2023 Ranked: Movies

 Welcome to my 2023 Ranked list for Movies! 

Rules for my rankings are simple, the page contains my ranking from worst to best of all the movies I've experienced over the course of the past year. 

Please be aware these rankings are purely subjective and are based on my own personal opinion.

17. Insidious: The Red Door

Insidious has already been a franchise which has failed to justify why it is a franchise. Five years after the fourth entry and Insidious: The Red Door continues to exemplify that issue. Despite being directed by Patrick Wilson and bringing back a lot of the original cast from the first two films, this movie does nothing new or interesting and only succeeds in rehashing a lot of the plot beats with little to no variation. It meanders about from start to finish relying on the usual cheap jump scares and the promised heart behind it is surface level at best. 

16. M3GAN

MEGAN is a film in which it's only core quality is in it's premise alone but it feels like the trailers did a far better job at presenting that than the actual film. The film in itself feels so disjointed in it's writing and structure, so much so that it really feels like very little consideration was given to the script before it was greenlit and taken into production. It's such a shame too because I did have hope this would turn out well  but in the end it just comes off as lifeless as an actual doll.

15. The Exorcist: Believer

It's a shame Danny McBride and the rest of the Rough House Pictures gang didn't quit while they were ahead when it came to bringing back classic horror franchises.  Like Halloween Kills and Halloween Ends, The Exorcist: Believe fails in being a commendable watching experience due to it's inability to tell a cohesive narrative. It's a film which has a clear identity crisis in wanting to tell a new story but coming to a complete stop to try and pay homage it's far superior predecessor. 

14. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania

Despite being one of my more favorable Marvel super heroes, I can't pretend the third Ant-Man film isn't the weakest entry in the series thus far. It just doesn't really utilize it's potential as well as it should. It's filled with plot beats that feel notably undercooked that fizzle out with no sense of satisfaction. That's not to say it's a terrible film though as Jonathan Majors puts in one hell of a performance as Kang the Conqueror and the visual end of this film feels filled to the brim with creative ideas. 

13. Matilda the Musical

While I don't rate all of the musical numbers in this film, I cannot dismiss the overall quality behind Matilda the Musical. It's a fantastic adaption of both the written novel and the stage production which brings a much appreciated charm for both old and new audiences to appreciate. It's production and casting stand out as the films must stellar elements with each character being wonderfully inhabited by their actors and the set design and choreography standing out wonderfully.

12. The Super Mario Bros. Movie

The Super Mario. Bros Movie does a superb job on delivering on the core concept of a traditional movie reflecting the world and legacy behind the Italian plumber from Brooklyn. While it's narrative does play it a bit too safe at times, especially when it comes to fleshing out the characters; I can't argue with much else in regards to the films overall quality. Illumination have realized the world of the video game with complete ease and there's so much tucked away in this film for die hard fans and casual viewers to appreciate alike. 

11. Talk to Me 

To say the people behind Talk To Me were once wild and silly YouTube pranksters, you would be hard pressed to find any of that resemblance in this movie. Filled with darkly personal subject matter, Talk To Me is a supernatural film which ticks all the right boxes. It's slow and methodical burn combined with it's unique Australian setting gives the movie a really unique style to set itself apart from other supernatural horror films.

10. Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves

Despite having no relationship to the world of Dungeons and Dragons prior to watching it, Honor Among Thieves feels like an excellent snapshot into the world which both casual and hardcore fans can appreciate. It's colorful cast of characters inhabit the tabletop roles respectively and it's story is equal parts adventurous and humorous. It does a lot of good in a modest runtime too, it's a real shame this one didn't do better at the box office as it truly deserved it.

9. Scream VI

Radio Silence are proving to be a very positive choice to continue producing films in the Scream franchise. The 6th installment in the series does a great job in further defining the roles of the new set of leads as Ghostface subjects them to their new reign of terror in the streets of New York city with a collection of creative kills and scares. Even if the legacy elements of the movie doesn't fit as coherently this time around, it doesn't take anything away from all the other strengths the film shows off throughout the entirety of it's runtime.

8. Avatar: The Way of Water

Avatar: The Way of Water does a fantastic job on capitalizing on the wonderous potential behind the world of Pandora. James Cameron delivers a near perfect execution of his creative vision which seeks to further define the world and it's characters. While it's narrative isn't perfect due to a few plot concessions, I find it's a really novel idea for the most part to focus more on Sully's children this time around. What also makes this film worth seeing is the computer generated imagery. It's definitely an experience  worth seeing on the big screen.

7. Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny

Despite showing his age very clearly, Harrison Ford manages to deliver a far better Indiana Jones adventure compared to his previous film. Dial of Destiny ticks off all the quintessential requirements to make a roaring adventure across world and time with a surprisingly strong supporting performance from Phoebe Waller-Bridge. It's a action segments stick out particularly, with a fast pace and strong choreography

6. Elemental

One thing I'm always happy to see PIXAR do is approach new concepts. The idea behind Elemental is about focusing on what connects us on a beautifully fundamental level despite how large our differences might be. The movie's narrative while tame in stakes puts the core focus on defining the relationship between it's central characters through a gorgeously realized visual style.  It's a film which surprisingly resonated with me in a lot of ways I wasn't really expecting and I'm happy it is getting the appreciation it deserves.

5. Godzilla: Minus One

Godzilla: Minus One feels like a great retreat back to the traditional reputation of Godzilla. Utilizing a strong cast of characters with an emotional core, it makes the imposing threat of Godzilla in this post-WW2 setting even more notable. While it's CGI is limited in scope, the film still manages to deliver some really impressive set pieces visually whenever the big guy is on the screen

4. Puss in Boots: The Last Wish

Puss in Boots: The Last Wish showcases Dreamworks Animation are not out for the count when it comes to delivering unique animated experiences. In a much more competitive landscape they delivered a film which is equal parts funny, charming and captivating through it's animation and writing. This magical adventure puts Puss in a far more grounded situation which helps him explore new territory along with a solid cast of fairy tale and nursery rhyme characters. 

3. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3

Guardians of the Galaxy has always been a showcase of how humor and heart can entangle together to deliver a truly memorable experience. What James Gunn does with the third installment puts so much focus on the emotional core of these beloved characters, as it seeks to conclude each of their personal arcs in a satisfying way. The weight of this film still bares on me even now, it's brutally harrowing in moments but Gunn knows how to balance that sadness with levity and heart throughout the course of this films runtime. If this truly is the last ride for this group of Guardians, then I honestly can think of no better narrative to go out on. This truly is a phenomenal bit of film and easily one of the best Marvel films since Endgame.

2. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

If 2018's Into the Spider-Verse was essentially a starter to a five star meal, then 2023's Across the Spider-Verse feels like one of the many main course dishes. This film blew away every initial expectation I had going in. It succeeds in anchoring what is a very fluid and packed film around Miles Morales in a way that develops him as one of the more important Spider-Men out there. Accompanying the film strong narrative is a visual style which pushes the boundaries of what animation is capable of.  Along with a wide cast of charact3rs and humor, this film delivers everything any Spider-Man fan could ever hope for.

1. Oppenheimer

Christopher Nolan has exceeded himself once again in delivering a harrowingly captivating film experience with Oppenheimer. What this film does in outlining the tragic career of the theoretical physicist and his contributions towards the nuclear bomb is nothing short of outstanding. Supported by one of the biggest list of big name actors I've seen in a film, this epic biopic utilizes every creative facet behind it's writing, acting and editing to present a tragically real warning to the world of a threat we may never truly be free of. This isn't just a film, it's an experience that needs to be had and endured with all it's weight and gravity appreciated.