2024 has been a rollercoaster for movies, including comedies, romantic, horror, and action films. Fan favorites included “Deadpool and Wolverine”, “It Ends with Us”, “Terrifier 3”, “Gladiator 2”, and “Inside Out 2”. Fans’ emotions have been mixed due to the happiness of continuing sequels to their favorite movies and sadness because their favorite sequels have ended. As it is only November, fans are excited about new movies coming out this December with “Mufasa” and “Sonic 3”. While critics aren’t thrilled with the films that came out in 2024, that hasn’t stopped the audience from creating their own opinions on the movies.
The year’s highest-grossing movie, “Inside Out 2”, generated an unbelievable $1.67 billion in estimated revenue throughout its release. Avid movie-goer Jules Donchez enjoyed “Inside Out 2”, citing how it “…showed adult emotions are normal.” The movie continues where it left off in the first movie, with the main character, Riley. In the sequel, Riley is officially a teenager, experiencing the awkwardness of adolescence. We are met with new characters: Embarrassment, Envy, Ennui, and Anxiety. They all bring new experiences for Riley as she’s experiencing puberty and create an engaging dynamic as Riley navigates the struggles of her teenage years, providing insight into the challenges and triumphs of adolescence. With its heartfelt storytelling and relatable characters, “Inside Out 2” engages audiences of all ages, sparking conversations, emotional intelligence, and the importance of understanding our feelings.
Pennridge student Andrew Horensky recently saw the newest movie, “Gladiator 2”. He and many fans have enjoyed watching the film as they were big fans of the original movie. When asked if any movie deserves an award and in which category, Horensky replied, “Gladiator, action movie.” Horensky also approved the likes of the animated action film “Transformers One”. The film truly changed his perspective on animated movies, and he’s looking forward to seeing more in the same category. Critics and audiences disapproved of “Joker: Folie à Deux”, as they didn’t realize it was a musical film. This didn’t stop Horensky from expressing his belief that the actor of Joker, Joaquin Phoenix, had the best performance of 2024. Unlike critics, Horensky enjoyed the movies in 2024 and can’t wait for what the future brings.
On December 20, 2024, Sonic and his friends, Tails and Knuckles, will speed into theatres for the third time. Excitement for the movie has been increasing since the first trailer was released by Paramount Pictures on August 27, 2024, which revealed a new dangerous threat to Team Sonic named Shadow the Hedgehog, voiced by Keanu Reeves. As of November 25, 2024, a second trailer was released, which focused on the role Jim Carrey will play as both Dr. Robotnik and Gerald Robotnik in the story. Fans enjoyed the first and second movies and are excited to see the action-packed cinematic universe expand even further in what appears to be a more serious story, as the movie is rated PG-13, unlike its predecessors, which were only PG.
The success of films like “Inside Out 2” has not just set box office records but also connected heavily with its viewers, illustrating the ups and downs of puberty and adolescence. Meanwhile, sequels such as “Gladiator 2” and the late-arriving “Sonic 3” have created excitement among fans who enjoy its previous stories and characters. Despite the critical backlash, enthusiasm from fans such as Donchez and Horensky has highlighted the separation between mainstream reviews and viewer preferences. Fans are excited about what 2025 will bring with its film industry and can’t wait for more adventures and emotional experiences that resonate with their lives.
