As Hollywood embarks on their new movie formula – universe-building – we look forward to a slew of films that will expand the worlds you already know whether they be superhero, alien-horror or giant monster slugfests.
Chinese New Year also brings with it a new local comedy, as four former jailbirds try to fit in society and escape their gangster past.
SUPERHERO
Wonder Woman (1 June 2017)
During World War I, an American pilot (Chris Pine) crashes on the idyllic island of Themyscira, land of the warrior Amazons, bringing word of the global conflict raging beyond their shores. Convinced she can stop the fight, Princess Diana (Gal Gadot) dons the mantle of Wonder Woman and steps out to face her destiny.
SCI FI
Star Wars VIII (14 Dec 2017)
Picking up from Rey’s adventures in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, she continues her quest with Finn, Poe and Luke Skywalker. This will also be Carrie Fisher’s last appearance in the franchise.
Alien: Covenant (3 August 2017)
The colony ship Covenant crosses the galaxy to a distant planet which at first seems an idyllic new world. That is until the crew find the android survivor (Michael Fassbender) of the lost expedition ship Prometheus who arrived before them, and then they engage in a desperate life-or-death struggle with a new alien menace.
HORROR
It (September 2017)
Young children are vanishing in the town of Derry, and being found mutilated and dead. Seven kids bound together by their terrifying experiences of the spectral clown Pennywise team up to oppose him. 27 years later, the killings begin anew, and the group must reunite from their separate lives to rediscover what had happened that summer, end the deadly rampage, and restore the bonds they had forgotten.
ACTION
Kong: Skull Island (March 9 2017)
Captain James Conrad (Tom Hiddleston) travels to an uncharted island on the trail of his brother who was seeking the potion to cure all illnesses. Unbeknownst to him, the prehistoric Eden he enters is the home of Kong, King of the Apes, and other dangerous creatures, forcing his group to fight to survive and escape.
COMEDY
Take 2 (26 Jan 2017)
The year kicks off with a local production, Take 2, which is a story of a group of ex-gangster friends finding redemption. Tiger, Huat, Dog and Jianren set up a restaurant after leaving prison, and struggle against social prejudice and their old gang connections.
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(POSSIBLY) OVERRATED MOVIES
And for fun, when you just want to turn off your brain and soak in some empty spectacle, these films from (too) long running franchises have a track record of doing just that.
Fifty Shades Darker (9 Feb 2017)
This scintillating title returns on Valentine’s Day! Christian struggles against his darker side and Anastasia is forced to face the anger and jealousy of Christian’s former lovers.
Pirates of the Caribbean 5: Dead Men Tell No Tales (25 May 2017)
Has it been that long since the Pirates I, when we fell in love with Captain Jack? In this fifth installment, aka Dead Franchises Make No Sales, Captain Jack Sparrow’s old foe, Captain Salazar, escapes the Devil’s Triangle with the intent to take the lives of all living pirates. The only thing that can stop him is the Trident of Poseidon, an ancient artifact that makes its wielder master of the seven seas.
Transformers: The Last Knight (22 June 2017)
Cybertron is dead, and Optimus Prime is responsible for causing it. Oops. Now he must go back to Earth, and find an artifact that can restore life to his planet.
Thor: Ragnarok (2 Nov 2017)
The trailer has not been officially released, but here’s a teaser. Thor fights the Incredible Hulk in a gladiator match to protect his people (huh?), even as Asgard is imperilled by the Norse apocalypse, Ragnarok.
With a lineup this diverse, there’s something for most everyone in 2017.
By Vincent Tan
