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SALT LAKE CITY -- If rumors are to be believed, and 2012 is the last year of our earthly existence, then at least we’re going out with one of the greatest summer movie lineups in history.
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Comic book fans, Sci-fi geeks, and fairytale fanatics all have something to look forward to as spring starts to turn up the heat. And for those of you without an active inner-geek, well 2012 has a few tricks up its sleeve for you as well.
Here are the five most talked about and anticipated films for the 2012 summer lineup.:
5. Snow White and the Huntsman
“Snow White” barely edges out several great contenders for the number 5 spot. “Rock of Ages,” “The Amazing Spider-Man,” "Men in Black III,” and “The Bourne Legacy” each have their own unique fan bases. But for some reason, message boards and movie sites are intensely interested in what will happen when “Thor” and that “Twilight” girl try to defeat the evil Charlize Theron.
In talks for a sequel even before its June opening, “Snow White and the Huntsman” promises a much darker take on the classic story. Disney and Julia Roberts fans need not enter, this one is being marketed for the sparkly vampire crowd.
4. Prometheus
Currently enjoying an especially eerie web campaign, “Prometheus” brings Ridley Scott back to the Sci-fi genre with a story that may or may not have anything to do with the “Alien” franchise. It appears, even if it isn’t a direct tie-in, the stories exist in the same universe; however, rumors that the film is an “Alien” prequel seem to be diminishing as more details are revealed.
For fans, this is as close to Scott returning to the 1979 classic as we’re going to see. Just how close that actually is will probably remain a mystery until the first week of June, when we find out once and for all if Charlize Theron and Michael Fassbender can “save the future of the human race.”
3. Brave
Pixar was noticeably absent from the animation category during this year’s Academy Awards. “Cars 2” had many Pixar fans scratching their heads, and critics were wondering if the studio was ready to cash in on their hard-earned reputation.
Then came the trailers for “Brave.” Set on a beautiful backdrop, and employing a feisty redhead for its protagonist, Pixar has reeled in a group of fans counting down the days to set their eyes on this tale. The trailers aren’t giving a great deal away for now, but from what they have shown, it seems many young girls will have a favorite hero in Merida when June 22 finally rolls around.
“The Dark Knight Rises” marks the third and final Batman story from director Christopher Nolan. Fans are hoping this will be the superhero film that finally proves it’s OK to go three deep with comic book movies, and with the director of “Memento,” “The Prestige,” and “Inception” at the helm, there’s plenty of reason to believe that will be the case.
Set eight years after the Joker terrorized Gotham, a new threat emerges in the city, causing a retired Batman to come out of hiding and defend the citizens who still believe he’s responsible for the crimes of former district attorney, Harvey Dent.
1. The Avengers
For every kid who made his own sound effects in the bathtub while his or her Hulk and Iron Man action figures battled it out on an island of soap, comes perhaps the most amazing film of all time.
Marvel has done something unheard of, bringing together four wildly successful franchises into a single, action packed adventure. With the exception of Edward Norton from “The Incredible Hulk,” all of the lead actors are returning and are being joined by a few side characters including Scarlet Johanson’s Back Widow from “Iron Man 2” and Jeremy Renner’s “Hawkeye” from “Thor.”
Early reviews are leading Rottentomatoes.com with 96 percent and the buzz surrounding the story almost guarantees a record contender come May 4. If you’re not planning on seeing this film, you probably know at least three other people who are.
So if this is our last year on earth, we couldn’t have picked a better cinematic note to end it on. And for those a little nervous about what comes first, the end of the world or “The Hobbit?” Well, it should be noted that “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” is being released a good week before naysayers predict we’ll finally meet our doom.
You can contact Travis at tpoppleton@ymail.com
