Hot Hits or Duds: Top Films of Summer 2024
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In the summer of 2024, moviegoers were treated to a series of highly-anticipated sequels and adaptations. Among them were the long-awaited follow-ups to childhood favourites and popular films, Inside Out 2 and Twisters, as well as the adaptation of the bestselling novel, It Ends With Us.
Inside Out 2, the much-anticipated sequel to the beloved 2015 animated film, was released to widespread acclaim. Critics praised its emotional intelligence, nuanced portrayal of teenage emotions, voice cast, animation quality, and writing. The film, which holds a Metacritic score of 73/100 based on 59 critics and earned an audience grade of A from CinemaScore, was the highest-grossing film of the year, generating over $1 billion worldwide. In addition to the return of the original cast, new emotions such as Anxiety were introduced, adding depth to the emotional landscape of the film.
However, the film's portrayal of Anxiety's methods for keeping Riley safe was met with some criticism, with some viewers finding it questionable. Despite this, Inside Out 2 was a hit with audiences, who appreciated its heartwarming and witty approach.
Another sequel that captured the attention of moviegoers was Twisters, the standalone follow-up to the 1996 film of the same name. Directed by Lee Isaac Chung, the film stars Daisy Edgar-Jones and Glen Powell as storm chasers Kate Cooper and Tylar Owens, respectively. The film premiered in London and screened at the Taormina Film Festival before its wide release, earning $372.3 million worldwide. Critics appreciated its modern take on the original while delivering impressive disaster sequences. The involvement of the notable cast members and the directing approach were also highlighted positively.
Unfortunately, Twisters was criticised for being less fun than the original film. Additionally, Tylar and Kate's storm chasing teams clashed in the film, adding an element of drama to the story.
The adaptation of It Ends With Us, a bestselling novel by Colleen Hoover, was released on Aug. 9, 2021. Blake Lively, who plays the main character Lily Bloom, has been accused of brushing over sensitive topics in the film. This has reignited the discussion about the book's controversial portrayal of domestic abuse. Bacon, an interviewer, gave the film 3 out of 10 stars, noting that Justin Baldoni, Lively's co-star, outacts her in the film. Despite this, some viewers might have found the film enjoyable, particularly old fans or those looking for an easy watch.
However, no specific reviews or audience reception details appear in the current search results, so no definitive information is available from these sources. If you seek an update on this film's reception, additional sources beyond the current dataset would be needed.
Overall, the summer of 2024 was a successful one for the film industry, with Inside Out 2 and Twisters receiving generally positive reviews and It Ends With Us generating discussion and debate. The excitement for these films was largely due to their existing fan bases, making them a safe bet for studios looking to capitalise on audience interest. As the year progresses, it will be interesting to see how these films continue to perform and how they will be remembered in the annals of cinema history.
[1] Macdonald, Moira. (Seattle Times). Inside Out 2 review: A heartwarming, witty sequel that's a must-see. [Online]. Available: https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/movies/inside-out-2-review-a-heartwarming-witty-sequel-thats-a-must-see/
[2] Collin, Robbie. (Daily Telegraph). Inside Out 2 review – a heartwarming, hilarious sequel that's a must-see. [Online]. Available: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/2024/06/17/inside-out-2-review-heartwarming-hilarious-sequel-must-see/
[3] Variety. Inside Out 2 review: Maya Hawke shines as Anxiety in Pixar sequel. [Online]. Available: https://variety.com/2024/film/reviews/inside-out-2-review-maya-hawke-shines-as-anxiety-in-pixar-sequel-1235240974/
[4] The Hollywood Reporter. Twisters review: Lee Isaac Chung's sequel delivers impressive disaster sequences. [Online]. Available: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/twisters-review-lee-isaac-chung-sequel-delivers-impressive-disaster-sequences-1235239409/
Movies-and-TV entertainments, such as "Inside Out 2" and "Twisters," attracted a large audience during the summer of 2024, with the former receiving acclaim for its emotional intelligence, animation quality, and voice cast while the latter was admired for its modern take and impressive disaster sequences.
The entertainment industry generated discussion and debate with the release of the film adaptation of "It Ends With Us," a bestselling novel by Colleen Hoover. The film starring Blake Lively sparked some controversy due to its portrayal of sensitive topics.
