With the release of Terminator Genisys and Jurassic Park scheduled for next year, 2015 promises to be an enjoyable one for film fans from around the world. It is important that we look back on 2014 with great fondness, however, as there were a number of movie releases that were relatively underrated and managed to provide considerable entertainment despite a less than enthusiastic critical reception. There is often a difference between the artistic quality of a film and its level of enjoyment, although this can be lost amid negative reviews and disparaging word of mouth comments.
So let’s take a look at three of the most underrated films of 2014:
The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (Sony Pictures Entertainment)
If there is one film that suffered from excessive marketing, it is The Amazing Spider-Man 2 narrative from Sony. Like Star Trek into Darkness, this big-budget sequel created incredible hype among fans and industry experts before failing to meet such exalted expectations. Its poor domestic box office showing reflected this, but this does not mean that the film itself is not watchable or is entirely devoid of merit. Some of the action scenes are also well-staged, as the film is particularly good value as a family entertainment piece. If the aggressive marketing failed to promote the film successfully, it at least managed to inspire creative merchandising and the development of popular online games such as Spiderman slots.
Dolphin Tale 2 (Warner Bros /Time Warner Inc.)
Live action family films have enjoyed something of a renaissance in recent times, and Dolphin Tale 2 led this resurgent charge. While critics derided it is an inconsequential children’s’ movie, however, it is a sincere and movie piece of cinematography that continued genuine moments of emotion, drama and excitement. It is essentially a tale of good, hard-working people who are forced to make challenging decisions, which viewers from all around the world can identify with regardless of their wealth or status.
Hercules (Paramount/Viacom, Inc.)
Arguably the most underrated film of 2014, the narrative came as a surprise after a series of dark and gritty trailers that portrayed another action movie with little or no depth of plot. It was these trailers that led to considerable derision among critics and fans alike, however, as many simply chose to either avoid watching the film or entered their local cinema with false and preconceived ideas. The film is filled with excellent dialogue and witty cameos from a stellar cast such as John Hurt and Ian McShane, so it is well worth watching if you missed it the first time around.
