By Chris Kavan - 04/11/18 at 10:49 AM CT
The consistency of that old "two decent ratings a week" is alive and well, folks but at least this time the two movies are, to paraphrase a certain Commander in Chief "Huuuuuuuuuge!" Avengers assemble once again in what is certain to be, if not the biggest, certainly damn close (Black Panther set the bar awfully high) and we get to return to Jurassic World in what is also certain to be a massive hit. So while the quantity hasn't changed, the quality certainly has and at least I'll have a good time going over the two films in ratings land.
In any other year, I would say that Avengers: Infinity War would be a lock for highest-grossing film of the year. Solo: A Star Wars Story has had behind-the-scenes issues, Jurassic World (which I'll get to in just a moment) will be big, but not that big and Deadpool 2 just isn't as popular. However, this is not just any year as Black Panther has amassed $666.2 million (and counting) - topping Titanic in the process. Avengers: Infinity War has already set a record for pre-sales in tickets, so there's that going for it - oh, and it brings together everyone, Iron Man, Black Panther, Captain America, The Guardians of the Galaxy, Dr. Strange, Ant-Man, Spider-Man, Winter Soldier, Black Widow, Thor, Hulk, Scarlet Witch, Vision, Hawkeye, Falcon and, supposedly, Captain Marvel - oh, and Thanos, the guy who wants all those infinity stones so he can rule and or destroy the galaxy. Also, Loki, Nebula, War Machine, Mantis, Wong, Heimdall, Shuri, Okoye, M'Baku, Pepper Potts, Happy Hogan, The Collector and... Peter Dinklage as someone will appear. Unsurprisingly given the sheer amount of characters and action, this will be the longer MCU film to date - 156 minutes and, by the look of the trailers, also one of the most exciting. Captain America fighting alongside Black Panther and the Wakandan nation? Yes please! Peter Quill bantering about plans with Iron Man? Yes please! Spider-Man climbing an alien structure above New York City? Yes please! Everything about this just looks awesome - my only worry is how they're going to fit all these characters in and still have a decent story. That was my worry with The Avengers - and it turned out great (granted, with far, far fewer characters). No matter, even if it stumbles in the story department, I have no doubt this is going to explode. Will it make more than Black Panther? Hard to say at this point, but it's going to a massive success no matter what. Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action throughout, language and some crude references.
Another film that looks to compete for one of the top spots of the year will be Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom. The first film, much like Star Wars: The Force Awakens, banked on a lot of nostalgia for the original to succeed and succeed it did. With $652.2 million domestic and $1.67 billion worldwide, Chris Pratt found himself part of another massive franchise (along with Bryce Dallas Howard, BD Wong and Judy Greer - RIP Irrfan Khan and Vincent D'Onofrio - well, their characters anyway). This time around there is still some of that - welcome back Jeff Goldblum and your chaos theories - but the story looks a bananas. The Jurassic World island, where the dinos now roam free, is about to face another extinction-level event when the long-dormant volcano decides to spring to life. Newcomers to this film include James Cromwell, Ted Levine, Rafe Spall, Toby Jones and Geraldine Chaplin among others. While J.A. Bayona (The Impossible, A Monster Calls) takes over directing duties from Colin Trevorrow (who himself is coming back for Part 3), it looks like it's not going to lose any of the intensity - despite the over-the-top premise. At least it looks like they gave Dallas Howard a nice pair of boots instead of high heels this time around. Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of science-fiction violence and peril.
There you have it - just two movies (again) but two of the biggest films of 2018, so there's that. There is plenty more below - check out the full MPAA Ratings Bulletin!
102 NOT OUT
Rated PG for some thematic material.
AMERICAN ANIMALS
Rated R for language throughout, some drug use and brief crude/sexual material.
AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR
Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action throughout, language and some crude references.
DEAD SHACK
Rated R for bloody violence/gore, language throughout, and some sexual references.
ESCAPE PLAN 2
Rated R for violence and language.
GOTTI
Rated R for strong violence and pervasive language.
JURASSIC WORLD: FALLEN KINGDOM
Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of science-fiction violence and peril.
LEAVE NO TRACE
Rated PG for thematic material throughout.
RACER AND THE JAILBIRD
Rated R for some strong sexuality, nudity, violence and for language.
UNDER THE SILVER LAKE
Rated R for strong sexual content, graphic nudity, violence, language throughout and some drug use.
