Top 10 Best Trailers of December 2016

The trailer for Zal Batmanglij’s Netflix original series, “The OA”, starts as the show means to go on – steeped in mystery, prompting endless questions. During this short sneak peek of the eight-part first season, we’re introduced to a girl who we learn has been through some kind of seven-year ordeal. She was blind but now she’s not, she struggles to recognise her parents, and toward the end of the clip she somewhat ominously ‘remembers everything’. But just what has jogged her memory? And just why do the violins have to be so foreboding? Guess we’ll just have to tune in to find out.

Judging by this trailer, “Despicable Me 3” has to be an early frontrunner for the feel good film of 2017. Steve Carrell returns to our screens as the one-time super-villain Gru, to take on an old school new character, the super retro super-bad guy, Balthazar Bratt. This teaser is essentially an animated throwback to the ‘70s and ‘80s, crammed full with Rubik’s cube weaponry, seriously questionable shoulder pads, and a boat’s worth of bubble-gum. And don’t worry; the ever-lovable Minions do make an appearance too, as DJs hosting a massive beach party. It’s like all our birthdays came at once!

The Fast and Furious formula is tried, tested and incredibly successful, and the official trailer for the eighth instalment in the franchise gives fans even more of exactly what they love. There are fast cars, big fights, quick jokes and crazy stunts with favourite characters including Dom Toretto, Letty Ortiz and Luke Hobbs all in attendance. But there are also signs that this film’s ‘family’ has hit a very rocky patch, and a break could well be on the cards. While we’re left to wonder just what this trailer is driving at, an orange Lamborghini takes centre stage. It may be an easy target, but it’s oh so pretty.

Starting with what could prove to be one of the most terrifying plane crash scenes in movie history, Tom Cruise stars in the trailer for “The Mummy”, which gives us our first look at the first instalment for the upcoming Universal Monsters Shared Universe. The high-octane opening is followed by a creepy second half which sees Cruise wake up in a body bag before trying to uncover the mystery of the movie’s title character. With Russell Crowe’s resonant tones to take us through, it’s a trailer which leaves us ticking off the days until the film’s June 9th release date.

After the Rise and Dawn of the Planet of the Apes in 2011 and 2014 respectively, 2017 sees the third stage to the story and all-out War. An army of apes fronted by Andy Serkis’ Caesar meets an army of humans headed by Woody Harrelson’s ruthless Colonel, for a merciless fight to the end. While ideas of peace between the two sides might have been touted in previous films, this time it’s guns, guns and more guns. Harrelson’s Colonel calls it the ‘last stand’ and this trailer is packed full with probable kills and near-death experiences. It’s gonna be a bloody battle, that’s for sure.

After Vol. 1 of “Guardians of the Galaxy” proved a galactic success, Vol. 2 is one of the most eagerly anticipated movies of 2017 – and judging by this trailer, fans should expect the same brilliant brand of chaos as in the first film. An ensemble cast with the likes of Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Bradley Cooper and Dave Bautista reunite, while Baby Groot seems the cutest (potentially catastrophe-causing) thing imaginable. With British glam rockers Sweet featured as this trailer’s soundtrack, with their 1975 single “Fox on the Run”, it also looks as though we will be listening to a lot more of Star-Lord’s ‘Awesome Mix’. Turn. It. Up!

After Peter Parker’s world-famous alter-ego, Spider-Man, made his MCU debut in 2016’s “Captain America: Civil War”, the friendly neighbourhood, superhero will spin his own cinematic web in 2017. In this teaser, we see Tom Holland take on the red, blue and black skin-tight suit (which, by the way, now has wings!) to battle bad guys with speed, agility and a generous helping of teenage awkwardness. Robert Downey Jr’s Tony Stark also features as an unconventional father figure to the film’s title character, as “Homecoming” promises to chart Parker’s journey from protégé to all-out action hero.

As the only video game trailer to make today’s top 10, the promo for “The Last of Us Part II” brings us back into the world of one of PlayStation 3’s most successful games. Naughty Dog picks up the brutal storyline with close-up shots of an adult Ellie playing guitar, singing as we’re shown more and more of the carnage around her. The game will be set five years after previous events and Ellie will become a main playable character. Joel also makes a brief appearance toward the end of the clip, before Ellie delivers a determined vow. Chilling.

Christopher Nolan’s “Dunkirk” is already being tipped for both commercial and critical success in 2017. This trailer gives us the first frightening glimpses of Nolan’s take on the historic World War II evacuation of Allied forces from the German-surrounded shores of France. A stellar cast includes Kenneth Branagh, Mark Rylance, Cillian Murphy and Tom Hardy plus a hotly anticipated acting debut for One Direction’s Harry Styles. Operation Dynamo, as the Dunkirk mission was known, took place between May 26th and June 4th 1940; this movie is set for release 77 years after actual events, in the summer of 2017.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
“The Wall”
“Transformers: The Last Knight”
“Alien: Covenant”

A sequel to Ridley Scott’s 1982 neo-noir sci-fi classic “Blade Runner” had long been rumoured; in December 2016, fans finally got a glimpse of what comes next. The first look at “Blade runner 2049” doesn’t give too much away, only that Ryan Gosling is the new lead and that Harrison Ford’s Rick Deckard will play a part. The two meet in a typically dusty, dystopian, seemingly abandoned place as Ford points a gun in Gosling’s direction. We can tell already that this movie is no replicant - it’s the real deal. And it’s set to be one of the most expensive R-rated movies ever made. Bring it on.

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