Top 5 Films of 2023!

As the year concludes, it's only fitting that a group of local cinephiles share their top films of 2023. The past year has seen plenty of ground-breaking projects and franchise spectacles (some more noteworthy than others), which have potentially paved the way for changes within the world of cinema. Therefore, we have taken on the enjoyable (and sometimes controversial) task of narrowing down our top 5 films of this calendar year. So enjoy, feel free to debate, and please don't hate us ;)

5. Fast X

Illustration by Beth Alice

Fast 9, they took things way too far (that’s saying something). Taking a car into space, I mean, come on! That really did it for me. I told myself I would not be watching future Fast instalments. That was until... they announced Jason Momoa would be playing the villain in Fast X. I still recall watching Fast X, smiling and laughing so much whenever Jason Momoa’s character Dante was on the big screen. I can honestly say he has saved the Fast franchise. His performance was so refreshing, especially compared to previous villains, and he was the scene stealer in, well, every scene he was part of. Dante initially came across as this big-built villain who, at the start, was on course to be Dominic Toretto’s next victim in a battle of fisticuffs (as is the norm for Fast). However, that was far from the case. He is the Joker of the Fast franchise, which made it that much better. A brute with brains and jokes! Much to my displeasure, I have to conclude this review, even though I could talk about Jason Momoa and his performance all day long. Fast X is a breath of fresh air in this waning franchise, and seeing the likes of Alan Ritchson have a great part to play in the movie was also a joy to watch. If you’ve not seen Fast X yet, you need to put your foot on the gas pedal and get watching.

Words: Imran Hussain

4. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3

Illustration by Beth Alice

 “Superhero fatigue” has been one of the major talking points in 2023, but director James Gunn and his long-awaited Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 proved that if a film is great, regardless of its genre, audiences will come in droves. The final act of Gunn’s Guardians story is arguably the most emotional of them all, and it’s the emotion that hooks viewers during this last hurrah. The film centres on Rocket and his heart-breaking origins, which the team must explore in order to complete their most personal mission yet. The majority of Marvel films rarely make us fear that our heroes will actually die. In Vol. 3, Gunn understood he had the power as it was the final act, and all bets were off. Therefore, on multiple occasions, we’re stunned and fearing that this might be it for one of our heroes. Not only that but if audiences thought Guardians 2 or Avengers: Endgame were tearjerkers, this story contains plenty of scenes that will have you reaching for the tissues. Whether it’s Drax and Mantis’ final moment or the reality of Rocket’s history with The High Evolutionary, the lump in the throat appears to return frequently. However, ever the malleable franchise, Guardians 3 still provides an abundance of laughs – Dave Bautista’s Drax again steals the show here – and the excellent selection of music continues to enhance Gunn’s epic tale. If there was ever a perfect ending to a near-perfect trilogy, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 may be it.

Words: Humza Hussain

3. Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One

Illustration by Beth Alice

On paper, all the usual trappings of a Mission: Impossible movie are here: The team goes rogue, being hunted by their own organisation as well as the villains, leading to a globe-trotting adventure where they try to locate the latest MacGuffin (here two parts of a key to control a deadly AI program), ticking time bombs, car chases, double-crossing, unmasking, Tom Cruise jumping off high places and, of course, lots of Cruise running. All this, for the seventh time, should feel monotonous, but much like its lead, the franchise is showing no signs of slowing down. Each set piece is increasingly more exciting than the one before, the stunts are truly jaw-dropping, and the climax is exhilarating.

The cast is in fine form, Tom Cruise is as committed as ever, and he’s ably aided by franchise regulars Rebecca Ferguson, Simon Pegg, and Ving Rhames, who by now are totally convincing as Ethan Hunt’s tight-nit spy family, and then there is franchise newcomer Hayley Atwell, who effortlessly fits right in. Special mention must go to Christopher McQuarrie. The first four Mission: Impossible movies each had a different director at the helm, but since the fifth outing, McQuarrie has helmed each one, and it's easy to see why; the writer/director has a great sense of pacing, knows how to create tense and exciting set pieces while never sacrificing character work. All in all, Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One is what going to the cinema is all about. What a fun, engaging, edge-of-the-seat thrill ride! Part two can’t come soon enough.

Words: Nabeel Hussain

2. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

Illustration by Beth Alice

This was my most anticipated movie of the year, and I'm overjoyed to say that it exceeded all my expectations!

The influence of Spider-man: Into the Spider-Verse with its ground-breaking animation can be seen in every major animation release since, and here the sequel manages to take it up a notch by blending various animation techniques and styles to depict different multiverses that create a dynamic and immersive experience like no animated movie before. If the first felt like a comic book come to life, the sequel sometimes feels like an exhilarating art exhibition.

Beyond its stunning visuals, the film continues to tell a relatable and emotionally resonant story. The themes of identity, self-doubt, the struggle to balance personal life with superhero responsibilities, and the complexities of relationships from family and friendship to even co-workers all ground the film in a human experience that transcends its fantastical premise.

As Miles Morales and Gwen Stacy grapple with their own unique challenges and growth arcs, the film has you reflecting on your own journey, making the viewing feel deeply personal. Further, introducing fantastic new characters and expanding the Spider-Verse concept keeps the narrative fresh and exciting, avoiding the potential of multiverse fatigue.

Ultimately, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, with its awe-inspiring animation, relatable themes, and funny and emotionally charged script is every bit as good, if not better, than the original. This movie is an absolute triumph that leaves me eagerly anticipating Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse.

Words: Nabeel Hussain

1. Oppenheimer

Illustration by Beth Alice

Due to people getting caught up with the Barbie and Oppenheimer craze (“Barbenheimer”) – it somehow got lost that Christopher Nolan, with one of the greatest casts ever assembled, was about to deliver arguably his grandest piece of cinema yet... and deliver he does!

The World War II biopic explores the life of J. Robert Oppenheimer (played by Cillian Murphy), who spearheads a team of scientists that develop the first atomic bomb, which forever changes the course of history. At just over 3 hours and no real “action” per se, Oppenheimer, in the hands of any other filmmaker, could have struggled to keep an audience engaged, but with Nolan at the helm, that’s not a concern. Through intelligent shifts from the present and past tense of Oppenheimer’s life, the story never loses its momentum, as we’re methodically taken through Oppenheimer’s journey from dreamer – untouchable scientist – to a man left to live with the burden of creating the downfall of mankind. It’s these intelligently planted and relatable human experiences, alongside captivating visuals like the shift to black and white when Robert Downey Jr.’s Lewis Staruss appears, that allows Nolan’s stories to excel, despite dealing with complex information (modern physics, anyone?), and expertly build to significant moments that have you on a knife-edge.

Alongside an immaculate script and the stunning use of visual imagery and sound, every single actor rises to the occasion, grabbing the audience with performances of great subtly and layers. None more so than Oppenheimer himself, Cillian Murphy, whose facials in the climactic scene leave us not only in awe but with the same sense of realization and dread that Oppenheimer feels. A fitting conclusion to a film that can only be described as a true masterpiece.

Words: Humza Hussain