Summer ’11 Movies Boast Superheroes but Little Animation

Spring is here, which means summer is just around the corner, and with the time of year comes a barrage of high-octane, crowd-pleasing “flicks.”   A quick glance at the list of films set to be released between May and August in 2011 shows that superhero movies are abundant.

The first of these films is X-Men: First Class. This film will have a tough time living up to the standards of the first X-Men film, particularly as some fans are quickly distancing themselves from the franchise.  Each sequel in the series has had a stunning trailer that ended up seeming more entertaining than the complete film. Other superhero films being released this summer include Captain America, The Green Lantern, and Thor, the last of which can be credited with inspiring the most moviegoer buzz.

What many critics assume will be the highest grossing film of the summer is Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II. The first part of the two-part film was called “The Best Potter Film yet” by numerous reputable critics, so anticipation is high for its sequel. While the film will most likely do very well and receive decent reviews, many feel as though the books still far surpass the films.

Surprisingly, the summer will likely experience a dearth of animated titles. The only exception is Cars 2. Many critics fear that Pixar’s upcoming release may spell the end for the company’s reign of perfection, particularly since the relaxed racing-inspired plotline of the original seems to be replaced with a more outlandish form of spy narrative.

What is most unfortunate for American moviegoers is that the third installment of the once-promising Transformers series will likely receive the biggest attention this summer. Transformers: Dark of the Moon is set to be released in theaters on July 1^st.

All in all, the movies set to be released this summer provide the typical response from the discerning critic: Eh, whatever.