2009: The Year Of The Sequel
19 December 2009
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The top ten highest grossing films of the year are a pretty action packed mix, but if we had to define 2009 in one word we could probably call it the year of the sequel. With some fantastic offerings to please the most ardent filmgoers, the biggest blockbusters delivered on action, special effects, jaw-dropping drama and laugh out loud moments. Here we take a look back at what made these box-office hits so great...
1. 'Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince' ($934,851,079 worldwide)
Following on from the success of the previous 'Harry Potter' movies, the sixth in the series had to be full of the usual tricks and treats to please the most die-hard of wizarding fans. Indeed, the 'Half-Blood Prince' was packed with enough cockroach clusters and liquorice wands to satisfy any Potter fanatic, but it was perhaps the everyday scenes between Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson) which set it apart from the previous films. The Hogwarts students have suddenly grown up; they're flirting amongst each other and feel heartbreak for the first time. In many ways the newest 'Harry Potter' film is the darkest to date, yet with this other element added to it, it's not hard to see how the movie received such critical acclaim and instant commercial success. A family film to get the entire household into the cinema, a much deserved winner for the top spot.
2. 'Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs' ($883,718,521 worldwide)
The third installment of the 'Ice Age' series is arguably a surprise winner. Like the previous 'Ice Age' films, the movie opens with the sabre-toothed squirrel Scrat, who does everything he can to retrieve his precious acorn. This time though, he falls in love with his female counterpart Scratte who he saves from falling to her death. Featuring the voices of Ray Romano, Queen Latifah, Seann William Scott, and Simon Pegg, this was the perfect 3-D animated film to take the kids to on a Sunday afternoon. Despite mixed reviews by critics, it seems moviemakers knew what they were doing because children across the country fell in love with it. With just the right amount of silly humour, and a pair of 3-D glasses thrown in as well, what wasn't there to like?
3. 'Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen' ($834,969,807 worldwide)
Clocking in at nearly two-and-a-half hours, 'Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen' hit cinemas with its impressive display of digital effects for a sci-fi blockbuster which was bigger, faster and louder than the previous film. Two years on from the original, 'Revenge of the Fallen' even occasionally surpassed the last. It was arguably at its best in the early scenes showing Sam (Shia LaBeouf) trying to balance college life with his hot girlfriend Mikaela (Megan Fox) at the same time as carrying a secret that makes him key to evil robot The Fallen's plan to wipe out the world. At times, director Michael Bay's fondness for blowing stuff up threatened to overwhelm, but it seems that didn't matter to the audience who were hooked. Although the movie received mixed and even negative reviews from film critics it was a smashing box office success.
4. '2012' - ($711,400,000 worldwide)
'2012' was a CGI-disaster fest like no other. The blockbuster starring John Cusack and Thandie Newton was loosely based on the Mayan calendar and the phenomenon that cataclysmic events will unfold in the year 2012. The movie centred around an ensemble cast of characters as they narrowly escaped multiple catastrophes. Although the plot was little more than a framing device, there were moments, sights and sounds which have never been seen before on the big screen, and anyway, who goes to a movie like this for the storyline? '2012' is unashamedly dramatic with scenes of staggering complexity, immaculate detail and breathtaking scale.
one crazy night and road trip
5. 'Up' - ($683,004,164 worldwide)
You might not think a film about a grumpy old man and a house that flies would make the number five spot in the highest grossing films of 2009, but 'Up' was a comedy adventure which offered fun, laugher, and sorrow all-in-one. As Pixar's tenth feature film and the studio's first to be presented in Disney Digital 3-D, the story centred around the elderly Mr. Fredrickson and his unwitting travel companion, boy scout Russell, who fly to South America in a floating house suspended from helium balloons. That's not really what made the film so popular though, it's the message of the film - that the real adventure of life is the relationship we have with other people - which led to its worldwide success. Fantastic writing, and a plot which both children and parents can empathise with, 'Up' delivered a very special gift to its audiences, that we should all appreciate what we have.
6. 'The Twilight Saga: New Moon' - ($628,861,019 worldwide)
Ever since the hugely successful 'Twilight' film was released last year 'New Moon' became one of the most hotly anticipated films of the year. In the sequel, we saw vampire Edward (Robert Pattinson) dump his human girlfriend Bella (Kristen Stewart) because he loves her too much and can't bear to hurt her, a storyline which is a perfect recipe for heartfelt angst. Throw in a few lingering looks, whispered words and naked flesh in the form of a buffed up werewolf (Taylor Lautner), and you're onto a winner. Girls across the country queued up in their thousands to catch a glimpse of the heartthrobs, so it's no surprise this one grossed huge box office sales.
7. 'Angels and Demons' - ($485,930,816 worldwide)
'Angels and Demons', the sequel to the disappointing but phenomenally successful 'Da Vinci Code' was much more fun than its forbearer. The film adaptation of Dan Brown's novel of the same name saw Tom Hanks reprise his lead role as Robert Langdon, and it's fair to say he definitely picked up the pace considerably. 'Angels and Demons' gripped us in just the right places as we watched symbolist Langdon decipher his way into the shadowy underworld of the Illuminati and discover an unholy plot to murder four cardinals using antimatter. The action kept coming for the best part of 139 minutes and the storyline was simplified, making it a crowd pleaser. The sheer success of Brown's bestseller was sure to create a massive global hit.
8. 'The Hangover' - ($485,930,816 worldwide)
On paper you might think 'The Hangover' followed along pretty much the same lines of the "one crazy night" and "road trip" type comedy templates, but in fact, this movie offered so much more. Starring Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis, Justin Bartha and Heather Graham, the plot followed four friends who travel to Las Vegas for a bachelor party, only to wake up the next morning not remembering a thing and missing the groom, whose wedding is scheduled for the next day. The chemistry between the cast is top notch and when you're throwing in a cameo role from Mike Tyson and a tiger, a random baby, a stolen police cruiser and some naked Chinese gangsters, anyone who isn't stitches at seeing this film is probably a very miserable person. Released to critical praise and box office success, 'The Hangover' was the most perfect guy comedy of the year.
9. 'Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian' - ($412,685,061 - worldwide)
The sequel to the 2006 adventure comedy film 'Night at the Museum' was the perfect family popcorn extravaganza. With stars such as Ben Stiller, Amy Adams, Owen Wilson, Steve Coogan, Ricky Gervais, and Robin Williams at the helm, you know you're in for a good time. The second movie sees Ben Stiller's character, Larry Daley, head to the Smithsonian in Washington D.C. to rescue his waxworks pals from being stored away in crates. It also welcomed newcomers as Hank Azaria as an Egyptian ruler bent on evil and Amy Adams as an Amelia Earhart aviatrix bent on being relentlessly, mercilessly perky. Some critics called it bland and others suggested that adults who saw this movie unaccompanied by a child might need therapy... but that's not the point. If you're looking for a warm and fuzzy family film, 'Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian' is probably just what you need.
10. 'Star Trek' - ($385,459,120 - worldwide)
'Star Trek' burst back onto the small screen with a vengeance when it was released in May. The film follows James T. Kirk (Chris Pine) and Spock (Zachary Quinto) before they unite aboard the USS Enterprise to combat Nero (Eric Bana), a Romulan from their future who threatens the United Federation of Planets. It might sound pretty complicated, but that was the beauty of the film, even those with a total phobia of pointy ears and warp speed were left converted. The picture moved at such a terrific pace that the audience were left with a very satisfying tale of good vs. evil. With just enough references to the original, superb acting and stunning visual effects, 'Star Trek' made a welcome return to the big screen.
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