The latest installment of the Riker Scale series counts down from movie #30 to #21. Check out next week for the next ten movies.
21) Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), PG, Directed by Steven Spielberg
Indiana Jones is not Star Wars, but the story of the world traveler and treasure seeker is undeniably a classic. Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) gets on the trail of the Ark of the Covenant, but he isn’t the only one in the chase.
Riker Scale Score: 94
22) Jurassic World (2015), PG-13, Directed by Colin Trevorrow
After two horrible sequels to Jurassic Park, the 2015 sequel/remake was a viable movie. It isn’t the original, but the special effects are amazing and the plot super entertaining.
Riker Scale Score: 93
23) The ABC Murders, NR, Unknown Director
Based off the Poirot novel by Agatha Christie, detective Hercule Poirot solves a series of related murders. The great novel received a terrific adaptation, a two-hour episode of the TV series.
Riker Scale Score: 93
24) 42 (2013), PG-13, Directed by Brian Helgeland
42 is the only number retired in all of baseball, and it is for good reason- Dodgers legend Jackie Robinson. This biopic is a perfect replica of the groundbreaking experience of Robinson and dives into his tense battle with racism.
Riker Scale Score: 93
25) McFarland, USA (2015), PG, Directed by Niki Caro
The best running movie by FAR. A fired football coach starts a cross country team at a California high school and builds a dynasty.
Riker Scale Score: 92
26) The Martian (2015), PG-13, Directed by Ridley Scott
We may never see a man step foot on Mars in reality, but this science fiction film brings the idea to life. An astronaut is stranded by his crew and has to survive the harsh conditions of the red planet.
Riker Scale Score: 92
27) Finding Nemo (2003), G, Directed by Andrew Stanton and Lee Unkrich
Marlin and Dory, two fish in the Great Barrier Reef, go on an adventure to find Marlin’s son, Nemo. This is a Pixar classic that is family-friendly and very rewatchable.
Riker Scale Score: 92
28) Amazing Spiderman 2 (2014), PG-13, Directed by Marc Webb
In the sequel, Peter Parker/Spiderman battles Electro and discovers more about his mysterious past. Better villains and better plot makes a better Spiderman movie.
Riker Scale Score: 92
29) Amazing Spiderman (2012), PG-13, Directed by Marc Webb
The first movie in the Amazing Spiderman series, this one established the new series as more emotionally complex and less cringe-worthy. Peter fights the Lizard to prevent city-wide toxic poisoning.
Riker Scale Score: 92
30) Ant Man (2015), PG-13, Directed by Peyton Reed
When this movie was about to hit theaters, I said it would be great, even though the idea of “Ant-Man” was ridiculed. After watching it, my expectations were justified and I was entertained.
Riker Scale Score: 91
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