Over the summer, a variety of movies that film connoisseurs had been waiting for were finally released. The films fluctuated from family-friendly cartoons, to intense action-adventure and sci-fi themes. The movies played throughout the summer certainly stirred up a great deal of controversy, that left audience members in total disagreement.  

Finding Dory

One of the most sought after movies of the summer, “Finding Dory” came out on June 17, after waiting a long three years since the film making was announced. A large majority of the film’s audience consisted of teenagers, who grew up watching Marlin and Dory’s aquatic adventure unfold on their quest to find Nemo.

In “Finding Dory” however, the roles have shifted as Dory gets lost finding her parents and it becomes up to Marlin and Nemo to find their forgetful friend. Dory finds herself, like Nemo, captured by people and then taken to a rehabilitation center for ocean fish.

As the film progresses, many audience members acknowledged how well the movie met the high standards originally expected of the film. “Finding Dory” is packed full of familiar references from the the original film, yet new ideas and exciting aspects of the latest, modern animation.

Brepyn grade: A

Independence Day: Resurgence

“Independence Day: Resurgence” was released in late June, bringing in a complete different audience of science fiction lovers. The film is the sequel to the original “Independence Day” from 1996 that included beloved actors like  Will Smith and Bill Pullman.

Sadly, disputes arose when the film’s primary audience realized Will Smith turned down his chance to return in the sequel film. The movie itself did much worse in the box office than expected, many saying it is the direct result of Will Smith not being featured in the film.

The film quality however, makes great use of CGI, allowing the atmosphere to feel futuristic. The movie is based in the future, while the country undergoes an alien invasion. It becomes up to some of the world renowned fighter pilots like Liam Hemsworth and Jessie Usher to save the world and fight off the invaders. “Independence Day: Resurgence” is an exciting film, packed-full of action and science fiction, and much loved by it’s audience.

Brepyn rating: C

The Legend of Tarzan

On June 27th, “The Legend of Tarzan” swung into theaters, as a new recreation of “Tarzan of the Apes”, a film from 1912. The film has few similarities to the Disney version of “Tarzan”, and better portrays  a more mature interpretation of the story.

The film presents Tarzan (Alexander Skarsgård) living in London with Jane (Margot Robbie), and looking back on events for emphasis on his past. His story starts when apes attack Tarzan’s parents, leaving the baby alone with the animals. Just like the familiar Disney version, an Ape mother finds Tarzan and raises the baby on her own, despite the other Apes wanting him dead.

The effects and CGI used in the movie make the animals look extremely realistic, especially when seeing it in 3D. The movie shows an interesting side of African tribal culture as well as the wildlife in the African Congo. “The Legend of Tarzan” is a great film including exciting adventure as well as a solid storyline.

Brepyn rating: B-

Ghostbusters

One of the most controversial movies of the summer, “Ghostbusters”, came out mid July, after receiving enormous amounts of hate for women playing the iconic “Ghostbusters”. The comedy came out in theaters after the original Ghostbuster movies, from the 1980s, that included primarily male roles.

The ghost hunters are played by well-loved actors such as Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Leslie Jones, and Kate McKinnon. Throughout the film, the ghost-believing women slowly find themselves as the first ghost hunters in New York City, during a serious ghost problem.

While the movie is both hilarious and spooky, the film makes light of the fact that the ghostbusters are female by including miniscule references to the gender argument. The movie also showcases the original ghostbusters, like Bill Murray and Dan Aykroyd, as minor roles adding some familiarity to the entire film.    

“Ghostbusters” a good movie to watch considering the director’s (Paul Feig) vision had for the film, with the final result being slightly average. The film is a fun, light-hearted watch to show great female comedians fight off ghosts.

Brepyn rating: B

Suicide Squad

Suicide Squad, the summer’s last anticipated film, swept into theaters on August 4th. Comic book lovers and movie-goers everywhere rushed into theaters to see what all the hype was about.

The “Suicide Squad”, a group of criminal heathens consists of well-known DC comic characters such as Deadshot (Will Smith), The Joker (Jared Leto), and Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie) who allegedly stole the entire show.

The film showcases the skills of every villain, releasing them from prison to fight a dangerous unknown, for a reward of 10 years off their prison sentences. The movie is both funny and intense, fighting the worst criminals with an even worse force.

Although many people verbally declared how disappointed they felt towards the film, few valued the differences between the original comic and the movie that was emerged from it. “Suicide Squad” is an impressive and well-thought-out movie, that showed unique directing decisions that both altered the storyline and added great things to the plot.

Brepyn rating: B

While most of the movies released over the summer met the expectations of many movie-goers, a few let down their audiences by setting up for a fantastic film and resulting in something mediocre. Despite the negative views of some audience members, the films released over the summer created an exciting atmosphere every time the lights dimmed.