Opinion: Predicting The Highs And Lows Of 2013 Films (Part 2)

Can the second half of 2013 keep up the pace and excitement of the first six months?
Yesterday, I presented a personal guide to the first six months of what the film industry holds for us in 2013, and now it's time to continue our analysis into the later months of the year. While the first half is undoubtedly packed, there's definitely plenty to look forward to with eager anticipation in the latter six months heading our way, so don't look in despair just year. Let the waiting begin, then...
DESPICABLE ME 2 (July 3rd)- There's still time to make up for your mistake if you didn't catch the surprisingly hilarious Despicable Me that hit back in 2011. If you did, you'll understand why with the Minions back in charge, the follow-up promises to be such a satisfying second outing for the series. 4/5
THE LONE RANGER (July 3rd)- Disney are pushing this Western as the next Pirates Of The Carribean, with Johnny Depp its lead star. Can The Lone Ranger succeed? Depp will no doubt boost sales, yet it still doesn't look like the most compelling of additions to the genre. 3/5
KICK-ASS 2 (July 12th)- British fans have to wait just a little longer than the States for this film adaptation of the much-loved graphic novel sequel to Kick-Ass. All the same, since the follow-up now packs Jim Carrey as Nick Cage's replacement, and retains the fantastic trio of Aaron Johnson, Christopher Mintz-Plasse and Chloe Grace Moretz, so there's a good chance it could well be a strong Film Of The Year contender. 4.5/5
GROWN UPS 2 (July 12th)- Adam Sandler's Grown Ups was a mixed bag for critical reactions, but we were big fans of it as a light comedy here at the blog. We're a little weary about Grown Ups 2, though: the ending of the original seemed fairly closed, so we'll have to see if there's a strong sense of comedy sequelitis once again here. 3/5
THE WOLVERINE (July 26th)- If there's a less certain superhero movie than Man Of Steel this year, it's easily The Wolverine. All the same,  I reckon this actually stands quite a good chance of performing well, with a newcomer cast, little-to-no ties to the main X-Men franchise and of course Hugh Jackman leading the way as the titular mutant for a bold new adventure. 4/5
THE SMURFS 2 (July 31st)- Nope, we're still trying to work out why the heck this one has been made too. The Smurfs 2 follows some of the worst critical reception and surprisingly positive box office sales ever, so it's going to be a big mixed bag all round, especially when the totally pantomime villain of the original film returns for more menacing and tear-inducing. 2/5
300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE (August 2nd)- Because who doesn't want a prequel to the mediocre, gag-laden Spartan blockbuster? One for the diehards, 300: Rise Of An Empire isn't likely to do much other than threaten the already rather hasty continuity of this tired franchise. 2/5
RED 2 (August 2nd)- Yet another unwanted sequel, RED 2 arrives without Morgan Freeman but with the dire main cast of Bruce Willis, John Malkovich and Helen Mirren, who all shared the chemistry of still water in the tedious first movie. I am not looking forward to this one, and I reckon the poor odds will be reflected in the ticket sales. 1.5/5
ELYSIUM (August 9th)- Matt Damon is heading up this little-known science fiction thriller come the Summer Of Film. On that basis alone, this one should sell, although given the man's past roles, don't expect cinema writing gold here. 3/5
PERCY JACKSON: SEA OF MONSTERS (August 16th)- I was a big fan of Percy Jackson And The Lightning Thief back in 2009. It's a welcome surprise to see the second instalment of the novels brought to the big screen, then, and here's hoping that more of us film fans give it a chance, as there's potential for a franchise on the scale of Harry Potter to emerge! 4/5
THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS: CITY OF BONES (August 23rd)- Another adaptation of a best-selling fantasy book, The Mortal Instruments is a bit more of an indie franchise, and yet that gives it potential to take viewers by surprise if it gives us the right marketing campaign. 3.5/5
INSIDIOUS CHAPTER 2 (August 30th)- The original Insidious was a divisive piece of cinema. Some people loved its scares, some people weren't impressed, so Chapter 2 has its work cut out to warrant its sequel status. Can it manage it? Given past horror sequels have flopped, I'm not so sure...2/5
THE WORLD'S END (August 30th)- It's time. Simon Pegg and Nick Frost are back for the finale of their Cornetto Trilogy that began with Shaun Of The Dead and Hot Fuzz, and now culminates in a glorious apocalypse movie that features a quest to find the legendary World's End pub. 4.5/5
RIDDICK (September 6th)- Again, seeing as The Chronicles Of Riddick didn't exactly go down a storm, as a semi-rebooted sequel Riddick needs to up the ante if it wants to succeed. Just having Vin Diesel in the main role won't quite cut it! 2.5/5
THE LITTLE MERMAID 3D (September 13th)- 3D re-releases such as this are always money bargains for Walt Disney Studios. The Little Mermaid is one of their best-loved animated tales, so it's got just as much potential to make it big time in the third dimension as The Lion King surprisingly managed to last Autumn. 4/5
STAR WARS EPISODES II & III 3D (September 20th/October 4th)- Once again, Star Wars 3D re-releases are always going to sell rather well. With Episode VII due in 2015, Lucasfilm are speeding up their annual schedule to get the remaining five films out in these two years ahead, so we get the duff Attack Of The Clones and fantastic Revenge Of The Sith back-to-back this Autumn. 3/5 and 5/5
CLOUDY 2: REVENGE OF THE LEFTOVERS (September 27th)- You may remember Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs as a charming little 2010 film which did wonders with its animation and 3D effects. Well, now this new franchise is back with Cloudy 2, guaranteed to be another Autumn bestseller. 3/5
SIN CITY: A DAME TO KILL FOR (October 4th)- With Joseph Gordon-Levitt now on board for this graphic novel adaptation follow-up, you have to wonder if the late casting means a 2014 delay isn't far behind. If not, Sin City 2 could well satisfy fans of the rather bizarre original, even if it's a bit of an indie viewing experience. 3.5/5
CARRIE (October 12th)- As we all know, teen horrors these days can go either way. Thankfully, this remake of the Stephen King classic novel Carrie features Chloe Grace Moretz as its headline star, and those who've seen her in Kick-Ass, Hugo, Let Me In and Movie 43 will know that the signs couldn't go any better! 3.5/5
PARANORMAL ACTIVITY 5 (October 25th)- The horror franchise that refuses to die (or sell badly) is back for a fifth outing. Good luck following the series continuity if you're just joining in, but long-term fans might still find some mileage out of this prolonged new outing. 2.5/5
THOR: THE DARK WORLD (November 8th)- The third big superhero film of 2013 has perhaps the best chances of succeeding. Thanks to Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston and Natalie Portman all returning for the production along with past Doctor Who Christopher Eccleston, Thor: The Dark World could be easily the best Marvel instalment of the year! 4.5/5
ONE DIRECTION: THE MOVIE (November 8th)- Yes, really. Avoid at all costs, if it wasn't already obvious. 1/5
THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE (November 22nd)- Thankfully, this should be a surefire hit. Adapting the best of the Hunger Games novel trilogy is always going to help, not to mention that Catching Fire should kick off a thrilling narrative arc that'll continue with the split two movie finale of Mockingjay in 2014 and '15. 4.5/5
THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG (December 13th)- It's hard to believe that it'll have been a whole twelve months between An Unexpected Journey and the second instalment of The Hobbit. Nevertheless, The Desolation Of Smaug should be yet another cinema masterpiece to remember, featuring the big encounter with Smaug (played by Benedict Cumberbatch) in the Lonely Mountain. 5/5
ANCHORMAN: THE LEGEND CONTINUES (December 20th)- Will Ferrell and company are finally returning to bring us a full sequel to the hit 2004 comedy Anchorman. Prepare for gags, explicit lines and tropes galore in what promises to be one of the most hilarious comedy films of 2013. 4.5/5
THE MUPPETS 2 (Christmas Day)- Why did I emphasise 'one of' in the last entry? Because just days after the Ferrell sequel, The Muppets 2 threatens to even derail all of those laughs. Expect comedy genius with Ricky Gervais as the lead star and Walter and co. back for more songs and comedic antics. 5/5
WALKING WITH DINOSAURS 3D (Boxing Day)- A bit of a bizarre Christmas choice by BBC Films this one. I'm not the biggest fan of the TV series Walking With Dinosaurs, and there's very much the sense that this might be stretching things a bit far even for long-term fans. 2/5
JACK RYAN (Boxing Day)- Tom Clancy's famed novel character is coming to the big screen via Chris Pine, Keira Knightley and Harrison Ford- what a send-off to 2013! 4/5