The 2014 Summer Blockbusters You Need To Watch

Movie lovers rejoice when the summer months come around, not for the warm weather but for the incredible big budget blockbusters that come with it. Summer movies always get larger budgets, which means bigger stars, more intense action, the best special effects, and the most entertainment value. Granted, summer blockbusters often lack in plot, but they are usually passable enough to warrant shelling out a few bucks to see! This summer there is plenty to get excited about, and as both Godzilla and X-Men hit the theatres in already in May, this is looking to be an extended season…

Godzilla (May 17th)
Directed by: Gareth Edwards
Budget: $150M
Starring: Aaron Johnson, Ken Watanabe, Elizabeth Olsen, Sally Hawkins, Bryan Cranston

Why You Should See It: Godzilla opened to a massive $200M weekend, resulting in the studio putting a sequel in the planning stages. Godzilla has been a staple in movie culture for decades now, and this latest rendition revitalizes the brand in a big way. A more ‘realistic’ story line, combined with special effects that truly look perfect, make this one of the best Godzilla films ever. With some quality actors playing smaller roles (Sally Hawkins and Bryan Cranston), this movie is kicking off the summer blockbuster season with gusto!

X-Men: Days of Future Past (May 23rd)
Directed by: Bryan Singer
Budget: $250M
Starring: Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Hugh Jackman, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, Halle Berry, Anna Paquin, Ellen Page, Peter Dinklage, James McAvoy, Nicholas Hoult

Why You Should See It: The much-hyped X-Men: Days of Future Past is a reboot/reunion of the X-Men franchise. With Bryan Singer back at the helm, the movie is reviewing exceptionally well among critics – time travel, superheroes, an army of villains, and apparently an incredibly strong plot as well. Naturally, when you have a $250M budget you can expect the special effects to be incredible – packed with lots of explosions, mind-blowing super powers, and realism.

Edge of Tomorrow (June 6th)
Directed by: Doug Liman
Budget: $175M
Starring: Tom Cruise, Emily Blunt, Bill Paxton, Brendan Gleeson

Why You Should See It: Tom Cruise is a notoriously good sci fi/action draw during summer blockbusters – last year’s Oblivion raked in a solid $286M worldwide. Edge of Tomorrow takes place in a near future, after an alien race has invaded Earth. Tom Cruise, a seemingly average soldier, drops on the beach and dies within seconds. However, that is where this movie becomes interesting: When Tom Cruise dies, he wakes up and the day starts over again. On repeat, each time he reawakens he retains the memories of his previous life. It sounds a little bit like Groundhog Day, and is unfortunately not being reviewed well, but it’s still one to look forward to for some cheap entertainment.

Transformers 4: Age of Extinction (June 27th)
Directed by: Michael Bay
Budget: $165M
Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Stanley Tucci

Why You Should See It: Michael Bay delivers the next installment of Transformers, but this time without Shia Laboeuf. Instead, Mark Wahlberg is taking over the reins of the protagonist. Following the events of Dark of the Moon, Age of Extinction picks up the pieces through science bringing back an ancient powerful Transformer that is hell-bent on destroying Earth. Just where will this installment take us? Probably to a bunch of explosions and not much else. But what do you expect at this point?

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (July 11th)
Directed by: Matt Reeves
Budget: $120M
Starring: Andy Serkis, Gary Oldman, Judy Greer, Keri Russell, Jason Clarke

Why You Should See It: In past installments of Planet of the Apes, I always wondered how the apes managed to overpower the excessive number of humans on Earth – but it seems DOTPOTA will answer this question. Trailers offer a glimpse into a future where a plague has wiped out the majority of humans, meanwhile the apes continue to learn, grow, and develop. The special effects on this look incredible, and while it is still odd to see a chimpanzee talking, the ever-expanding origin story feels more and more plausible.

Jupiter Ascending (July 18th)
Directed by: The Wachowskis
Budget: $150M
Starring: Mila Kunis, Channing Tatum, Sean Bean

Why You Should See It: The Wachowskis of The Matrix franchise fame return to the sci-fi world with an original screenplay in Jupiter Ascending. The ‘space opera’ is a little bit of a rags to riches story, as Mila Kunis’ character, Jupiter Jones, learns that her genetic makeup makes her the heir to Earth. Meanwhile, a bounty is placed on her head from an alien race who would rather harvest the Earth rather than lose it. Channing Tatum plays a warrior who must defend her from those who would seek to end her life. While the plot alone may not sell you on the concept, just keep in mind: This is from the Wachowskis!

Guardians of the Galaxy (August 1st)
Directed by: James Gunn
Budget: $150M
Starring: Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, Lee Pace, John C. Reilly, Glenn Close, Benicio del Toro

Why You Should See It: I am not sure how I feel about this movie and predict a flop at the box office. The film has an ensemble cast, but the trailers have done little to intrigue me. A group of misfit superheroes forms a truce to avoid the main villain, Ronan, after a failed attempt to steal an orb he seeks. The orb contains a power that threatens the entire galaxy, and thus the misfit “Guardians of the Galaxy” unite to fight for the future. It is a story we have heard a hundred times, and it has special effects that look like special effects. I am not sold on this one.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (August 8th)
Directed by: Jonathan Liebesman
Budget: $125M
Starring: Megan Fox, Johnny Knoxville, Will Arnett, William Fichtner, Whoopi Goldberg

Why You Should See It: When did Michael Bay become Uwe Boll but with a bigger budget? TMNT gets a movie reboot with Jonathan Liebesman taking on the directing of the movie, and after seeing the first trailer I can state: this is going to ruin many a childhoods. Megan Fox takes on the role of April O’Neil, while the turtles turn out to be a planned design. Expect big action, explosions, and Megan Fox being hot as usual.

The Expendables 3 (August 15th)
Directed by: Sylvester Stallone
Budget: $90M
Starring: Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Randy Couture, Terry Crews, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Charmisa Carpenter, Mel Gibson, Harrison Ford, Wesley Snipes, Antonio Banderas, Victor Ortiz, Ronda Rousey, Kelsey Grammer

Why You Should See It: Stallone returns with his third in the series that takes our favourite action stars from the 80s and 90s and puts them all together in an unlikely battle royale. While Bruce Willis will not be in this one, Harrison Ford, Wesley Snipes, Mel Gibson, Antonio Banderes and a few others join the cast. (Where is Seagal?!) The third installment will be more of the same and that is just fine. Tons of actions, big guns, a lot of testosterone, explosions, fighting, and death. A perfect way to end the summer.

What summer blockbusters will you be lining up for? Let us know in the comments below or tweet us @ViewTheVibe.