15 Favorite Summer Films of the 2000's

The 2000’s were a time where I went from adolescent to a teenager, where my taste in film began to grow. The summer movies of the 2000’s were different from the 90’s as we begin to see a shift at the multiplex. Ranging from superheroes, an amnesic spy, comedies and pirates, here are my top 15 summer films of the 2000’s. Honorable mentions that did not make the list: Pineapple Express, Mission Impossible 2 & 3, Superbad, Gladiator, Collateral, Signs and Step Brothers.

15. The Hangover (2009)

After a wild night out that they barely remember, three friends must find their friend to be married as they encounter shenanigans and chaos. All before a big wedding that they plan on attending.

One of many raunchy R rated comedies released during the decade, I caught this one at the end of my senior year in high school. The film’s humor had me laughing throughout and the three leads (Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms and Zach Galifianakis) are all great in their roles. 

14. Bruce Almighty (2003)

Disgruntled TV weatherman Bruce (Jim Carrey) inherits the powers of God (Morgan Freeman) when he complains that he’s not doing his job right. This leaves Bruce to grant people their prayers, use it for personal gain and impress his girlfriend (Jennifer Aniston).

Jim Carrey is one of my favorite comic actors and these types of comedy films rarely get made today. Reminiscent of comedy films infused with fantasy like “Groundhog Day” and Carrey’s own “Liar Liar” that imagine what ifs. 

13. Wanted (2008)

An ordinary office worker (James McAvoy) gets recruited to join a secret society of assassins when he discovers his father is a high ranked member. He becomes the protege of a veteran (Angelina Jolie) who guides him. 

 Based on the Mark Millar comic of the same name, Kazakh film director TImur Bekmambetov makes his Hollywood debut combining John Woo like action with fantasy. Also starring Morgan Freeman, Common, Terrence Stamp and in a small role, Chris Pratt. McAvoy is believable as an action star and Jolie also gives a great performance and has amazing action scenes.

12. Iron Man (2008)

Billionaire Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr) is captured by terrorists and escapes by making an armored suit. Later, he develops the tech and becomes the hero he never thought he would be. 

Prior to the film, the character was a lesser known Marvel Comics hero and Robert Downey Jr’s troubled past made him a household name for all the wrong reasons. Nonetheless, Jon Favreau's film is an entertaining film about a jerk changing his behavior and becoming a protector. It revived Downey Jr’s career (personally for me, it was David Fincher’s “Zodiac”) and is the first entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.  

11. Transformers (2007)

A high school boy (Shia LaBeouf) gets caught up in a conflict between two alien robot factions: the heroic Autobots and the villainous Decepticons. The two groups try to get an artifact that can rebuild their home. 

Based on the popular toy line that launched a cartoon, this big screen adaptation from director Michael Bay and executive producer Steven Spielberg craft an entertaining popcorn flick, thanks to its visual effects and action sequences. As Bay describes the film, it’s “Seven Samurai” meets “Close Encounters of the Third Kind”.    

10. Tropic Thunder (2008)

A bunch of actors, ranging from a has been action star, troubled comedic actor, thespian, rapper and newbie, are making a Vietnam War film when they are dropped in a remote jungle area in Asia. There, they run into actual conflict and must use their wits when they must rescue one of their own. 

Seeing this in the theater, I laughed my ass off the entire time. Director and star Ben Stiller crafts a brilliant Hollywood satire and the entire cast is excellent in it from Jack Black, Robert Downey Jr, Tom Cruise (in makeup) and many more. 

9. The Italian Job (2003)

A group of thieves plan to steal gold from a former member who betrayed them after a successful heist in Venice. 

Inspired by the 1969 film of the same name. F. Gary Gray makes an “Ocean’s 11” type film mixed with thrilling chase scenes featuring boats and cars. The cast is excellent with Mark Wahlberg, Charlize Theron, Edward Norton, Jason Statham, Seth Green and Mos Def. 

8. District 9 (2009)

In an alternate reality where aliens (prawns as they are called) land in Johannesburg, South Africa, the government puts them in internment camps. An alien and his son plan to escape to return home, with the assistance of a bureaucrat.

Made on a small budget, Neill Blomkamp’s film debut is a great science fiction film with social commentary, similar to Paul Verhoeven’s sci-fi films (Robocop, Total Recall, Starship Troopers). From the action, visuals, story and performances, it was a film where I was rooting for the aliens. 

7. The Bourne Trilogy (2002, 2004, 2007)

Amnesic spy Jason Bourne (Matt Damon) wakes up not knowing who he is and throughout the three films released during the decade, goes through different locations to discover who he really is. 

Matt Damon is beyond great in the role as the titular spy. An excellent spy thriller with a gritty realism like “The French Connection” and “Three Days of the Condor”. In all three films, there is always a car chase that has me glued to the screen.  

6. Star Trek (2009)

The beginning origins for the crew of the Enterprise and their journey to the final frontier. It establishes the partnership of James T. Kirk and Spock as they first butt heads.

While I am not a Star Trek fan, I am a lover of science fiction. Director J.J. Abrams imbues the film with action, humor, thrills and character work. All of the main cast excel in the roles and a story I found to be compelling. 

5. Minority Report (2002)

In the future, all crime is prevented by a special police department using three psychics, “Precogs”, that can predict individuals committing crime. When precrime police chief John Anderton (Tom Cruise) is accused of a crime he has not committed, he must go on the run to clear his name.    

Director Steven Spielberg teams with Tom Cruise for a futuristic sci-fi thriller with visual appeal and a murder mystery plot. I enjoyed the action and later saw some of the philosophy of freewill. Based on a short story by Philip K. Dick, whose stories have been turned into films like “Blade Runner” and “Total Recall”. Like Anderton, Dick’s characters tend to question their reality.

4. X-Men/ X2: X-Men United (2000, 2003)

Based on the popular Marvel Comics characters, their big screen adaptation features two factions of Mutants. One led by Charles Xavier/ Professor X, who owns a school for those with special gifts and wants to help humanity accept them. His team, the X-Men, protect humanity from evil. While Erik Lehnsher/Magneto, hardened by his experiences in the holocaust, vows to fight humanity. Both had a friendship but were divided on their relationship with humanity. Popular mutant Wolverine is also a protagonist throughout the series as well as other mutants. 

When the first film came out in 2000, I was so excited since I read the comics and watched the cartoon growing up. The first two films capture the visuals, action, humor and themes of the comics. Hugh Jackman had his breakout role as Wolverine. 

3. Spider-Man (2002, 2004)

High schooler Peter Parker (Tobey Magurie) gets bitten by a radioactive spider that gives him superhuman abilities. He uses his power for good and battles villainous foes while tackling his life. 

Being a Spider–Man fan, it was a massive event when the first movie was released during my preteen days. Director Sam Raimi (The Evil Dead franchise) captures the spirit of the comic books into cinema. Magurie and Kristen Dunst had some great chemistry. 

2. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)

Charming roguish pirate Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) helps blacksmith Will Turner to rescue Elizabeth Swann from a gang of supernatural pirates.  

I do enjoy an entertaining swashbuckling adventure in the vein of Raiders of the Lost Ark and this film is one of them. Famed producer Jerry Bruckheimer (Top Gun, Beverly Hills Cop, The Rock) and director Gore Verbinski, coming off the horror hit “The Ring”, make an entertaining high seas adventure for all ages. Depp cemented his status here as an A lister. 

1.  Batman Begins/ The Dark Knight (2005, 2008)

After his parents are murdered in front of him, billionaire Bruce Wayne devotes his life and resources to fight crime and corruption in the city of Gotham. He battles The Scarecrow, Ra’s Al Ghul, Two Face and famously, The Joker. 

Being a massive Batman fan, these were my most anticipated films upon release. Prior to Begins, the franchise was stalled after the disaster that was “Batman and Robin”. Director Christopher Nolan, known for his indie hit “Memento”, successfully reinvigorates the franchise. Begins is a great origin story with Bale giving a great performance as both Bruce Wayne and Batman. With The Dark Knight, Nolan the perfect sequel that eclipses the first and Heath Ledger’s Joker is a tour de force performance.       

10 Favorite Summer Blockbusters of the 90's.

The summer movie season was a cherished moment in my life as I was away from school and enjoyed a film that would capture the attention of others as well. Being young in the 90’s and 2000’s. I got to experience what the summer movie season has to offer. The 90’s was a time that I remembered fondly. Studios would bet it all on extravaganza with big stars attached to it. Here is a list of films that are my personal choices and ones that I have in my collection. Honorable mentions that didn’t make the list include: Armageddon, the “Batman” franchise, The Lion King, Forrest Gump, Saving Private Ryan, Braveheart.

10. Mission Impossible (1996)

Based on the 1960’s spy series, IMF agent Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) goes on the run after a mission gone wrong and tries to clear his name while on the lam.  

Tom Cruise's first foray into producing films launched a franchise that is still going to this day. The first one hails from director Brian DePalma (Blow Out, The Untouchables, Scarface, Carrie), who brings his signature flair and style to create a taunt white knuckle thriller from beginning to end. Plus the theme song will be playing in your head long after the film is done.  

9. Face/Off (1997)

An FBI agent (John Travolta) and international terrorist (Nicolas Cage) assumes each other’s identities in order to foil a terror plot.

Hong Kong film director John Woo brings his trademark heroic bloodshed from his earlier films, like The Killer and Hard Boiled, to a Hollywood film. Both Travolta and Cage are at the top of their game in their performances as they play off each other. 

8. Men in Black (1997) 

A young NYPD cop (Will Smith) gets recruited by a veteran government agent (Tommy Lee Jones) and introduces him to a world of extraterrestrials living among us. Some of whom are peaceful while others seek chaos.

After making a name for himself in works like The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Bad Boys and Independence Day, Will Smith cemented his status with this film and Tommy Lee Jones’ performance is also memorable. Director Barry Sonnenfeld along with executive producer Steven Spielberg blends science fiction with comedy. Special shoutout to makeup designer Rick Baker, whose alien makeup designs were perfectly crafted.  

7. Speed (1994)

LAPD SWAT officer Jack Traven (Keanu Reeves) must stop a madman’s plot of blowing up a bus if it reaches 50 MPH. Along with passenger Annie (Sandra Bullock), the pair are in the ride of their lives. 

Cinematographer Jan De Bont, who did Lethal Weapon, Die Hard, Basic Instinct, makes his directorial debut with this Die Hard inspired plot. Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock have excellent chemistry and Dennis Hopper is great as the madman who rigs the bus with explosions. 

6. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)

In this sequel, the cyborg Terminator is sent to the past to protect future resistance leader John Connor, along with his mother Sarah, from another cyborg, who intends on killing Connor.

Director James Cameron's follow up to The Terminator is vastly different, where the original was more of a sci-fi thriller and the second one is action oriented, This is also Arnold Schwarzenegger’s finest performance in his signature role as well as Linda Hamilton as Sarah Connor. The film also pioneered visual effects, which still hold up to this day.     

5. The Rock (1996)

A goofy chemist (Nicolas Cage) teams with a former spy (Sean Connery) to rescue hostages at Alcatraz after a group of rouge soldiers led by a grief stricken General (Ed Harris). 

Though he gets a lot of flak in his films, director Michael Bay strikes gold here thanks to great action set pieces, good story and the performance from all three main actors. Especially Connery and Cage’s chemistry and quips. 

4. Twister (1996)

A pair of divorced storm chasers (Helen Hunt & Bill Paxton) set out to deploy a tornado research device during a severe outbreak of tornadoes.

“Speed” director Jan De Bont teams up with executive producer Steven Spielberg and “Jurassic Park” writer Michael Crichton for this thrilling disaster film. Seeing this in the theater gave me chills but I was in awe of the spectacle. Hunt and Paxton are great in their roles as bickering exes that ultimately come together. Great supporting role by the great late Philip Seymour Hoffman. 

3. The Mask of Zorro (1998)

Former Zorro Don Diego De La Vega (Sir Anthony Hopkins) gets imprisoned for 20 years and escapes to seek revenge on the person that sent him to prison and took his daughter (Catherine Zeta-Jones). Along the way, he recruits a protege (Antonio Banderas) to train and take up the mask. 

An entertaining swashbuckling adventure romp that harkens back to “Raiders of the Lost Ark” and watching the sword fights as a kid was exciting in the theater. Banderas made an excellent hero, and was the first Hispanic actor to portray the swordsman. 

2. The Mummy (1999)

When an Egyptian high priest gets brought back to life, it’s up to an adventurer (Brendan Fraser), a librarian (Rachel Weiz) and a rag tag group to put a stop before he takes over. The titular creature also see’s the librarian as his lost love reincarnated. 

At the end of the 90’s, director Stephen Sommers creates a fun blend of supernatural horror with Indiana Jones style action and adventure. 25 years later, the film still holds up , thanks to its thrilling action, visual effects, humor and chemistry between Fraser and Weiz. 

1. Jurassic Park (1993)

A group of scientists and experts get invited to an island where dinosaurs are brought back to life. Then the dinosaurs get loose, terrorizing the guests. 

Legendary director Steven Spielberg made a film that defined my childhood and was on instant replay of VHS. Sam Neil, Laura Dern and Jeff Goldblum are a perfect trio, Goldblum in particular as chaos theory expert Dr. Ian Malcolm. Seeing the dinosaurs come to life onscreen had an impact on me and would rank this highly alongside Jaws and Raiders of the Lost Ark as perfect Spielberg blockbusters.