The Covid-19 pandemic was hard for everyone, but especially for the movie industry. I, too, missed going to cinemas to watch newly released movies. Below, I write about my post-pandemic cinema experience.
Raya and the Last Dragon (2021)
My Expectations : None
My Rating : 6/10
This was the first movie we saw after pandemic restrictions lifted and also the first movie we saw in Bangkok. It was good that I went in with no expectations because the movie was dull and forgetful. I remember nothing of what was in it.
No Time to Die (2021)
My Expectations : None
My Rating : 7/10
This was the first Bond movie I saw in years and it didn’t disappoint. I enjoyed watching it, but don’t remember the details of what happened in it.
The Matrix Resurrections (2021)
My Expectations : 8/10
My Rating : 3/10
I have already written about what a disappointment this movie was and have no energy to dwell on it again.
Spider-Man : No Way Home (2021)
My Expectations : 7/10
My Rating : 7/10
This was my first MCU movie since Endgame and it delivered as per my expectations. It was entertaining, but relied too much on the appearance of Doctor Strange and the previous Spider-Men to carry the movie. Don’t regret watching it, though.
Doctor strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)
My Expectations : 7/10
My Rating : 5/10
What a super bore movie! My family left part-way, but I stuck around. For me, this signalled for me the start of the decline in the quality of MCU movies.
Top Gun Maverick (2022)
My Expectations : 7/10
My Rating : 7/10
Time-pass movie that relied heavily on nostalgia.
Thor : Love and Thunder (2022)
My Expectations : 7/10
My Rating : 5/10
Although Doctor Strange was a bad sign for what was to come, I hoped Taika Waititi would make a good movie. But no. What a bore.
Avatar : The Way of the Water (2022)
My Expectations : 4/10
My Rating : N/A – Left in 30 minutes
I didn’t know why I even went to watch this movie when I hated Part 1 and already had such low expectations from Part 2. Never again.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023)
My Expectations : 7/10
My Rating : 9/10
The best movie I have seen in years and the only MCU movie I enjoyed. I watched it twice in the cinemas and once on Disney+. Deserves a separate post.
Oppenheimer (2023)
My Expectations : 9/10
My Rating : 6/10
Being a fan of quite a few Christopher Nolan movies and the hype surrounding this one, I had huge hopes. But the movie turned out to be only slightly above average. I would still have seen it, but wouldn’t have spent extra on IMAX Laser.
The Flash (2023)
My Expectations : 7/10
My Rating : 7/10
Time-pass movie. Just like spider-man, it relied heavily on the appearance of Keaton’s batman, Affleck’s batman and Clooney’s Bruce Wayne to carry it. Also an appearance from Nicholas Cage’s Superman.
Godzilla X Kong : The New Empire (2024)
My Expectations : 6/10
My Rating : 6/10
We went to watch this movie with very low expectations and weren’t disappointed. Mindless action.
Furiosa A Mad Max Saga (2024)
My Expectations : 9/10
My Rating : 7/10
I went to watch this one with very high expectations, but it couldn’t compare to Mad Max: Fury Road.