By Jackson Santy ’13
THE ROUNDUP

When we think of words synonymous with summer, we think sunshine, the beach and lazy.

Similarly, lazy is the word that comes to mind when I think of this summer’s movie lineup.

Aside from a few exceptions, it seems every movie advertised as the “can’t miss hit of the summer” is a sequel, prequel or revamp.

Summer releases are becoming two-hour, unoriginal explosion fests with overused plot lines and actors.

While some appear to a certain degree promising, others not so much.

Iron Man 3

Tony Stark is back and more epic than ever.

Unless you’re Christopher Nolan, director of the Dark Knight trilogy, a third (or even a second) consecutive superhero blockbuster is hard to pull off without being unoriginal, repetitive or just sloppy.

However, “Iron Man 3” looks to be promising.

Will it be as good as Nolan’s masterful trilogy?

No.

Will it satisfy viewers’ hunger for explosions, strong plotline and the Tony Stark wit that actor Robert Downey Jr. has captured so well?

Absolutely.

While I can’t say that “Iron Man 3” is the one movie you absolutely can’t miss this summer, I can say that it’s worth the time.

The Hangover Part III

Now hold on, I know the conclusion we are all jumping to is that director Todd Phillips is trying to sell us a ticket to the same movie for a third time.

“The Hangover Part II” was a poor follow-up to its predecessor “The Hangover,” duplicating the plot and borderline offending my intelligence as an audience member, as if Phillips assumed that I would fall for a cheap copy and pasted sequel.

Believe it or not “The Hangover Part III” hopes to fix the mistake Part II made.

The original gang is back, as well as a few more characters (played by notable actors), and have made their return to Las Vegas.

The film offers the slapstick, potty humor that the series is known for, as well as a fresh new plot that won’t leave audience members feeling ripped off.

Man of Steel

I’m still trying to forget “Superman Returns.”

There’s no guarantee, but I am optimistic that “Man of Steel” will help me abandon the memories of the abominable 2006 prequel.

Director Zack Snyder (“Watchmen” and “300”) brings his dark and edgy anti-hero element, creating a completely new perspective of Superman.

“Man of Steel” isn’t a guaranteed summer record-breaking blockbuster but it will gather crowds and is likely to entertain but not wow.

The Wolverine

Only Hugh Jackman could make the graceful transition from Jean Valjean in “Les Misérables” back to his role as Wolverine in the X-Men series.

Following “X-Men Origins: Wolverine,” the initial spin-off from the original X-Men franchise, “The Wolverine” should impress audiences.

The film takes a new turn from the franchise from which it was birthed and adds director James Mangold, known for such films as “Girl, Interrupted,” “Walk the Line,” and “3:10 to Yuma.”

Although he is new to the superhero genre, based on his previous works, Mangold can bring the grit and edge that Wolverine is known for.

World War Z

Based on the cult-followed novel, this $125 million movie is the summer blockbuster we all wait for every year.

However “World War Z” is not the shoot ’em up, Michael Bay-esque film we all expect a summer blockbuster to be.

The film takes a dystopian perspective and hopes to have a quality storyline to accompany its stylistic visuals.

However, due to the book’s unique narrative, it may be difficult to adapt into a quality story for the big screen.

The book reads like a United Nations report and operates without a concrete lead protagonist.

Still, I have faith in the project and believe that “World War Z” will impress audiences worldwide.

The Way, Way Back

I had to put at least one independent film on this list.

“The Way, Way Back” brings something that so few summer films have anymore—heart.

Not chick-flick, Channing Tatum loves Rachel McAdams heart, but genuine non-Hallmark heart.

This teen coming of age story with a notable cast for an independent film gives a break to those who are sick of seeing things blowup and rattling their eardrums from all the gunfire and intergalactic battles they’ll see in the other theatres.