1997 Year-End Movie Wrap-Up


Another year gone by, another year in review. While 1997 wasn’t a terribly notable year for movies of depth, it was a landmark year for films filled with excitement, sizzle, and just plain old fun. 1997 will go down as the year that Disney finally got trumped, Stallone became an actor, and special effects ruled the box office. Although I find it difficult to rank the films in my list, the best of the best will be obvious to those who read on.

Here are what I consider to be the ten best films of 1997, in alphabetical order:

Air Force One - Nobody does it better than Harrison Ford. He managed to elevate this standard action film into a consistently taut and engaging cat-and-mouse game with bad guy Gary Oldman. This President Ford was as sure-footed as Gerald only wished he could be

Anastasia - Twentieth Century Fox finally succeeded in doing what other studios have only halfheartedly attempted. Although Disney released another instant classic by way of "Hercules" (see below), "Anastasia" scored as the best animated film of the year. With clever characterizations, a compelling story, and a soundtrack filled with memorable songs, it upped the ante for children’s films and proved itself to be no Mickey Mouse production.

Cop Land - Sylvester Stallone in a serious film and giving a layered performance to boot? Who woulda thunk? This crime drama featured an all-star cast and Sly managed to hold his own with such luminaries as Robert De Niro and Harvey Keitel. Don’t be too surprised if the Italian Stallion garners his first Oscar nomination since winning the gold for "Rocky" a scant 21 years ago.

The Fifth Element - This sci-fi comedy was the most enjoyable romp of the first half of ’97. Bruce Willis, Milla Jovovich and a truckload of special effects made this one entertaining from first frame to last. Gary Oldman as the bad guy again? Another plus.

Hercules - Disney’s own entry in the animation competition was fun and bright. James Woods as Hades was a casting triumph, while the film itself was reminiscent of the energetic "Aladdin". It faded from theatres faster than expected, so a video release should be imminent.

Men in Black - This outrageous high-concept comedy was the film that Tim Burton’s "Mars Attacks" should have been. The biggest moneymaker of the year, "Men in Black" delighted audiences with its clever effects, clever writing, and hip attitude.

My Best Friend’s Wedding - This romantic comedy came out of nowhere and stunned audiences with its decidedly non-Hollywood ending. Julia Roberts, whose career has languished since the hit "Pretty Woman" several years ago, makes a stunning return to the forefront of American actresses. This one is worth watching again and again.

The Saint - Although the year’s Bond flick disappointed, Val Kilmer was there to fill in the super-spy void with his canny performance as Simon Templar, a.k.a. The Saint. Will he make a return appearance a la 007? Here’s hoping.

Starship Troopers - The second of the low-on-depth- but-high-on-spunk science fiction films to storm the box office, "Starship Troopers" ratcheted up the action to a frenetic level. Cast with mostly unknowns, this long-awaited novel adaptation delivered on its promises, thanks to the steady hand of director Paul Verhoeven (Total Recall).

Titanic - The biggest spectacle of the year, "Titanic" didn’t feel like the 3 hour 15 minute epic it was. Ultimately a touching love story, the film also featured mind-blowing special effects that recreated the ill-fated luxury-liner in all its decadent glory. What really made the film powerful, however, was its stunning portrayal of the big ship’s demise followed closely by the deaths of hundreds of passengers who were dumped into the icy sea. The year’s best film is also its most haunting.

Honorable mention goes to the Brad Pitt drama "Seven Years in Tibet" for its reverent attitude towards the Dalai Lama and Tibet, and also to the release of the souped-up special edition of the "Star Wars" trilogy.

After examining the cream of the crop, it’s only fitting to inspect the bottom of the barrel. While none of the five films that follow were outrageously bad, all were gloriously wastes of celluloid and terrible disappointments.

In no particular order:

Flubber & That Darn Cat - Disney failed miserably with these two re-makes of earlier hits. The little-seen "That Darn Cat" was grating on the nerves while "Flubber" was merely unfunny and dull. If this is the studio’s best live-action effort, I’d advise them to stick to their day job (animation).

Volcano & Dante’s Peak - Two volcanoes, two duds. Let’s hope we’ve seen the last of the disaster film for a while. "Twister" should be spanked for reviving this genre.

Speed 2: Cruise Control - In stark contrast to the drama of "Titanic" comes this sea-faring dud which places a cruise ship in peril for the sake of hackneyed action and suspense. Keanu Reeves couldn’t have kept this one afloat.


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