From ‘Avatar’ To ‘Watchmen,’ Our Top Nine Movie Moments Of 2009
From action to science fiction to animation, we discuss our favorite frames of celluloid from the past year.
Even as moviegoers look ahead towards 2010, it cannot be denied that 2009 was a banner year for blockbuster cinema. Hot off the heels of the domestic box office’s single most lucrative weekend ever, there is no question that both Hollywood and the indie scene alike had their best game-faces on this year, resulting in a science-fiction renaissance through the likes of “District 9” as well as more intimate (though no less dangerous) affairs as seen in “The Hurt Locker.”
“Avatar”
Director James Cameron’s return to feature filmmaking wasn’t always an easy road, thanks to a seemingly insurmountable amount of pre-release hype, but the first time injured Marine Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) linked up to his artificial avatar proved the movie’s skeptics wrong.
“District 9”
Who knew that rookie filmmaker Neill Blomkamp could create such a grandiose science-fiction adventure on such a shoestring budget? Thankfully producer Peter Jackson had the foresight to realize the director’s capabilities, which were on full display during the film’s climactic battle sequence of Wikus Van De Merwe (Sharlto Copley) rampaging against his fellow man within the confines of a massive robotic battle suit.
“Star Trek”
Space isn’t just the final frontier; it’s also the setting for one of the single most illustrious action sequences of 2009. Director J.J. Abrams not only reinvented the wheel with his reimagining of the “Star Trek” franchise, he also offered glorious space battles such as the one seen at the movie’s outset.
“Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen”
Even if critics weren’t kind towards Michael Bay’s second “Transformers” installment, there’s no denying that Optimus Prime’s final battle is one of the finest fight sequences of the year.
“Watchmen”
Zack Snyder’s painstaking attention to the details of Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons’ classic graphic novel is on full display throughout “Watchmen,” but the director’s signature style is never far behind.
I have to admit that Transformers 2 wasn’t so bad. Megan Fox sucked but the fight scenes were awesome.
I also loved Watchmen. Have you seen all the movies on this list? Which were your faves and why?
