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1990s - Top 10 Summer Blockbusters |
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| Written by Trent Daniel | ||||||
| Tuesday, 16 June 2009 | ||||||
 Before giving my Top 10 Summer Blockbusters, I want to first re-iterate my personal definition of a blockbuster: Obviously, it must be released in the summer season, which I narrowed down to between Memorial Day Weekend and Labor Day. It must be a big budget film, either full of special effects, big names or up and coming stars, or both. The film is preferably rated G to PG-13 and designed to get the kids and teen audience, though in a few cases I let an R rated one slip in. My third part of the definition was the primary reason I ruled out one of the key movies of the decade, Saving Private Ryan (July 1998). Though it meets the first 2 parts of my definition, it obviously did not meet the third (what parent would let their teen see Saving Private Ryan on a warm July day and then take them out for an Icee afterward? It doesn’t fit.) In making my list for the 1990s, I decided that, overall, it was a weaker decade for blockbusters than was the 2000s-and (as you will see in my next list) nowhere near the level of quality of films found in the 1980s, when some true classics were made. Furthermore, there was a drought of quality summer blockbusters from 1995 to 2000. The drought could have been helped immeasurably if Titanic had been released as scheduled (it was scheduled for a June 1997 release, but was moved back to December of that year).  1) Terminator 2 (July 1991)At the time, Terminator 2 was the most expensive movie ever made and was the first sign that James Cameron was among the elite list of directors who could craft a quality film with a major budget. Not only is it still one of the best sci-fi action pictures ever, as well as Arnold’s best film, but it is also somewhat of a feminist landmark in film history. Linda Hamilton’s Sara Connor followed in the formidable footsteps of Sigourney Waver’s Ripley from the Alien series (another Cameron work, btw) and proved to be just as tough and fierce a warrior as any man. After her, women were no longer relegated to being just arm candy or damsels in distress in action films.  2) The Fugitive (August 1993)This film, along with The Untouchables, is arguably the best film that originated as a TV series. It also is one of the few blockbusters to earn and deserve a Best Picture nomination. It works as great drama while delivering the action (including a legendary waterfall dive and train crash) and offers terrific performances by Harrison Ford and Tommy Lee Jones (in his Oscar winning supporting role).  3) The Lion King (June 1994)The Lion King might go down in history as the last great fully drawn animated feature by Disney (Toy Story would debut a few years later and change animation forever). It has all the traits of the early Disney classics such a Pinocchio, Snow White and Bambi: a great villain, some truly scary and gut wrenching moments mixed with moments of high comedy, plus memorable songs. Most important, like all the great Disney films, it also teaches some valuable life lessons while telling an entertaining story.  4) Forrest Gump (July 1994)Though it perhaps goes for the heart stings a little too aggressively at times (particularly near the end) and what it decides is culturally relevant for Gump to encounter is sometimes questionable (the SHIT HAPPENS bumper sticker?), Forrest Gump is still a highly entertaining and often poignant yarn. The special effects, which placed Gump in the presence of landmark figures like George Wallace, JFK and John Lennon, were revolutionary at the time. And of course, Tom Hanks is quite moving as Gump (supported by strong work by Sally Field and Gary Sinise).  5) Jurassic Park (June 1993)The mega-blockbuster for 4 years pre-Titanic is a fun roller coaster ride of a movie, filled with state of the art special effects, along with those extra special touches that Spielberg has a gift for adding in his best films (my personal favorite: the “Objects in Mirror Are Closer Than They Appear” gag). The main reason I don’t have it rated higher is that it lacks just a bit of the heart found in Spielberg’s masterpieces, such as ET, Close Encounters, or the film he made following Jurassic Park, Schindler’s List.  6) There’s Something About Mary (July 1998)Yes, this film is very raunchy and deserved its R rating, but 18 year olds watch movies in the summer, too. As those who have read some of my other lists know, I consider the hair gel scene one of the funniest movie moments of all time. However, this movie is hysterical from start to finish, with one unashamedly tasteless and crude joke following another. It’s one of the few films that deserves to be called laugh out loud funny.  7) In the Line of Fire (July 1993)Like The Lion King, this film was a swan song of sorts, as it’s perhaps the last great Clint Eastwood action film. I remember how much the audience I saw this with truly got into the contest of wits and wills between its sympathetic hero (Eastwood as a senior secret service agent haunted by his inability to protect JFK in Dallas) and a detestable villain (a wonderfully slimy and demented John Malkovich).  8) Apollo 13 (June 1995)One of the few blockbusters based on a true story. It is an absorbing reenactment of how the Apollo 13 space crew narrowly avoided a tragedy, thanks to the courage of the crew and the determination of mission control. It also combines strong special effects with fine acting from a solid cast (Tom Hanks, Kevin Bacon, Bill Paxton, Gary Sinise, Ed Harris and Kathleen Quinlan).  9) Total Recall (June 1990)Paul Verhoeven followed the brutal but truly innovate Robocop with this sci-fi actioner, one of Arnold’s better films. Schwarzenegger plays a man who has his memory erased so that he can more easily infiltrate a remote mining colony on Mars, not knowing the sinister full extent of his mission. One of the rougher summer films to be sure, filled with great yet disturbing special effects (in particular the effect the Mars atmosphere has on anyone who ventures outside without a mask).  10) Men in Black (July 1997)Though some of the jokes are groan worthy, Men in Black is still a lot of fun. It’s in many ways the 1990s version of Ghostbusters, as it combines great special effects with many hilarious moments (and, also like Ghostbusters unfortunately, it is followed by a rather lame sequel). It also, following Independence Day, solidified Will Smith as the new top leading man for blockbusters.
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