It’s that time of year again – the weather’s getting warmer, the night’s are getting longer, so it’s the perfect time to go and sit in a dark room and spend two hours watching a movie. Which makes it the perfect time of year in term of film releases because the release of Avengers: Age of Ultron has heralded the start of Blockbuster Season 2015. Unlike Spring, Summer, and Winter, this season tends to have something for everyone; from Iron Man and co saving to the world, to Channing Tatum taking it all off in ‘Magic Mike XXL’ to Pixar’s latest, ‘Inside Out’. Here’s a look at some films to watch out for over the coming months.
APRIL
Avengers Age of Ultron (April 23)
The gang’s all back to save the world, not from aliens this time, but from something (Iron) Man made. The film also introduces new characters Quicksilver, Scarlet Witch and The Vision but that does leave the viewer struggling to keep up with who’s who in some of the big battle scenes. Plus, one of the things I loved about the first Avengers film was how fun and funny it was – there are big swathes of Ultron where they completely forget to bring the funny. It’s going to make millions around the world and will probably be the year’s biggest film but it doesn’t quite live up to the promise of the first film.
MAY
Mad Max: Fury Road (May 15)
Tom Hardy takes over from Mel Gibson in the iconic role of Max Rockatanksy in this film which has been years in the making. He’s joined in the film by Charlize Theron, Nicholas Hoult and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley. The story follows Max has joins forces with the mysterious Furiosa. Not much else is known about the film, it has a particular “look” in the trailers. Can they reboot the franchise? We’ll have to wait and see.
Tomorrowland: A World Beyond (May 22)
George Clooney returns to blockbuster season as he plays a former boy-genius who joins Casey (Britt Robertson) on a danger-filled mission to unearth the secrets of an enigmatic place somewhere in time and space known only as Tomorrowland. The cast also includes Hugh Laurie and Tim McGraw and the film’s directed by Brad Bird whose previous work includes The Incredibles and Mission: Impossible 4.
San Andreas (May 29)
Dwayne Johnson, Paul Giamatti, Carla Gugino and Ioan Gruffudd lead the cast of disaster flick San Andreas. After a huge earthquake hits California, a helicopter rescue pilot and his estranged wife must journey from Los Angeles to San Francisco to find their missing daughter. It looks a lot like the old disaster movies of the 1970s, lots of good-rollicking fun!
JUNE
Spy (June 5)
Every year there’s a comedy that breaks out and takes the box office by storm. Melissa McCarthy did it in 2011’s Bridesmaids and I think she might do it again with this comedy about a desk-bound CIA operative who volunteers to go undercover to stop a diabolical global disaster. The supporting cast includes Jason Statham, Jude Law, Rose Byrne and Miranda Hart and I have to say the trailer makes it look like a good laugh!
Jurassic World (June 12)
The dinos are back, ready to wreak havoc for a fourth time. Set 22 years are the events of Jurassic Park, John Hammond’s dream of a fully functioning dino-theme park has been realised. But after packing in the crowds for 10 years visitor numbers are dwindling and the powers that be come up with a new creation to bring the public back. But as Ian Malcolm says in Jurassic Park “scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, that they didn’t stop to think if they should”. Because you know things are going to go wrong, very wrong! Chris Pratt, from last year’s Guardians of the Galaxy, leads the cast alongside Bryce Dallas Howard. Will it reach the heights of Park? Well the latest trailer makes it feel very similar.
Minions (June 26)
Let’s be honest, the Minions have stolen both Despicable Me movies and now they’re getting their own spin-off. Set 42 years BG (Before Gru), the film sees Kevin, Stuart and Bob taken in by super-villain Scarlet Overkill and her husband Herb who come up with an evil plan to take over the world. The voice cast includes Sandra Bullock, John Hamm, Allison Janney and Steve Coogan. This is one film that will definitely keep the kids amused over the summer holidays.
JULY
Terminator Genisys (July 1)
Yes, he’s back. Sort of. This is another attempt to reboot the franchise, Kyle Reese is sent back in time to 1984 to protect Sarah Connor. But she’s no longer the scared witness he expects, instead she’s a skilled fighter with a Terminator guardian. Game of Thrones’ Emilia Clarke stars as Sarah Connor alongside Jai Courteney, Jason Clarke, Matt Smith and, of course, Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Magic Mike XXL (July 3)
Probably not one to take the kids to… Channing Tatum returns as stripper Mike who reunites with the rest of the Kings of Tampa for one final performance. Unfortunately Matthew McConaughey’s too busy with the McConnaisence to return, but the sequel does have Jada Pinkett Smith among the cast.
Inside Out (July 24)
The new film from Pixar follows the five emotions inside a girl’s head as they vie for control after a life-changing event. As always with Pixar, the animation looks both beautiful and believable. The film’s directed by Pete Doctor who pulled at everyone’s heartstrings with Up and features the voices of Amy Poehler, Bill Hader and Mindy Kaling. Here’s a clip:
Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (July 30)
Tom Cruise returns as super spy Ethan Hunt for the fifth time in the latest Mission: Impossible film. This time Ethan and the team must eradicate a rogue organisation as skilled as they are which wants to take down the IMF. Ving Rhames, Jeremy Renner and Simon Pegg all return and they’re joined by Rebecca Ferguson who you may remember from the BBC’s The White Queen. As usual Cruise has thrown himself into some pretty amazing stunts.
So whatever your taste I’d say there’s something for everyone this blockbuster season.
