#10: Kung Fu Panda 2
Improving from its' predecessor in many ways, this sequel had a predictable, but thrilling story. Having the perfect amount of action-packed and emotional scenes, the original Panda was a movie that I originally disliked, but I eventually grew to really enjoy. I was won over by its' subplot that had Po trying to discover the secrets about his past, and learning to continue living life moving forward.
#9: Cars 2
Another fun-filled Pixar movie and a sequel that improved greatly over its' predecessor. The first Cars had a lot of emotional oomph, but this one amped up the action and it still had its' moments of heart and just the right amount of humor. I am a huge fan of spy-spoofs, and this one fit the bill for me. Too bad critics didn't recognize it (its' the only Pixar movie to get primarily negative reviews).
#8: The Smurfs
I loved the classic cartoon, and thankfully, they were able to keep the characters' adorable charm and miscievous antics around in this live-action/CGI flick. And while its' plot duplicates Enchanted's, it was a much more cleaner flick than what it might've been, and it had its' share of positive moments between both humans and smurfs. Plus, the scenes with Gargamel and his cat Azrael were hilarious.
#7: Arthur Christmas
Its' a rarity we see a Christmas film on the market, and this flick certainly was one of the best ones I have seen in recent memory. A heartwarming classic that has a great premise and interesting plotlines, plus some funny moments and a nice twist on Santa's sleigh. Too bad it didn't see good grosses, I guess it was K-O'd by much more competition, but at least critics gave it the best acclaim out of any animated film this year.
#6: The Adventures of Tintin
(More on this in my review later...) Steven Spielberg's 3-D stop motion animated adventure is a similar yet gentler rendition of Indiana Jones, and while the action was close to non-stop, the animation was the most realistic this year. The film also had the advantage of using the old-school mystery formula that is rarely used in the movies these days, which I was just thrilled by. And while the alcohol use might be a small problem, its' not nearly as eye-rolling as seeing a lot of gross-out toilet humor.
#5: Courageous
A truly inspirational Christian film, Sherwood Pictures brings out the big guns with its' best and most inspiring film to date. The fatherhood story and police caper also had its' share of humorous moments, but was mainly leaning on its' positive triumphs that will win moviegoers of any faith.
#4: Soul Surfer
The true story of Bethany Hamilton is an amazing one, and to include her unstoppable faith and determination to get back to surfing is definitely something that should not be ignored. Like Courageous, Soul Surfer has plenty of emotional triumphs that will win moviegoers of any faith and any age.
#3: The Muppets
This revival of Jim Henson's classic characters has all the ingredients of a true-blue Disney classic. Great musical numbers, subtle humor, and an appreciable amount of heart and emotional moments. The best-reviewed movie of the year indeed, this one was certainly an excellent sell. Kermit, its' great to have you guys back!!!
#2: Dolphin Tale
Out of all the true stories that have been adapted into movies I have seen this year, this one takes the cake. It has its' share of emotional triumphs and fun moments, but it also is one of the cleanest movies I have ever seen. The characters and story are engaging, and the dolphin inspired many people, including myself.
#1: Spy Kids: All The Time in the World
I'm sure if you're reading this, you're not sure why I chose this. Well, there is the advantage that I grew up with the first three films, so this was basically the most nostalgic film I've seen, where you know every quote that is a self-homage to earlier movies, and every gadget. But this film had more than just the typical action antics, it had an excellent amount of heart that certainly is a home run for both kids and adults, and the nostalgia will win over long-time fans of the franchise as well.
That's my Top 10 for the year 2011...
