Summer Movie Magic

There are few things in this world that give me more joy than going to the movies, it is both a beloved pastime and an eternal aspect of my identity. I am a dreamer with starry eyes forever affixed to the big screen. Favorable weather signals the start of that magical season of popcorn blockbusters, larger-than-life spectacles of cinematic grandeur. Ladies and gentlemen, we have once again reached the time of summer movies.

Mann's Chinese Theatre, May 25, 1977

In May of 1977 a film very close to my heart hit theaters, a monumental release known boldly as Star Wars. In my opinion, few movies better sum up the summertime film phenomenon. This saga a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away dazzled audiences; it took them to new worlds and new heights of imagination. The summer movie spirit truly lies within the transportive experience, the journey of the moviegoer. In a large dark air-conditioned room we can be whisked off to new, exciting places without ever having to leave our seat.

The word that most vividly comes to mind with this feeling is wonder, pure childlike wonder. Whether it’s superheroes battling evil robots, chases across post-apocalyptic wastelands or adventures 65 million years in the making, we cannot help but be mesmerized by what is on screen. There is something indescribably magical about the films that suspend our sense of disbelief, that take us along for the ride. I live for those unforgettable movie moments that make us shout in utter jubilation, “That was totally wicked!"

The Incredibles (2004) 

The flicks of the summer months capture elements of bravery, humor, peril and adventure. The best films of this nature effectively balance all of these aspects creating a well paced and entertaining storyline. A great example of this flow is last summer’s box-office hit Guardians of the Galaxy; it combines impressive action and visuals with hilarious lines and unforgettable characters. This movie is also particularly unique because of it’s memorable soundtrack, who would have imagined 70’s pop songs could work so well in a high-flying space adventure. The most entertaining summer films separate themselves from the pack while still maintaining the same energy that moviegoers love. 

With new leaps in technology and imaginative minds at work, I believe the future of summer movies is bright. As time goes on these films will continue to grow and evolve. Personally, I would like for there to be more inclusion of disabled, LGBT and racially diverse characters. I also hope to see more movies with genuinely interesting female characters, such as Charlize Theron’s Furiosa from the recent Mad Max: Fury Road. Everyone deserves to feel seen. 

Summer blockbusters may not always be oscar winners or major contributions to the art of film-making but they certainly have a great deal of value in their own regard. They are more than just CGI and explosions, while still awesome at times, they are about the feeling of boundless excitement. These movies give us an escape from the mundane, the average. At the same time, they can also give us glimpses at ourselves and world around us. Each story, no matter how out-there, contains glimmers of the truth.