Bye bye exams, hello blockbusters - from Star Wars: The Last Jedi to Thor: Ragnarok, here are the 2017 movies to look forward to

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By YP cadets Oscar Fung and NIcholas Lumley-Smith
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By YP cadets Oscar Fung and NIcholas Lumley-Smith |
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Looking forward to some popcorn and a flick? Look no further.

Exams are coming to a close, and (hopefully) your lives are starting to feel more like your own again. With your textbooks set aside (not in the bin, please), what better way to celebrate freedom than with a trip to the cinema with your friends? Here are the action films we’re looking forward to seeing this year – and when we can see them in Hong Kong.

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales – May 26

Fans of Captain Jack Sparrow have been desperately waiting for a new Pirates movie and now it’s finally here. Jack’s terrifying enemy, Captain Salazar, escapes the Devil’s Triangle and is determined to destroy every single pirate at sea. Jack embarks on a new adventure to seek out the Trident of Poseidon – the only weapon with the power to control the sea and defeat the baddest of bad guys. Expect lots of action and fight sequences involving pirates (obviously) and monsters.

The Mummy – June 8

With mega stars Tom Cruise and Russell Crowe locked in, this movie can’t go wrong. In this latest instalment, the Mummy is female and a healthy mix of demon and princess. Main character Nick Morton (Cruise) gives us a shock at the start as he wakes up in a body bag next to other dead bodies. Is the hero dead from the start? Does the Mummy revive him? Find out with your friends ... if you dare!

Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets – July 21

Arguably the most important action and sci-fi movie of the year, this is based on popular French comic Valerian and Laureline. This is the big daddy of sci-fi movies, and the stars include Dane DeHaan, Cara Delevingne, Clive Owen, Ethan Hawke, Kris Wu Yifan and even Rihanna! Before you say it copied Star Wars, get your facts right – it is universally accepted that the Star Wars movies were heavily influenced by this comic series that started in 1967.

Transformers: The Last Knight – June 23

In case you didn’t know (spoiler!), the face and hero of Transformers, Optimus Prime, is gone. Now, the key to saving the future is hidden deep in the Earth’s history. This near-impossible task falls upon an unusual partnership between Bumblebee, Cade Yeager, an Oxford professor, and an English Lord. They didn’t ask to save the world, but they have to if they want to live. This is the final part of director Michael Bay’s Transformer s series, so expect even more explosions from this summer’s number one film to watch.

Spiderman: Homecoming – July 7

Ever since Spiderman returned to Marvel’s hands (and the big screen in Civil War), fans have been asking for more. Its newest reboot stars 20-year-old Tom Holland as Peter Parker, which stays true to the original comics – many forget that Spiderman is actually younger than Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield, the guys who’ve played Spidey before. The movie only touches on the Spiderman Homecoming comic series, but that’s a good thing, because while it’s pretty interesting, it’s probably too bizarre for an onscreen adaptation.

War for the Planet of the Apes – July 13

Planet of the Apes films have always addressed politics and the society in real life – only as seen through the eyes of apes. The latest instalment is no different, and the stage is set for an epic battle between ape leader Caesar and an army of humans set on wiping out the apes. There are hints though, that this episode may not have as grim an ending as previous ones...we all know how those turned out.

Blade Runner: 2049 – October 26

The 1982 cult classic is making a comeback, and it looks like it could be just as thrilling as the original. A new blade runner (Ryan Gosling) is in town and he uncovers a secret that could end humanity, and bumps into a former blade runner (Harrison Ford). The futuristic concepts won’t be too different from what fans of the original know and love, but the new technology will no doubt stun audiences. Plus, who can resist a movie led by Gosling and Ford?

Thor: Ragnarok – November 3

The God of Thunder returns (hammerless) after a painful absence, but it looks like the wait will have been worth it. Usual scene-stealers Chris Hemsworth and Tom Hiddleston are at it again, but this time in a more colourful setting than what we’re used to. There’s a slight 70s or 80s sci-fi fantasy vibe, a nice fit for the new direction that Thor is headed. Oh, and look forward to a duel between old friends Thor and the Hulk!

Justice League – November 17

Fans are looking to put the disappointing Batman v Superman film behind them as they prepare for one of the most anticipated films of the year. Batman joins a dream team consisting of Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Cyborg and The Flash to fight threats. However, it may already be too late as they face the catastrophic threat of Steppenwolf and his army of Parademons. Expect plenty of action as well as laughs from the quirky new gang.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi – December 15

Once again, we head to a galaxy far, far away for the hotly anticipated second instalment in the new Star Wars trilogy. Netizens are wracking their brains trying to figure out who the last Jedi is. Could it be Luke, Rey, Kylo Ren, Snoke, or will there be a totally mindblowing twist? We are already familiar with the cast from The Force Awakens and Rogue One, but this will include Star Wars legends Mark Hamill and the late Carrie Fisher. It’s Star Wars – we don’t need to tell you to get hyped!

Edited by Andrew McNicol

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