Well Schmoes, as 2021 finally draws to a close we reflect on a year unlike any other in our lifetimes. Thanks to COVID-19, a limited number of movies made it to the big screen. With films debuting everywhere from drive-ins to streaming services, cinema still found a way to entertain us from the comfort of our homes. It remains to be seen what 2021 will bring but, if there is one thing for certain, there are always movies that are highly overrated and underrated by critics and fans alike. As the UnPopular Opinion Guy, I felt it was only fitting to issue my list of the movies I felt that the masses got wrong. Some of these may shock you and some may just piss you off, but these are my honest-to-goodness perspective of the movies of 2021. If you disagree with any of the choices, please voice your own opinion in the talkback below (Ed note: be nice!). After all, the only opinion that really matters is yours, I am just here to share mine.
David Lowery has quickly become one of the most intriguing filmmakers working today. From Pete’s Dragon to A Ghost Story, Lowery knows how to take fantastical stories and give them a distinct edge. His take on the legendary Arthurian tale of Sir Gawain and The Green Knight is a visually stunning work of genius that not nearly enough people saw. Released too early to gain buzz for the Oscars and not nearly in enough theaters, this may be the single best work of fantasy filmmaking since Lord of the Rings.
Marvel Studios never fails to deliver and 2021 saw a ton of material from them. While I do feel the small screen projects at Disney+ were better than the big-screen outings, Eternals was far better than I had expected. A team film but not The Avengers, an origin story but unlike any other in the MCU, and a universe-changing concept that didn’t lean on the Multiverse, Eternals gave us what may be the best directed comic book film from someone other than Christopher Nolan or The Russos. Beautiful, resonant, and a great entry into a new corner of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
M. Night Shyamalan went from the next Spielberg and Hitchcock to a shell of his former fame. After a series of bombs, Shyamalan hit reset and has since turned in multiple solid outings. With his excellent show Servant airing on AppleTV+, Shyamalan used some new tricks to make this horror story about a beach and deadly aging. This movie pushes the boundaries of what a PG-13 horror film can show and will stick with you for a long time after it ends.
This movie came and went with barely any recognition and a whole lot of trash from critics. Hugh Jackman’s noir-inspired sci-fi movie is far more romance and drama than action, but it is also an intelligent and complex tale. Hailing from Westworld co-creator Lisa Joy in her directorial debut, Reminiscence has an amazing cast that also includes Thandiwe Newton and Rebecca Ferguson as well as a sultry score and distinct visual flair. It reminded me a lot of Blade Runner 2049 and that is high praise.
After a long delay, Black Widow finally arrived on Disney+. While many vocally lamented that it had not been released years earlier as it felt somewhat too late, Scarlett Johansson’s swan song as Natasha Romanoff was everything I had hoped for. Funny, action-packed, and not reliant on the MCU as a whole, this movie could easily have kickstarted a standalone franchise. At the very least, I love the additions of Florence Pugh, Rachel Weisz, and David Harbour to the MCU as all three are wonderful creations and should see more screentime. It may be hard to call this movie underrated, but the fact we aren’t holding it in esteem alongside Spider-Man: No Way Home or at the very least Captain America: The Winter Soldier is a damn shame.
Let us know your thoughts on our top five in the comments below. Feel free to share your most underrated flicks of 2021 as well!
The comment section exists to allow readers to discuss the article constructively and respectfully, focused on the topic at hand.
What’s Not Allowed