The Five Hidden Gems of 2018

2018 was packed with quality films and par for the course, there were some that seemingly went unnoticed by general moviegoers. Today, they get their recognition.

In my opinion, 2018 was one of the best years for the Hollywood industry of late. So much good came out all at once and together, we laughed, we cried, we oohed and awed at films that were surprisingly good or expectedly awe-inspiring. It was a year for brilliant, high-concept original films along with the continuation of franchises that took themselves to the next level.

As a side effect of so many great films coming out, general audiences missed out on some real gems. With this list, I'll revisit five films that you should definitely check out if you missed it. For the record, this isn't another version of my oncoming five best films of the year list. It's not a list dedicated to the runners-up of my best films of the year list. This is a list of films that I saw this year, that I liked, and that didn't get their due either critically or financially.

5. Solo: A Star Wars Story

For a while, it seemed like Disney would be cashing in on the "Star Wars" brand forever. After all, "The Force Awakens" literally struck gold, becoming the third film ever to make over two billion dollars. The two "Star Wars" films that followed, "Rogue One" and "The Last Jedi," were box-office hits to a lesser extent, but both still grossed over a billion dollars worldwide. Then came "Solo: A Star Wars Story" and the franchise that produced billion-dollar movies each year, produced a film that failed to make four hundred million. As a result, "Solo" was dubbed the first box office bomb the franchise had seen to date.

Whether this was a result of a lack of interest in the film, the first trailer not debuting until a mere three months before the film's theatrical release, or once-loyal fans boycotting it because of their feelings towards "The Last Jedi," hardly anyone gave "Solo" a chance. Those who didn't missed out on what was, in my opinion, the best "Star Wars" film made under Disney's stewardship.

Sure, there's some mediocre writing and the film's color palette is needlessly dark, making it seem like you're watching this movie on a screen that got dirt on it, but "Solo," to me, felt like the "Star Wars" equivalent to "Ant-Man." It has all the big-budget effects and spectacle, but treats it like an everyday norm. It's grand, but underplayed in a way that feels more like a strength than a weakness. With this being the franchise's tenth installment, we're quite familiar with the texture and design of these futuristic worlds, so the film wisely acts casual. It doesn't have any major reveals, it's not as consequential as an episode or even "Rogue One," but that's part of the film's appeal. Sometimes you're in the mood for a movie that's just a movie, not an entry in a franchise that delivers major story points that will reshape it in any way. The story is simple, not a sprawling narrative. There's a lot to follow, but it all flows together without any complication or confusion. If you're a "Star Wars" fan, you'll appreciate the appearance of easter eggs that closely associate to Han Solo. Director Ron Howard clearly knew the lore because he includes tidbits of information that help cement "Solo" as a part of the franchise. If you aren't a "Star Wars" buff, you'll likely miss it, but you'll still have the great performances to keep you involved in the narrative.

Alden Ehrenreich had a monumental challenge before him: play a younger Han Solo and make it feel authentic to what Harrison Ford did without imitating him. As strange as it may sound, Ehrenreich pulls it off. Instead of imitating what Ford did, his performance is his own. The actor doesn't look like Ford and he acts differently, but it still feels true to who Han Solo is. From his interactions with Chewbacca to his grit and edge, you can see Ehrenreich become the character without thinking about whose footsteps he's following in. The same thing applies to Donald Glover who plays the younger Lando Calrissian. Glover goes about the role in a similar way. Unlike Ehrenreich, Glover actually looks like a younger Billy Dee Williams. With that distinction, he instantly is Lando when he first shows up. The actor's mannerisms capture the essence of his character and even validates my argument for why Lando is one of the greatest Star Wars characters. While the inclusion of him having a romantic relationship with a droid is problematic and doesn't do the character any favors, Glover still pulls off the suave and slick person we all know Lando to be.

I get that it's not an episode installment of the "Star Wars" franchise and will probably be a one-off as a result of it's poor box-office performance, but I still think that "Solo: A Star Wars Story" is worth seeing if you missed it.

Grade: B

4. Christopher Robin

Man, Disney don't make these like they used to. At a time when Disney capitalizes on their brand ownerships to achieve success, 2018 saw the studio invest in live-action projects that weren't just remakes of their animated films or next installments in their Marvel and "Star Wars" franchises.

In March, Ava DuVernay's "A Wrinkle in Time" arrived and went on to become a flop both critically and financially. Their November release, "The Nutcracker and the Four Realms," shared a similar fate. In December, Disney returned to their beloved "Mary Poppins" film and made a sequel that many people are loving.

For me, the studio's August release, "Christopher Robin," is the one Disney live-action film of the year that I really liked. On a side note, it could also be partly responsible for why I disliked "Mary Poppins Returns" because they're both so conceptually similar.

In the past, Disney's been heavily involved in expanding the audience for A. A. Milne's original creations. They published many short storybooks featuring Milne's characters and even expanded the franchise beyond the page to the screen. There, Disney produced many theatrical and direct-to-video films, but following the 2011 "Winnie the Pooh" film, no one had since seen or heard from the inhabitants of the Hundred Acre Wood. That is, until "Christopher Robin."

The premise of a child growing up to be a hardened adult having forgotten his care-free days is certainly nothing new, but through a truly powerful first-act, that premise perfectly fits what a grown-up Christopher Robin would be and Ewan McGregor plays the part well. I went into this movie more excited for Pooh than anyone else. In retrospect, I should've been more excited for Ewan McGregor because he ended up being my favorite part of the movie. I'll admit that the conflict between him and his wife and daughter is unnecessary and could've been cut out if the writing was more attentive. Nevertheless, the script flawlessly builds an arch for the character, ending with the man becoming the Christopher Robin that we all know and love.

It doesn't take much to get me nostalgic. When I hear Jim Cummings's voice as Pooh, I'm immediately transported back to being a young kid and watching all the Winnie-the-Pooh-related media. Cummings's return to Pooh is impeccable. Pooh's just as innocent, wise, and obsessed with honey as ever. This is the first time Pooh and his friends have ever been portrayed in the live-action realm and the effects are more-than decent. Most of the gang are still stuffed animals, but Rabbit and Owl actually become their real-life animal counterparts. They all blend in surprisingly well and it helps that the film's tone is built to accommodate their presence.

With inspired lines, this film will punch you in the gut with emotion. Every time these characters have their own movie, they somehow manage to teach you some lesson that's simple and effective. No matter what it is, it's always a message you haven't heard before. I somewhat understand people who thought this wasn't worth seeing in theater, but if you told me to pick the most wholesome movie of 2018, "Christopher Robin" would be it.

Grade: B

3. Ant-Man and the Wasp

Between "Black Panther" becoming a cultural phenomenon and "Avengers: Infinity War" breaking multiple box office records and securing everyone's interest for "Endgame," little room was left for "Ant-Man and the Wasp" as evidenced from its box office returns. While it made more than the original film did, its worldwide total was far more diminutive when compared with the two aforementioned movies.

What's stranger is when I get into conversations with people about the best films of 2018 and once Marvel Studios becomes a discussion point, the people I talk to sing the praises of "Black Panther" and "Avengers: Infinity War" before briefly mentioning the goodness that was "Ant-Man and the Wasp." It makes sense that the film would be overshadowed by those other two because of their numerous accomplishments, but it felt like the film had been forgotten. As the Marvel Cinematic Universe's third 2018 release, "Ant-Man and the Wasp" is certainly the lesser of the three, but it's still a great film in its own right, retaining the same charm and heart that made the original so impressive.

Following the first film and his brief yet memorable appearance in "Captain America: Civil War," Paul Rudd continues to shine as Scott Lang/Ant-Man. Just like the first, Rudd's still spewing hilarious one-liners that never cease to be humorous while building on the character's personality. Just like the first film, along with staring in it, Paul Rudd helped write the script and that allowed a stronger bond to be made between the actor and his role. Part of the fun of the film is seeing Scott grow, not just in the literal sense. The sequel continues to evolve the character's relationships with his friends and family. You have him building on his new relationship with his once-estranged family and him trying to make things right with Hope and Hank after his screw-up in "Civil War." The character's reliability is never lost. Every step of the way, Scott continues to be the everyman of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

More so than the first film, Evangeline Lilly kicks serious butt as Hope van Dyne, who now wears the mantle of the Wasp in this sequel. That added element to Hope was missed in the first film, but the wait was well worth it. In this film, we truly see the character come into her own as a hero, forming a delightful partnership with Scott instead of becoming his sidekick. As partners, they're equals and would truly be lost without each other. The bonds the two build are not like other MCU romances as these two share a relationship that's not immune to real-world problems. Hope's relationship with her parents comes more into play as the film is about finding her long-lost mother, Janet, played by the great Michelle Pfeiffer. With Michael Douglas as Hank, the three do feel like a real family, albeit a bit disjointed and full of quirks.

The comedy is stronger than the first, which was the funniest MCU film before the sequel's release. With the introduction of another hero who has size-changing abilities, the film expands on it's action potential. In true Marvel fashion, it also enables more opportunities for comedy and the film capitalizes on it. Luis is telling more stories and going on about truth serum. It's always a laugh riot. I've seen the film many times and the jokes have yet to get old. What more could you want? If you missed out on "Ant-Man and the Wasp," rectify that mistake now.

Grade: B+

2. Bumblebee

December was an unusually busy month for Hollywood in 2018. Within a matter of weeks, we got "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse," "Mortal Engines," "Mary Poppins Returns," "Aquaman," and "Bumblebee." All of these films ended up competing with each other for box office dominance, not to mention November leftovers like "Creed II," "The Grinch," and "Ralph Breaks the Internet." With the Holiday Season being as crowded as it was, it was guaranteed that not everyone would get their due.

As of right now, "Bumblebee" has made 309.5 million worldwide on a budget between one hundred and one hundred and thirty-seven million. While one might view this as a modest intake, the fact that this franchise has produced films that, regardless of being critically panned, made between 604.5 million to 1.12 billion dollars is worrisome. Here "Bumblebee" is as the first of the franchise to receive overwhelmingly positive reviews and it's barely crossed the three hundred mark. It's current tally will certainly go up as it hasn't finished its worldwide run, but it's current position is less-than ideal for people who want to see more of this kind of "Transformers" film.

The adjectives "emotional," "enthralling," and "heart-warming" have never been used on a "Transformers" film before. Even as someone who considers the first installment to be a fun ride, "Bumblebee" preforms on a higher level. There's no question as to it being the best of the franchise and it becomes the best because it has characters that you care about, a story that dictates the action scenes rather than vice versa, and purges all the poor elements from the previous installments. The movie fully utilizes its 80s setting. It's plot is similar to that of a popular 80s film, but the impressiveness of it lies within its appeal. What the premise lacks in originality, it makes up for in how well its done. It feels true to the stories that were being told then, yet has a timeless quality to it.

Though there's much to praise on a technical level, it's the characters that lead this picture to good fortune. Many of the previous "Transformers" films have failed to produce characters that weren't shallow, stereotypical, or besmirching to the actors who portrayed them. Hailee Steinfeld's Charlie Watson is the first lead character in this film franchise that I actually built an emotional attachment to. Making this achievement even more grander is that Charlie is a female character. It's no secret that Michael Bay's qualifications for casting leading ladies have been for their looks and nothing else. Thanks to a better script and a new director at the helm, Steinfeld is able be the highlight of film. The story is as attentive to developing her as much as it does Bumblebee. The film uses visual storytelling to its advantage. Steinfeld's character will nonchalantly gesture towards certain objects and you'll instantly know a part her history.

The Transformers themselves look and sound different. Along with being set in the 80s, many of the well-known Transformers are designed close to how they looked in the well-known cartoon show and movie. Many of them appear, albeit briefly, allowing Bumblebee to come into his own. He's not especially complex, nor does he have many lines, but the character's expressions are all you need to make this character fully-realized. The effects artists are what make the character sing. He's given a more distinct design and you're able appreciate the detail the team put into the character. I never thought I'd loved seeing Bumblebee help egg and toilet paper a house, but here we are.

Regardless of whether or not you liked the previous "Transformers" films, this is definitely worth seeing. Congratulations, humanity, we made a great "Transformers" movie.

Grade: B+

1. First Man

When you take one glance at "First Man" and look at its box office total, you may think that it preformed as well as it could. Now, "First Man" didn't do poorly. It made 100.5 million on a budget of 59 million. Critics seemed to love it too. There's just one issue.

Damien Chazelle last made "La La Land," a critically beloved film that made 446.1 million against a budget of 30 million. Even if people didn't like it, "First Man" should've preformed way better, especially within its first two weekends of release, but it didn't. Why? Because of the downright brainless controversies that people come up with.

For those of you don't know, it was reported in late August 2018 that this film's telling of the Moon Landing would not show the planting of the American flag. Once that was revealed, people went wild. They couldn't fathom that a telling of the Moon Landing wouldn't show the planting of the American flag. Pretty soon, it became a huge controversy that plagued the film through its debut. Apparently, people didn't get the memo that this is called "First Man" and is named so because it's based on a book called "First Man: The Life of Neil A. Armstrong." The book is Armstrong's biography, the contents of which are true to his life. I don't know why, but numerous people failed to understand that this movie was more about the man than the landing itself, which is why this works so well.

When I first reviewed this movie, I noted that I hadn't read the James R. Hansen book. Well, for my last assignment in my English class before Winter break, I wrote a seven-paragraph paper on the first Moon Landing. The assignment required me finding multiple sources to base it on and one of the sources that I used was the "First Man" book. I had already seen the movie, so I was able to read the book with the film already in my mind. As I read through the book, I increasingly became enamored with the movie and it felt significantly more powerful than I originally perceived. It made me realize how perfect the film adaptation tells Neil Armstrong's story. If it didn't, I wouldn't have been moved with the inspiring and heart-breaking moments of the film.

Upon the announcement, I questioned if Ryan Gosling was right to play Neil Armstrong. Though his appearance was close to what Armstrong looked like at the time, he just didn't seem right. There was something odd with the way he appeared in the film's trailers. Having seen the film, he's absolutely perfect. He quite convincingly brings to life the stoic attitude that, according Armstrong's biography, the man had most of the time. From the beginning, you see the man is all but aimless. He's experienced a lot of loss and is facing a matter that could end in his death. All of those issues snowballed, shaping a man that's trying to hold on to the things he has left, yet isn't doing a good job going about it. While Claire Foy and the other actors do right by their roles, it's Gosling who truly nails it.

We've seen many films about space exploration and the landing on the moon. Similar to what he did to the Musical genre, Damien Chazelle adds his two cents to this particular library of film. As it just happens, those two cents are not to be underestimated. We all know that there were many risks when mankind set out to land on the moon. We already know the many things that needed to go right, but it's how Chazelle showcases the danger that makes it tense once again. Traditionally, at least in films, when astronauts bravely enter their craft and set out to explore space, there's sweeping music playing over grand establishing shots. This film doesn't do that. This time, there's no music, the camera switches the astronauts' point of view, and all you can hear are the loud noises that emanate from all the machinery. You're in the craft with them when it launches. The only view of the outside are the small windows that showcase the sparks flying from the engines starting up. While you're watching it, you're on edge. To you, that may sound like an exaggeration, but if you watch this for yourself, you will surely feel the same way.

Add on an angelic score by Justin Hurwitz and stunning visuals and "First Man" is the most overlooked film of 2018. Do yourself a favor and see it.

Grade: B+

Conclusion

This has been my list of the five hidden gems of 2018. I welcome your opinion on the subject. Look forward to reading the final entry of my 2018 recap, the five best films of 2018. Thanks for reading, I'm Dallin, your resident Film Fanatic, and I see you again with another editorial.