After Oscar season ends, it is time to start looking forward to what the summer has to offer movie lovers. While the prestigious movies receive their rewards at the Academy Awards, summer offers a lighter trip to the cinema with a smattering of blockbusters. Here are five of the biggest blockbusters the summer of 2011 has to offer.
Thor
Marvel Films is working towards the eventual release of their tent-pole film of 2012, “The Avengers,” and “Thor” is the next step in that progression. Kenneth Branagh directs this Marvel Films adaptation, depicting a Norse God who is cast to Earth when his father determines he is too arrogant to inherit the throne. The story is unlike the Marvel Films leading up to it (“Incredible Hulk,” “Iron Man”), a Shakespearian tale from the man who brought us “Hamlet.”
Release Date: May 6, 2011
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides
When “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End” concluded, it seemed like the franchise was over with. The story of Will Turner and Elizabeth Swan wrapped up and it appeared there was nowhere left to go. With large franchises, that is rarely the case. Captain Jack Sparrow was always the star of these movies and, as long as he is still around, there are always more adventures. In “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides,” Rob Marshall (“Chicago”) takes over as director as Captain Jack searches for the Fountain of Youth.
Release Date: May 20, 2011
The Hangover 2
The first “Hangover” movie was a huge success, eclipsing “Beverly Hills Cop” as the highest grossing R-rated comedy of all time. Director Todd Phillips tries to accomplish the rare feat of recapturing the magic of the first film with “The Hangover Part II.” All the main cast members return for this installment as the action is moved from Las Vegas to Bangkok, where Stu is planning to get married. The movie promises more guest appearances and madcap adventures, hoping to build upon the success of the first outing.
Release Date: May 26, 2011
Transformers: Dark of the Moon
While “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” was panned by critics, making many year-end “worst film” lists, it ended 2009 as one of the year’s highest grossing films, with over $800 million worldwide. When “Transformers: Dark of the Moon” hits theaters this summer, there is a good chance it will repeat the box office success of its predecessors. Shia LaBeouf returns in the lead role while Megan Fox is replaced by Victoria’s Secret model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley.
Release Date: July 1, 2011
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2
The final installment in the extremely successful “Harry Potter” franchise hits this summer with “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2.” While the first of this two-part finale was a road trip movie, the second promises an all-out battle, with Harry Potter finally coming face-to-face with his nemesis, the evil Lord Voldemort. This movie franchise began in 2001 and, ten years later, is finally reaching its conclusion in what promises to be one of the most successful movies of all time based on a young-adult book series.
Release Date: July 15, 2011
