The following are the movies, games and TV shows that people seemed to hate this year, but which the editors and contributors here at FANDOM loved. Or at least liked a fair bit. So we’re making the case for the world giving them a second chance.
Transformers: The Last Knight – Kim Taylor-Foster
The Transformers franchise gets a rough ride. It seems everyone loves to hate Michael Bay’s brash, action-heavy sequels. But while the second and third films left a lot to be desired, since Mark Wahlberg joined, the franchise has upped its game.
In 2017, the fifth and latest entry hit screens – Transformers: The Last Knight. And it had everything. And by everything, I mean EVERYTHING. Giant robots fighting? Check – but that’s a given. What it also delivered was an imaginative take on the King Arthur legend, Optimus Prime turned bad, and Anthony Hopkins. Yes, ANTHONY HOPKINS. Playing an eccentric aristocrat with a bunch of Transformers on the staff, who’s also concealing the secrets of the Transformers’ past.
The Last Knight is a hell of a ride. It’s a super-camp, self-referential, tongue-in-cheek send-up of genre filmmaking, that’s as fond of its formula as it is willing to poke fun at it. In short, it’s enormous fun.
Mass Effect: Andromeda – Jack DeVries
Don’t get me wrong, Mass Effect: Andromeda is not on par with the original trilogy, but to hear some talk about it you’d think the game retroactively murdered all your favorite characters. While the reboot of this beloved franchise stumbled, I still found myself engrossed with this new story in the Mass Effect universe. Plus, credit to Bioware for listening to fans and making changes to the game post-release, and by “listening to fans” I of course mean “adding new aliens for my character to take to bed” because, let’s be honest, that’s a HUGE part of Mass Effect.
xXx: Return of Xander Cage – Eric Fuchs
xXx: Return of Xander Cage assumes the world was begging for more Xander Cage. Well, Xander Cage is not Indiana Jones, and his movie was a mediocre Fast and the Furious knock-off from 2002. And yet, xXx is so insistent that Vin Diesel’s extreme sports hero is the coolest thing ever that it even had me convinced. It’s the kind of movie where the characters somehow surf on motorcycles. Especially great is Donnie Yen as the villain who steals Xander Cage’s show. Return of Xander Cage is not a smart movie, but it is a fun one.
Iron Fist – Lauren Gallaway
Iron Fist debuted this year to very lacklustre reviews. The show was already considered a failure before the episodes streamed. When I heard of an underdog like that, I naturally wanted to root for it, so when I watched the series I went in with a very open mind. I liked the show right away. I thought the first two episodes, which showed Danny’s parents death and his subsequent PTSD, was a powerful portrayal of a mental health issue rarely shown in superhero fiction. As the show progressed I related to his monastic lifestyle and his gradual reentry in the world. I enjoyed Danny’s charisma and his pursuit of the truth. Iron Fist’s supporting cast was also fantastic. Both newcomer Jessica Henwick and seasoned actress Rosario Dawson had powerful presences in the series and Wai Ching Ho stole every scene she was in.
The Book of Henry – Chris Tilly
Book of Henry was savaged by critics and failed spectacularly at the box office. Yet while the film has its problems, in terms of some painful dialogue and jarring tonal shifts, there’s also lots to like. The story of a kid’s efforts to rescue his next door neighbour from abuse, it tackles a dark subject in whimsical fashion, which doubtless put many off. But I found Colin Trevorrow’s film to be brave, ambitious and ballsy. Jaeden Lieberher delivers a terrific central performance, while if you embrace the conceit, the film’s final few scenes pack a genuine emotional punch.