2003 Review
Introduction:
2003 has been a year full of things. Little things, big things, fun things, sad things, and dumb things. Looking back, it's almost hard to believe how the year began and how it ended. How everything fell together and mixed into the melting pot that it was. It was hard to do, but I've finally decided upon my favorites of the year, and so without further adieu... here they are!
Note: They go in this order -- least favorite to favorite.
I. Best Manga:
Shaman King -- This series falls dead last almost entirely because we only got one volume this year! Admittedly, a lot of the mangas in my list this year are newer ones, but that's because nearly all of them are ones which I've held a certain degree of anticipation for. Shaman King is a very delightful supernatural action manga which has hints of Naruto, Dragon Ball Z, and even Pokemon. Though the overall idea behind it is much fresher and more unique than the aforementioned franchises. It centers around a young boy training to become a Shaman, and as such he must capture and train ghosts (a la Pokemon) and allows them to possess his body and fight (in battles more reminiscent of Naruto or Dragon Ball). A very nice little series.
Berserk -- A fantasy epic of unrivaled gore and malice. This is a dark tale of revenge that is as moving as it is revolting. You can't help but feel for our hero, but at the same time it seems almost wrong to call such an angry man a hero. The leads hate for a sinister group known as the Godhand goes unexplained where the manga is now, but those who have seen the anime can only shutter as they contemplate his disturbing motivations, and at last anticipate discovering if vengeance shall be his or not (the anime has not yet been finished, and it is unknown if it ever will be).
Kare Kano -- Teens are popular subjects for fiction. Why? Because they're dumb and they'll spend money on most anything. Okay, so the corporate way of seeing it is mean, but seriously, this is a wonderful series. It holds both beautiful artwork and endearing characters. Like Berserk, this manga goes on beyond the material presented in the anime, like many mangas do, and so fans of the series likely look forward to a much less confusing ending. We hope.
Rurouni Kenshin -- This series has recently found a much broader audience thanks to Cartoon Network, and so many "hardcore" anime fans thus shun it. Make no mistake though, this is one of the greatest mangas of our time. Style in the art, intriguing characters, sinister villains, powerful emotional realizations, and an epic story all come together into one of the best products we will see in some time. This series follows Himura Kenshin, also known as Hitokiri Battousai, a notorious assassin who has vowed to never kill again. He finds himself at the center of Japan as it changes, and through his experiences he faces and affects those changes as best he can. Buy this, period.
Battle Royale -- Another very dark tale, this is the story of The Program and it's victims. Selected at random, high school students must murder each other in a future envisioned by creators Koushun Takami and Masayuki Taguchi. It follows the various students as they go through the horror and drama in these events. Excellent character development and vivid artwork bring this graphic and almost sick storyline richly to life. Although it isn't for the faint of heart, those who are a bit bold should read this series. I cannot recommend it enough.
II. Best Games:
Kya The Dark Lineage -- This game blends well the genres of adventure, platforming, and role playing. A rich storyline follows a young girl from our world as she is taken to an alternate reality, a reality where a kind race of forest creatures finds themselves hunted by her father, who has become possessed with madness and dark powers, leading an army against those who oppose him. The heroine must come to terms with her family and past, find her brother, and find a way home. A great game akin to Zelda in game play, easily a gem from the year.
Final Fantasy X-2 -- It had never been done. Many said it was never going to happen. It has now been done, it has happened. A direct sequel to a Final Fantasy. Arriving with mixed player acclaim, and an audience who refuse to play it, this game has had more of a struggle than any previous game in the series. Yet, despite the cynics and those who would claim it nothing more than a cheap excuse to wring more money from us, underneath the obviously differant surface lies an incredible game. Fun battles, enjoyable characters, and an interesting storyline all come together into a package worthy of Square's name.
The Legend of Zelda The Wind Waker -- Another game originally taken uneasily by the fans. Why? Graphics. The graphics made gamers nervous, thinking this would be dumbed down and made for children. The reality? Not only was it the most complex game in the series for its storyline, but the sheer amount of fun and entertainment were overwhelming. The different directions the game took all fit together perfectly and combined to make one of the most memorable gaming experiences in recent years.
Xenosaga Episode 1 -- This game was easily the one I anticipated most all year. Upon getting my copy, I found myself greeted by exactly what I was expecting. A tale that is both dark and uplifting, complex and profound, even if it isn't the whole story. The characters are memorable, the storyline was excellent (although pacing was a little slow at some points), and the game followed an excellent trend where voice acting wasn't taken as a joke. If you enjoy rpgs, this game should not be avoided, as it is one of the greatest in history, and a fine beginning to (what I'm told will be) a six game epic.
Dark Cloud 2 -- Far and away the most under looked game of the year. Excellent graphics, excellent storyline, excellent characters, excellent game play, and more variety than has been seen in a game for a very long time. I won't spoil much of what happens, but I will say you find yourself wandering a vast and lush forest labyrinth, facing demons, traveling through time in a train, piloting a giant robot, and taking pictures of your adventure all the way. Gameplay combines many of the elements of Kingdom Hearts, The Legend of Zelda, and Sim City as you build cities while trying to repair history. The original was very similar in concept, but the execution and mastery of the design are beyond what you can imagine. Everything was flawless, and so this is my choice for Game of the Year.
III. Anime:
Samurai Deeper Kyo -- A new samurai epic following historical facts with strange fantasy plots, this is a unique series in many ways, but also a lot of the same old thing one has come to expect from anime. Gorgeous women who sometimes use their endowment to their advantage, a perverted hero or two, and some excellent fight scenes. Though a notch cliché, the series executes all the right elements with all the proper taste.
Wolfs Rain -- I get the impression that this would be much, much higher on this list if I had gotten to see more, but at the moment it is here (since the U.S. release is in 2004, it gets its better chance to climb the ranks this time next year). A post-apocalyptic epic with everything from super wolves to a barren wasteland to a giant talking flower that eats moonlight(I'm not kidding). Its entertaining, and the soundtrack by Yoko Kano (as always) rules.
Full Metal Panic -- What is it about giant robots and girls with blue hair? I mean, come on! Everything from Gundam to Evangelion has done it! I'll tell you what it is, they're sexy. Really, blue hair makes giant robots sexier. Why am I ranting about blue hair instead of the show though? It's because the show speaks for itself with it's excellent everything, from animation to story. Buy it and enjoy, okay? Even if you don't like giant robot shows, neither do I, and I still can't get enough of this series. Or girls with blue hair standing next to suitably-sized giant mechanical soldiers.
Last Exile -- Wow. This animation is gorgeous. Wow. These characters are memorable. Wow. GOD this animation is amazing. Wow, wow, wow. This series is awesome. High flying adventure amongst the clouds set during an incredible war, with fully developed culture and intense storylines. The show is only just getting started, but I get the feeling it's going to be amazing.
Great Teacher Onizuka -- The show is old and the animation looks a bit dated, but at the same time this is a series which goes on strong writing alone. Very strong writing, and I have to say it works. My favorite anime I've discovered all year, this show is incredible. All the characters have three dimensions and considerable depth. Some are likable, some are mean, some are sad, and some are hard to understand fully. Although at times it seems akin to a soap opera, it's still an awesome series. I couldn't wait to see what would happen next, and I was at the edge of my seat several times while watching.
IV. Movies:
Daredevil -- X-Men began the trend of superhero movies making big bucks, and Spiderman was the film which set the benchmark for these films. As such, it was inevitable that this film would be compared to the high standard set by Spiderman, and it certainly was. Tons of people claim, however, this is the inferior of the two films. I disagree. First of all, I think Ben Affleck did an awesome job in the movie, and that he fit the part well. The darker tone was a lot more interesting to me than Spiderman, and the villains had much more in the way of personality than the Green Goblin had. But, whatever side you're on in this argument, it doesn't really matter since they're just movies and all.
Cold Mountain -- Jude Law, Nicole Kidman, and Renee Zellweger. All three are, most certainly, A-list stars. First class ones, too, since those don't always overlap. They bring energy and life to a strong script and powerful lessons about war and humanity. This focuses on a man named Inman who, after a traumatic battle during the Civil War, deserts his post to return to the love of his life. It's a strong movie, and easily worthy of this list. If you like any of the stars, you should see it, as the movie was incredible.
The Last Samurai -- Another civil war epic like Cold Mountain, only this one is about a civil war in Japan! What sets this apart from the majority of movies this year is an absolutely killer rising (I hope) star in the form of Ken Watanabe. Tom Cruise gives a very strong performance, but Watanabe steals the show as the final samurai leader Katsumoto. A dark piece about losing tradition in the face of a new age, it teaches about how roots are an important thing to always remember, in all places.
Kill Bill Volume 1 -- The best samurai epic in ages. Well, the first half of it, at least. This is the fourth (and part two will be the fifth) film from director Quentin Tarantino. Did anyone expect him to make a samurai movie? Because I didn't. Uma Thurman is The Bride, a blood-thirsty former assassin seeking revenge for the murder of her fiancé and unborn child. Gore, stylistic action scenes, and beautiful set pieces bring vibrantly to life a world of deception and hatred, a dark portrait of how far someone can go just to get revenge. It's both powerful and entertaining at the same time, and should not be overlooked.
X2 X-Men United -- Superhero movies. As I said in my Daredevil review, the X-men film started this trend. Is it not fitting then that the sequel, X-men United, should be the strongest entry in the superhero genre to date? Interesting characters ravel around a strong plot, pushed forward by brilliant special effects and excellent action sequences, to form a tapestry of delightful extravagance. If you liked X-men, this improved upon all the originals weaknesses and adds to its strengths. If the original seemed less-than-spectacular to you, I still recommend you give this movie a shot. It is so much better than its predecessor that it makes you say “This is why you make a sequel!”
The Matrix Revolutions -- I easily consider this the most underrated game of the year. My main reason for this is because it delivered pretty much exactly what I expected. Where many wanted to learn an absolute universal truth, I just wanted to see how the war was to end, and that’s exactly what this film does. The characters aren’t very fleshed out, although by now you know who they are, and the storyline takes very few turns in it. But this is because the first two films set the stage, and basically its just time to see all the pieces find their purpose. Excellent special effects and an unpredictable ending add to what I consider a very strong finale to a trilogy which people simply expected too much from.
Bubba Ho-Tep -- Have you seen Evil Dead? Evil Dead 2? Army of Darkness? If you haven’t, then there is no way you can possibly understand just how great Bruce Campbell is. In this unusual film, he plays Elvis. Yes, it’s time at last to truly hail to the king. After a mix-up with an Elvis impersonator, nobody believes Elvis is who he is anymore, and so he has spent the years rotting in a retirement home waiting for death with a weird growth on his... well, ahem. Anyways, a mummy escapes, and begins to consume the souls of old people. And so its up to the senile Elvis, and a man who thinks he’s JFK, to stop this mummy before it’s too late. It’s comedy, it’s horror, it’s just plain fun!
***SPECIAL NOTE*** The top three films of this year are not in order, because I just plain can’t put one ahead of another. All three of the proceeding films are masterpieces of cinema in their own ways, and if you miss any of them you are truly missing out. I highly recommend you see all three of these as soon as physically possible if you haven’t.
Love Actually -- Many things can be said about romance movies. Nearly every single storyline that can be done has been done. Boy meets girl, girl meets boy, boy meets boy, girl meets girl, it’s all happened time and time again in one form or another. Romance in film is not considered a unique creature, and so doing something which has a fresh feel is near-impossible in this overly used genre. This pertains, also, to the genre of romantic comedy. Well, this film doesn’t try to be unique. In fact, every last piece of it is nearly a cliché. But what this film does instead is weave ten seemingly separate stories into a statement, this film does its best to show the world that love is everywhere around us if we only look. The love for a father and son, for a man and his wife, for a woman and her brother. All come into play in their own little storylines, and all are told with grace and care. The writing is not only human, but the plots are things we see in everyday life, and things we will never see in our lifetime. This movie aims to make you feel good from the musical opening to the triumphant ending, and with every scene between them. The most shocking thing about it, though, is that because of an all-star cast and some incredible writing, it actually pulls it off. Even if romance and comedy don’t usually speak your language, its impossible to dislike this film on every level.
The Lord of the Rings The Return of the King -- For the past two years, you see, there have been these movies about furry short dudes looking for a big volcano to throw some metal into. If you haven’t heard of it, you better have been in one hell of a coma. I’m talking edge of your life, painful, without mercy, seeing angels in their underwear dancing for your amusement coma. This final installment brings to end what is, most certainly, the finest trilogy of our time and (debatably) the best film project history has ever known. Elijah Wood as the conflicted hobbit hero Frodo, Sean Astin as the heroic Sam, Viggo Mortenson as the heroic and valiant Aragorn, and many more wonderful actors and actresses put forth the performances of their lifetime as their characters face the great battle of their era. The story reaches a magnificent crescendo as Aragorn accepts his destiny as the king of men, and at last Frodo is given his chance to destroy the ring which has troubled an entire world. Epic battle sequences fueled by the worlds best special effects accent a perfectly realized storyline, pushed further and further by the powerful steam of excellent acting and pacing. Although very long, this final chapter seems to end too soon, and the final goodbyes are all brought at the exact right times. We’ve spent since December 2001 with these lovable heroes, and it is at last time for an end to it all, but it is an end which in no way disappoints.
Pirates of the Caribbean The Curse of the Black Pearl -- Live action Disney films. These are always things which have been considered a mixed bag, unlike there rather uniformly excellent animated features. Live action Disney films based on their theme park rides... well, until this film, only one other had come out (The Country Bears) and it was an abysmal piece of cinematic hogwash. Pirate movies. I think people prefer Peewee Herman more. This movie had so much going against it. There was certainly more of a chance that it would be a hurtful experience than what has happened. What’s happened? This is one of the most charming and engrossing films to ever be made. The storyline is rather simple, and the action scenes (while very good) don’t hold up to what we’ve seen in X2, Return of the King, or The Matrix sequels. So what would it be which makes this pirate film excel? Johnny Depp, in the “breakout role” (i.e. the role that made some people very, very rich) of his career has nailed audiences to their seats as Captain Jack Sparrow. Easily the best character conceived all year, he is dashing, heroic, and at the same time unbelievably entertaining. Nobody knows why he acts as eccentric as he does, and he seems to be only on his own side, but then that’s the kind of thing people love in movies these days. We wanted him to win the day, and he did. This movie is not only the surprise hit of the year, and not only is it surprisingly good, but it comes with it some excellent news. Disney has every intention of making more of them, in fact rumor has it that two sequels are going to be filmed in succession. If this is true, I can hardly wait!
Farewell:
Sorry it took me nearly a month into 2004 to write this, but things have been busy (and I had to re-watch a few of these movies to make sure I had the order right). I hope 2003 has treated you all as well as it has treated me, ranging from a broken engagement to a present girlfriend being... okay, I hope 2003 was BETTER for you than it was for me, but there was still a lot of fun stuff this year. Until next time!
2003 has been a year full of things. Little things, big things, fun things, sad things, and dumb things. Looking back, it's almost hard to believe how the year began and how it ended. How everything fell together and mixed into the melting pot that it was. It was hard to do, but I've finally decided upon my favorites of the year, and so without further adieu... here they are!
Note: They go in this order -- least favorite to favorite.
I. Best Manga:
Shaman King -- This series falls dead last almost entirely because we only got one volume this year! Admittedly, a lot of the mangas in my list this year are newer ones, but that's because nearly all of them are ones which I've held a certain degree of anticipation for. Shaman King is a very delightful supernatural action manga which has hints of Naruto, Dragon Ball Z, and even Pokemon. Though the overall idea behind it is much fresher and more unique than the aforementioned franchises. It centers around a young boy training to become a Shaman, and as such he must capture and train ghosts (a la Pokemon) and allows them to possess his body and fight (in battles more reminiscent of Naruto or Dragon Ball). A very nice little series.
Berserk -- A fantasy epic of unrivaled gore and malice. This is a dark tale of revenge that is as moving as it is revolting. You can't help but feel for our hero, but at the same time it seems almost wrong to call such an angry man a hero. The leads hate for a sinister group known as the Godhand goes unexplained where the manga is now, but those who have seen the anime can only shutter as they contemplate his disturbing motivations, and at last anticipate discovering if vengeance shall be his or not (the anime has not yet been finished, and it is unknown if it ever will be).
Kare Kano -- Teens are popular subjects for fiction. Why? Because they're dumb and they'll spend money on most anything. Okay, so the corporate way of seeing it is mean, but seriously, this is a wonderful series. It holds both beautiful artwork and endearing characters. Like Berserk, this manga goes on beyond the material presented in the anime, like many mangas do, and so fans of the series likely look forward to a much less confusing ending. We hope.
Rurouni Kenshin -- This series has recently found a much broader audience thanks to Cartoon Network, and so many "hardcore" anime fans thus shun it. Make no mistake though, this is one of the greatest mangas of our time. Style in the art, intriguing characters, sinister villains, powerful emotional realizations, and an epic story all come together into one of the best products we will see in some time. This series follows Himura Kenshin, also known as Hitokiri Battousai, a notorious assassin who has vowed to never kill again. He finds himself at the center of Japan as it changes, and through his experiences he faces and affects those changes as best he can. Buy this, period.
Battle Royale -- Another very dark tale, this is the story of The Program and it's victims. Selected at random, high school students must murder each other in a future envisioned by creators Koushun Takami and Masayuki Taguchi. It follows the various students as they go through the horror and drama in these events. Excellent character development and vivid artwork bring this graphic and almost sick storyline richly to life. Although it isn't for the faint of heart, those who are a bit bold should read this series. I cannot recommend it enough.
II. Best Games:
Kya The Dark Lineage -- This game blends well the genres of adventure, platforming, and role playing. A rich storyline follows a young girl from our world as she is taken to an alternate reality, a reality where a kind race of forest creatures finds themselves hunted by her father, who has become possessed with madness and dark powers, leading an army against those who oppose him. The heroine must come to terms with her family and past, find her brother, and find a way home. A great game akin to Zelda in game play, easily a gem from the year.
Final Fantasy X-2 -- It had never been done. Many said it was never going to happen. It has now been done, it has happened. A direct sequel to a Final Fantasy. Arriving with mixed player acclaim, and an audience who refuse to play it, this game has had more of a struggle than any previous game in the series. Yet, despite the cynics and those who would claim it nothing more than a cheap excuse to wring more money from us, underneath the obviously differant surface lies an incredible game. Fun battles, enjoyable characters, and an interesting storyline all come together into a package worthy of Square's name.
The Legend of Zelda The Wind Waker -- Another game originally taken uneasily by the fans. Why? Graphics. The graphics made gamers nervous, thinking this would be dumbed down and made for children. The reality? Not only was it the most complex game in the series for its storyline, but the sheer amount of fun and entertainment were overwhelming. The different directions the game took all fit together perfectly and combined to make one of the most memorable gaming experiences in recent years.
Xenosaga Episode 1 -- This game was easily the one I anticipated most all year. Upon getting my copy, I found myself greeted by exactly what I was expecting. A tale that is both dark and uplifting, complex and profound, even if it isn't the whole story. The characters are memorable, the storyline was excellent (although pacing was a little slow at some points), and the game followed an excellent trend where voice acting wasn't taken as a joke. If you enjoy rpgs, this game should not be avoided, as it is one of the greatest in history, and a fine beginning to (what I'm told will be) a six game epic.
Dark Cloud 2 -- Far and away the most under looked game of the year. Excellent graphics, excellent storyline, excellent characters, excellent game play, and more variety than has been seen in a game for a very long time. I won't spoil much of what happens, but I will say you find yourself wandering a vast and lush forest labyrinth, facing demons, traveling through time in a train, piloting a giant robot, and taking pictures of your adventure all the way. Gameplay combines many of the elements of Kingdom Hearts, The Legend of Zelda, and Sim City as you build cities while trying to repair history. The original was very similar in concept, but the execution and mastery of the design are beyond what you can imagine. Everything was flawless, and so this is my choice for Game of the Year.
III. Anime:
Samurai Deeper Kyo -- A new samurai epic following historical facts with strange fantasy plots, this is a unique series in many ways, but also a lot of the same old thing one has come to expect from anime. Gorgeous women who sometimes use their endowment to their advantage, a perverted hero or two, and some excellent fight scenes. Though a notch cliché, the series executes all the right elements with all the proper taste.
Wolfs Rain -- I get the impression that this would be much, much higher on this list if I had gotten to see more, but at the moment it is here (since the U.S. release is in 2004, it gets its better chance to climb the ranks this time next year). A post-apocalyptic epic with everything from super wolves to a barren wasteland to a giant talking flower that eats moonlight(I'm not kidding). Its entertaining, and the soundtrack by Yoko Kano (as always) rules.
Full Metal Panic -- What is it about giant robots and girls with blue hair? I mean, come on! Everything from Gundam to Evangelion has done it! I'll tell you what it is, they're sexy. Really, blue hair makes giant robots sexier. Why am I ranting about blue hair instead of the show though? It's because the show speaks for itself with it's excellent everything, from animation to story. Buy it and enjoy, okay? Even if you don't like giant robot shows, neither do I, and I still can't get enough of this series. Or girls with blue hair standing next to suitably-sized giant mechanical soldiers.
Last Exile -- Wow. This animation is gorgeous. Wow. These characters are memorable. Wow. GOD this animation is amazing. Wow, wow, wow. This series is awesome. High flying adventure amongst the clouds set during an incredible war, with fully developed culture and intense storylines. The show is only just getting started, but I get the feeling it's going to be amazing.
Great Teacher Onizuka -- The show is old and the animation looks a bit dated, but at the same time this is a series which goes on strong writing alone. Very strong writing, and I have to say it works. My favorite anime I've discovered all year, this show is incredible. All the characters have three dimensions and considerable depth. Some are likable, some are mean, some are sad, and some are hard to understand fully. Although at times it seems akin to a soap opera, it's still an awesome series. I couldn't wait to see what would happen next, and I was at the edge of my seat several times while watching.
IV. Movies:
Daredevil -- X-Men began the trend of superhero movies making big bucks, and Spiderman was the film which set the benchmark for these films. As such, it was inevitable that this film would be compared to the high standard set by Spiderman, and it certainly was. Tons of people claim, however, this is the inferior of the two films. I disagree. First of all, I think Ben Affleck did an awesome job in the movie, and that he fit the part well. The darker tone was a lot more interesting to me than Spiderman, and the villains had much more in the way of personality than the Green Goblin had. But, whatever side you're on in this argument, it doesn't really matter since they're just movies and all.
Cold Mountain -- Jude Law, Nicole Kidman, and Renee Zellweger. All three are, most certainly, A-list stars. First class ones, too, since those don't always overlap. They bring energy and life to a strong script and powerful lessons about war and humanity. This focuses on a man named Inman who, after a traumatic battle during the Civil War, deserts his post to return to the love of his life. It's a strong movie, and easily worthy of this list. If you like any of the stars, you should see it, as the movie was incredible.
The Last Samurai -- Another civil war epic like Cold Mountain, only this one is about a civil war in Japan! What sets this apart from the majority of movies this year is an absolutely killer rising (I hope) star in the form of Ken Watanabe. Tom Cruise gives a very strong performance, but Watanabe steals the show as the final samurai leader Katsumoto. A dark piece about losing tradition in the face of a new age, it teaches about how roots are an important thing to always remember, in all places.
Kill Bill Volume 1 -- The best samurai epic in ages. Well, the first half of it, at least. This is the fourth (and part two will be the fifth) film from director Quentin Tarantino. Did anyone expect him to make a samurai movie? Because I didn't. Uma Thurman is The Bride, a blood-thirsty former assassin seeking revenge for the murder of her fiancé and unborn child. Gore, stylistic action scenes, and beautiful set pieces bring vibrantly to life a world of deception and hatred, a dark portrait of how far someone can go just to get revenge. It's both powerful and entertaining at the same time, and should not be overlooked.
X2 X-Men United -- Superhero movies. As I said in my Daredevil review, the X-men film started this trend. Is it not fitting then that the sequel, X-men United, should be the strongest entry in the superhero genre to date? Interesting characters ravel around a strong plot, pushed forward by brilliant special effects and excellent action sequences, to form a tapestry of delightful extravagance. If you liked X-men, this improved upon all the originals weaknesses and adds to its strengths. If the original seemed less-than-spectacular to you, I still recommend you give this movie a shot. It is so much better than its predecessor that it makes you say “This is why you make a sequel!”
The Matrix Revolutions -- I easily consider this the most underrated game of the year. My main reason for this is because it delivered pretty much exactly what I expected. Where many wanted to learn an absolute universal truth, I just wanted to see how the war was to end, and that’s exactly what this film does. The characters aren’t very fleshed out, although by now you know who they are, and the storyline takes very few turns in it. But this is because the first two films set the stage, and basically its just time to see all the pieces find their purpose. Excellent special effects and an unpredictable ending add to what I consider a very strong finale to a trilogy which people simply expected too much from.
Bubba Ho-Tep -- Have you seen Evil Dead? Evil Dead 2? Army of Darkness? If you haven’t, then there is no way you can possibly understand just how great Bruce Campbell is. In this unusual film, he plays Elvis. Yes, it’s time at last to truly hail to the king. After a mix-up with an Elvis impersonator, nobody believes Elvis is who he is anymore, and so he has spent the years rotting in a retirement home waiting for death with a weird growth on his... well, ahem. Anyways, a mummy escapes, and begins to consume the souls of old people. And so its up to the senile Elvis, and a man who thinks he’s JFK, to stop this mummy before it’s too late. It’s comedy, it’s horror, it’s just plain fun!
***SPECIAL NOTE*** The top three films of this year are not in order, because I just plain can’t put one ahead of another. All three of the proceeding films are masterpieces of cinema in their own ways, and if you miss any of them you are truly missing out. I highly recommend you see all three of these as soon as physically possible if you haven’t.
Love Actually -- Many things can be said about romance movies. Nearly every single storyline that can be done has been done. Boy meets girl, girl meets boy, boy meets boy, girl meets girl, it’s all happened time and time again in one form or another. Romance in film is not considered a unique creature, and so doing something which has a fresh feel is near-impossible in this overly used genre. This pertains, also, to the genre of romantic comedy. Well, this film doesn’t try to be unique. In fact, every last piece of it is nearly a cliché. But what this film does instead is weave ten seemingly separate stories into a statement, this film does its best to show the world that love is everywhere around us if we only look. The love for a father and son, for a man and his wife, for a woman and her brother. All come into play in their own little storylines, and all are told with grace and care. The writing is not only human, but the plots are things we see in everyday life, and things we will never see in our lifetime. This movie aims to make you feel good from the musical opening to the triumphant ending, and with every scene between them. The most shocking thing about it, though, is that because of an all-star cast and some incredible writing, it actually pulls it off. Even if romance and comedy don’t usually speak your language, its impossible to dislike this film on every level.
The Lord of the Rings The Return of the King -- For the past two years, you see, there have been these movies about furry short dudes looking for a big volcano to throw some metal into. If you haven’t heard of it, you better have been in one hell of a coma. I’m talking edge of your life, painful, without mercy, seeing angels in their underwear dancing for your amusement coma. This final installment brings to end what is, most certainly, the finest trilogy of our time and (debatably) the best film project history has ever known. Elijah Wood as the conflicted hobbit hero Frodo, Sean Astin as the heroic Sam, Viggo Mortenson as the heroic and valiant Aragorn, and many more wonderful actors and actresses put forth the performances of their lifetime as their characters face the great battle of their era. The story reaches a magnificent crescendo as Aragorn accepts his destiny as the king of men, and at last Frodo is given his chance to destroy the ring which has troubled an entire world. Epic battle sequences fueled by the worlds best special effects accent a perfectly realized storyline, pushed further and further by the powerful steam of excellent acting and pacing. Although very long, this final chapter seems to end too soon, and the final goodbyes are all brought at the exact right times. We’ve spent since December 2001 with these lovable heroes, and it is at last time for an end to it all, but it is an end which in no way disappoints.
Pirates of the Caribbean The Curse of the Black Pearl -- Live action Disney films. These are always things which have been considered a mixed bag, unlike there rather uniformly excellent animated features. Live action Disney films based on their theme park rides... well, until this film, only one other had come out (The Country Bears) and it was an abysmal piece of cinematic hogwash. Pirate movies. I think people prefer Peewee Herman more. This movie had so much going against it. There was certainly more of a chance that it would be a hurtful experience than what has happened. What’s happened? This is one of the most charming and engrossing films to ever be made. The storyline is rather simple, and the action scenes (while very good) don’t hold up to what we’ve seen in X2, Return of the King, or The Matrix sequels. So what would it be which makes this pirate film excel? Johnny Depp, in the “breakout role” (i.e. the role that made some people very, very rich) of his career has nailed audiences to their seats as Captain Jack Sparrow. Easily the best character conceived all year, he is dashing, heroic, and at the same time unbelievably entertaining. Nobody knows why he acts as eccentric as he does, and he seems to be only on his own side, but then that’s the kind of thing people love in movies these days. We wanted him to win the day, and he did. This movie is not only the surprise hit of the year, and not only is it surprisingly good, but it comes with it some excellent news. Disney has every intention of making more of them, in fact rumor has it that two sequels are going to be filmed in succession. If this is true, I can hardly wait!
Farewell:
Sorry it took me nearly a month into 2004 to write this, but things have been busy (and I had to re-watch a few of these movies to make sure I had the order right). I hope 2003 has treated you all as well as it has treated me, ranging from a broken engagement to a present girlfriend being... okay, I hope 2003 was BETTER for you than it was for me, but there was still a lot of fun stuff this year. Until next time!