Top 10: Films of the '00s

You will not agree with all of the films on this list. You may not even agree with any of them. When trying to sum up a decade’s worth of films, there is an inevitable filter of subjectivity. You also have to run a fine balance between gender preference, age preference, cinematic quality and the quantity of people who actually saw it – because if you don’t, then it may as well be a list of the Harry Potter films. So feel free to disagree, but you will, hopefully, agree with at least one.

• 10. Monsters Inc. (2001)

The film that marked the beginning of a stream of Pixar films that were some of the most surprisingly good movies of the decade – including The Incredibles, Ratatouille, and this year’s Up. You can argue that Toy Story deserves this mantle, but the effects used to bring the two protagonists to life (particularly Sully, the hairy one) were groundbreaking.

• 9. Gladiator (2001)
  

  Russell Crowe

The film that established Russell “Fighting-Round-The-World” Crowe as a household name, breathed new life into the unfortunately named ‘swords-and-sandals’ genre, and inspired many other movies that weren’t nearly as epic. It will probably be the standout of Ridley Scott’s directorial career, as it was not only well-shot, well-acted, and well entertaining, but will be remembered for a long time.

• 8. The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)

Wes Anderson’s quirky film about a family reunification may not seem like an obvious choice, but it features some of the best performances and Salingerian storytelling of the decade.

• 7. Casino Royale (2006)

Ian Fleming’s original – and best – Bond story was finally brought to the screen in a non-silly way. Amazingly for a Bond film, it was actually good. The best, in fact, since From Russia With Love. Although the traditional crappiness returned with its sequel, this stands as a rare monument to one of the most iconic British characters of the last 50 years.

• 6. The Devil Wears Prada (2006)

It has Anne Hathaway – it was guaranteed to be brilliant. And while Meryl Streep’s fashion industry bitch queen made life difficult for her, nothing could stop our hero Anne. It doesn’t deserve the label ‘chick-flick’ because it was excellently enjoyable to all.

• 5. Team America (2005)
  

  Team America

The creators of South Park try their hand at puppetry. A satirical take on America’s post-9/11 role in the world, the film reassured us that not all Americans were self-obsessed dullards who couldn’t take a joke. Ironically, it wasn’t too popular in the US.

• 4. The Lord of the Rings (2001-3)

Peter Jackson’s epic adaptation of Tolkien’s epic novel took over 18 months to shoot and takes 10 hours to watch. If you’re incredibly bored (or just incredibly geeky) then try watching all three films in one go – it gets quite emotional.

• 3. Anchorman (2004)

Quite possibly the funniest film ever made, it established Will Ferrell as a comic genius. Unfortunately he then went on make hundreds of not-very-funny films that not very many people saw. Still, if you haven’t seen this then there is, unquestionably, something wrong with you. I love lamp.

• 2. Frost/Nixon (2009)

The story of the titanic clash between interviewer David Frost and disgraced former-president Richard Nixon was nothing short of epic. Even though the late-night phone call never really happened, it doesn’t detract from its awesomeness. Manolo, bring the caviar.

• 1. The Dark Knight (2008)
  

  The Dark Knight

The best superhero film ever made will also be remembered for Heath Ledger’s excellent posthumous performance as The Joker. Probably the best popular film of the decade.

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