When a huge plate of comic book films is being offered in 2019, is it possible to make a list of movies worth seeing without mentioning a comic book (especially Marvel or DC) title? That will be a separate article but within this category, M. Night Shyamalan’s Glass deserves special mention. It’s certainly comic-book inspired. Instead, it’s set in the reality only this auteur can imagine.
Works from Asia is just as important! Not on the list, but believed to release sometime this new year is a sequel to The Mermaid (2016). This runaway hit and director Stephen Chow‘s perchance for comedy has me waiting in bated breath for an American-side release. Chinese-made films rarely get noticed, and when making my list, I had Warriors of the Future as a movie of interest.
Anime-wise, Mirai no Mirai (未来のミライ) will get wider distribution in this new year. It released during winter of last year with limited screenings. I saw a clip in the promo reel for the Victoria Film Festival 2019, and am fairly sure this will be screened locally. I will be looking forward to watching this 76th annual Golden Globe Award-nominated film.
Listed in chronological order are:
Godzilla: The Planet Eater
January 9
The final part of Toho’s animated trilogy gets its worldwide release on Netflix! While this take takes on shades of Hideaki Anno‘s Evangelion, this concept should be of no surprise when considering this creator directed the last live-action work, Shin Gojira in 2016.
Kaiju fans are in for twice the fun this year, since King Ghidorah is the villain. I’m sure the planning was coincidental since one side of the Pacific was not in constant communication with the other for plans for big G. Not even a three-headed monster can choose sides for which is best.
Alita: Battle Angel
Feb 1
However one wishes to address the title, I’m certain the arrangement of the words was intentional to distinguish the live-action work from the translated manga. I’m looking forward to this adaptation for the fact it extends the premise from the original video animation from its two-episode 30min format into a full-length film! I’m not expecting much beyond the fact chapters “Rusty Angel” and “Tears Sign” are key to the film. The original work titled Gunnm goes beyond what this work directed by Robert Rodriguez and spans 23 books (original release) or its six-volume hardcover special edition.
Every movie that may trigger a franchise opportunity needs its origin film, and the casting of Christoph Waltz is perfect for Ido, the inventor who finds Alita.
I still feel James Cameron (producer) tested the waters with a television show, Dark Angel, starring Jessica Alba, I knew digital effects were not at the level as it is now to realize robotics. The story was changed to involve eugenics instead.
How to Train Your Dragon 3
February 22
To see this series end brings immediate tears to my eye. Since the start nine years ago, the heart of the saga is in how the relationship between Hiccup and Toothless has developed. They are brothers than man and his pet. They complement each other. When love is in the air, part of this film’s “conflict” will test them. A traditional villain is required, and to see the last of the Nightfury go is certainly worrisome.
Hiccup will no doubt marry Astrid. This fact is certain since no King can go without a Queen. In the trailers, Toothless meets a female of his kind and the courtship ritual begins. The threat takes some inspiration from Cressida Cowell‘s books and eventually, dragon-kind will have to spirit themselves away from the mortal world if they are to survive. Their legacy is important, and just how this series wraps up depends on where the upcoming video game DreamWorks Dragons: Dawn of New Riders (various platforms) fits in on the narrative.
Missing Link
April 12
Studio Laika can do no wrong with their films. The stories put together is wholesome family fun. They are enduring and make the fantasy come alive. This upcoming work sees Sir Lionel Frost (voiced by Hugh Jackman) venture deep into the Pacific Northwest to prove the existence of a legendary creature—Mr. Link (Zach Galifianakis). At the same time, the plot sees him looking to gain acceptance by his peers; tough to do when he’s out chasing after the paranormal than legends. I get the feeling this work will get compared to Josh Gates‘ Expedition Unknown.
When considering legendary comedian Stephen Fry has a role, I’m intrigued!
Ad Astra
May 24, 2019
With Donald Sutherland, Tommy Lee Jones and Loren Dean reuniting to appear in this science fiction work, hopefully, their performances will not outshine Brad Pitt‘s. He plays Roy McBride, a lad without a father. The elder is an astronaut who rocketed up to the planet Neptune 20 years ago to search for alien life. The details are scant, and early comparisons have been made to Chris Nolan‘s Interstellar, perhaps also spoiling the ending. I still want to see this movie nonetheless and hope it does not get too existential.
Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019)
May 31
Legendary Pictures has a couple of years left in their contract with Toho to show why Godzilla is king. This monster mash-up will see Rodan, Mothra and King Ghidorah clash. Just who is siding with whom is uncertain, and I suggested a possible fifth monster in a previous article may enter the scene. Everyone knows this fight will somehow lead into the ultimate showdown between the titans. This version of everyone’s favourite radioactive monster from Japan will meet the monster hiding in the deepest jungles of the Americas, King Kong.
August 9
Guillermo del Toro never fails to co-write or adapt a work that I have yet to have no interest in. This talent is behind the adaptation of Alvin Schwartz‘s trilogy of books and working with Dan & Kevin Hageman (LEGO Ninjago, Trollhunters) to create a live-action work which will be a change of pace for the brothers. I have faith they will create an entertaining work which will play with del Toro’s macabre sensibilities.
The announcement made me revisit the original works. They are separate tales and to tie them together will be a feat. The synopsis describes a team of teens investigating a series of murders. They must face their fears (from the books, no doubt) to save their town. While this plot sounds like Scooby Doo, Mystery Incorporated Inc., I’m certain no pets will be involved.
At the same time, this cinematic take has to take some inspiration from Stephen Gammell‘s artwork which defined the books. Without it, a piece of the appeal for this adaptation will be missing.
No Trailer Available at time of writing
ZombieLand Too
October 11
Ten years is a long time for a sequel to happen, but if the idea is not there, the screenplay will not be written. I love zombie comedies and feel there is not enough out there. The most recent addition is Anna and the Apocalypse and to be original is tough. A Little Bit Zombie holds a special place in my sub-list of must-watch movies of this sub-genre.
To get the original cast together is tough, especially when considering their star meter has been on the rise, and with no details offered, other than a release date, I will be there opening night!
No Trailer Available at time of writing
Jumanji 2
\December 13
The reboot of this franchise turned out to be a hit, and with Dwayne “The Rock Johnson” at the helm and returning cast Kevin Hart, Jack Black, and Karen Gillan, their story can only get weirder. No plot details are known. I imagine a structure similar to the cinematic version of Chronicles of Narnia. To travel back and forth allows the team to save other trapped individuals in the world of Jumanji.
No Trailer Available at time of writing
Masters of the Universe
December 18
Yes, I remember the lamented 80’s work starring Dolph Lundgren and I loved the animation; it helped teach kids good values to live by. The problem was more so with the script than the characters. Adam and Aaron Nee, who made a well-received indie, Band of Robbers, are in charge. While not a lot of information is revealed for this story, some fans may be up in arms over one critical change reported by Bloody Disgusting (click to read, if you want to hear spoilers).
Plenty of resource material is available from Dark Horse Comics about the official canon. Whether or not this work will be part of it remains to be seen, but to imagine this film with current effects technology will certainly overshadow the dated film. I’m hopeful for a better look at the mysteries behind Castle Grayskull.
No Trailer Available at time of writing