From 2000 to 2009, lots of blockbusters seem to have a harsher reputation than they seem to deserve.
These, in fact…
The 00s saw its fair share of huge blockbuster franchises either beginning or ending.
The Prequel trilogy drew to a close, as did theMatrixfilms.
Batman rose again, andThe Lord Of The Ringsdefined trilogies for a new generation.
Bond got an update, and the Marvel Cinematic Universe was born.
Everything we see now in major blockbuster filmmaking came from this decade.
But what about the films which didnt resonate with audiences or critics at the time?
Does a bit of distance make a difference?
Heres 25 blockbusters which deserve another shot.
Certainly box office disappointmentTreasure Planethas a lot more going for it than its reputation may suggest.
But its storytelling is still strong, and theres a very cinematic adventure at the heart of the film.
Maybe it lacks a memorable song, or fluffy merchandise, butTreasure Planetnonetheless felt notably ahead of its time.
We suspect it would have earned a better response had it arrived a decade later… Its a film with a list of startling moments, equal to anything else Spielberg has put on film.
The opening tripod attack is an all-time classic.
The train rushing past on fire.
The tripod searching the house.
Which although visually magnificent, is somewhat muddled narratively.
with all the horror, politics, and kingdom building that entailed.
Need I say more?
Well then how about superb B-movie style action actually realised on a fairly grand scale?
Dragons vs apaches my friend.
Actually, scratch that.
Misguided in parts, Ang LeesHulkis the smartest superhero film made yet.
If its biggest flaw is that it tried too hard, then I thinkHulkdeserves another watch.
Tom Cruise is an American former cavalry officer sent to help Japan modernise its army.
Finding himself captured by samurai, he learns their ways and gradually becomes one of them.
Theres the spellbinding fairy-tale visuals with emotional subtext reminiscent ofPans Labyrinth.
Theres the blockbuster thrill ofPacific Rim.
Theres Luke Goss inexplicably being the bad-guy.
Oh, and Angelina wears an eye-patch and is a badass flying ace.
Lets hope that Conran is one day allowed back out of director jail to make another movie.
(d. Bryan Singer, 2006)
Come back Brandon Routh and Bryan Singer, all is forgiven.
This is a not too bad follow-up to the first film.
(d. Guy Ritchie, 2009)
Is this Guy Ritchies best film?
Its easily his most accomplished, marrying his British mockney sensibilities with a Hollywood cast and budget.
Nor did I, on first watch.
But give it another chance, and youll see theres method in the madness.
Call it an interesting failure worthy of rediscovery.
He spends the days roaming the empty city, and the nights trying to create a cure.
Up until the final act, this film is one of the most thoughtful and well-paced blockbusters ever created.
Yes there are plot holes galore.
Yes, theres not much resolution to any sort of narrative.
But really, its all about the experience here.
(d. Roland Emmerich, 2004)
Why pick this over2012?
(d. Marc Forster, 2008)
Or alternatively, what James Bond did on his holiday.
Ive always had a softer spot than most forQuantum Of Solace.
Craig sells it perfectly.
UnlikeSpectre, its Bond as serialised storytelling done right.
Nothing feels in service to the myth, rather its all in service to the story and character.
After an acrimonious split, the gang have been dissolved for two years.
Hands down the Scooby-Doo Spooky Coaster is one of the best rollercoaster experiences in the world.
(d. Wolfgang Petersen, 2004)
For a brief period afterGladiator, it seemed historical epics were back.
But lukewarm audience response to them signalled the end of the resurgence.
Which is a shame, asTroyis a beautiful, fascinating version ofThe Illiadwith some truly great performances.
Chief amongst them is Eric Bana as Hector, noble hero of the Trojans.
Which is exactly as it should be.
Except with this previous effort at least the film is watchable and makes sense.
