the same vein of other modern horror films as
it’s not so much about generic horror but true real life nightmares that come
to haunt people psychologically. This movie deals with the rough themes of loss
and regret in the harshest of ways, but given the film is meant to be a true
testament of horror, it is super effective with being a horror film. Add in
some excellent craft with cinematography, editing and production design that is
amazing especially for a debut film and also some all-around incredible
performances, Hereditary is a terrifying
horror experience that won’t be forgotten anytime soon.
6.
Annihilation
This is the type of
Science Fiction film that doesn’t come too often, but when it does, it becomes engraved
in our memories. Annihilation is an experience
to witness being both an intelligent science fiction film that doesn’t rely on
spectacle and instead relies on fascinating ideas about alternate dimensions
and fear. Also much like many of the moments in Hereditary, Annihilation contains
one of the most intense sequences of any movie in 2018 with the bear sequence
which is without a doubt a masterwork of craftsmanship in terms of great movie
moments. Annihilation may have been
over looked by some, but for those who did witness it; it was definitely an
experience worth remembering.
5.
Incredibles 2
It may not have the
sophistication of the first one nor does it excel at being a game changer in
animation, but it is Incredibles 2
and it is so much fun. Incredibles 2
while had some missed opportunities in the story department, still makes up for
it for having some already great characters return again and being just an all-around
well-crafted animated work from legend Brad Bird. It progresses things fairly
well from the first and also just manages to be exciting with great animation
and a fantastic score that the first Incredibles
was known for so well. Incredibles 2 isn’t
quite on the level of Incredible as the first, but its entertainment factor
alone makes it one of the most fun to be had in a movie all year.
4.
Won’t You Be My Neighbor
Fred Rogers was one of
the most charismatic and polite people you could ever think of. This
documentary showcases his love and kindness he offered to the world in a very
honest and respectful way to Mr. Rogers. It discussed his life and his passion
about helping children understanding the complexity of emotions in very genuine
ways, just as Fred Rogers himself was. A genuinely good person who cared about
everyone and didn’t discriminate, not to mention this film has one of the most
powerful and subtle ending ever to be seen in a documentary. It’s a beautiful
movie for this best of the year list.
3.
Isle of Dogs
Wes Anderson certainly
has become an auteur within the past decade, but seeing him come back to
animation after so long is glorious to witness. While Isle of Dogs isn’t as masterfully put together and as tightly
written as Fantastic Mr. Fox was, it
still showcases a lot of what Wes did for the animation industry in some
ingenious ways. Not only is it an animated movie that isn’t afraid to be more
adult and not kid oriented, but it does an incredible job justifying why stop
motion animation is such a beautifully unique style and should never be
ignored. Add in some good characters and an outstanding musically score, Isle of Dogs is a movie that reassures
you that great original films like this exist in the animation world.
2.
Sorry to Bother You
More movies need to be
like Sorry to Bother You. There has
not been a movie quite as weirdly unique as this one right here and its all the
more reason to praise it as such. Sorry
to Bother You is such a well-crafted work from Boots Reilly but is also
elevated by being unlike anything else out right now. It’s so visually
refreshing and stylized and has one of the most off guard yet actually fitting
and distinctive plot twists to ever be seen in recent memory. The movie is
funny, creative and just a breath of fresh air to see, and definitely will be
remember as one of the finest movies of 2018.
1.
Spider-Man Into the Spider-Verse
This is the kind of
movie that everyone needs to look out for every year, one that not only excels
at what it does so incredibly well but is a game changer in film in general. Spider-Man Into the Spider-Verse is a
love letter not just Spider-Man but to almost anything worthwhile when it comes
to the medium of film. It is a love letter to comic books, diversity,
creativity and most importantly, animation. This movie is cold hard proof that
animation is a medium that deserves to be respected and can be utilize to make
something that has all the emotions and character that not even half of most
live action films can do. In a world where Disney Remakes and movies like Venom are perceived as more adult and
mature because of them being live action despite not being that at all, here’s
a movie that truly is mature in its story and themes and should be noted as
that despite being animated. Into The
Spider-Verse is funny, heartfelt, imaginative and just about everything
people should want in a movie in general. If you haven’t witness the mastery of
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse,
you are missing out on something special. It is a film that you should not have
a problem with, especially because “it’s a cartoon”.
Honorable Mentions: Tully, Avengers Infinity War, Upgrade,
Searching, If Beale Street Could Talk, and Mandy
