Some movies, no matter how hard studios try, are just not well-loved by viewers. Whether it be a prequel like Batman V Superman, these movies just cannot be as well ed by audiences. However, there are moments, usually just one throughout the film, that remains well loved by audiences.
That does not mean that those movies can't have that one stroke of genius though. Even the most underwhelming movies can have that one great moment that leaves audiences on the edge of their seats or on the floor in stitches. These scenes stood above and beyond the rest of their movies.
No Man's Land, The King's Man
The King's Man was a prequel to the satirical Kingsman spy series that never quite decided how seriously to take itself. The film is set during World War I and features many real historical figures. It takes a dark tonal shift about halfway in when one of the central characters is recruited for a mission into No Man's Land during a battle.
As the squad moves under the cover of night, they run into a German patrol. Knowing any sound will trigger a deadly crossfire, both sides agree to lay down their weapons and fight hand to hand instead. The fight is high stakes, brutal, and nearly silent until one of them fires their gun, bringing down a hail of bullets from both trenches. It is a brilliant moment of tension in an otherwise tonally inconsistent movie.
Life of a Bullet, Lord of War
The Nicholas Cage starring Lord of War centered on the international weapons trade. It is far from a bad movie but it doesn't quite stick its landing. It has garnered some serious praise for its opening sequence, however, about the life of a bullet.
Set to Buffalo Springfield's chill "For What It's Worth", the scene follows a single bullet as it journeys from the factory around the world from Russia to Africa. Along the way the bullet is dropped, inspected, loaded, and eventually fired into a child soldier. It is a clever concept that is implemented well, and the ending still packs quite a gut punch.
The Warehouse Fight, Batman V Superman
Fans have debated who would win in a fight between Batman and Superman since the characters first met. The way Batman V Superman settled this argument divided audiences, but one scene did do a fantastic job of capturing Batman's incredible fighting ability.
At the end of the film, Batman must save Superman's mother from a warehouse full of Lex Luthor's henchmen. What follows is one of the best depictions of Batman's fighting style ever put to screen. Batman dispatches the villains with a mix of gadgetry and martial arts reminiscent of the incredible Arkham video game series. The movie may have been polarizing, but this scene is almost universally praised.
Ghost Sex, MacGruber
Outside of Wayne's World, MacGruber was no exception to this. It does have some funny lines, but nothing comes close to when MacGruber visits his late wife's grave.
While paying his respects, MacGruber sees the ghost of his deceased wife Casey and the two engage in a ionate but incredibly cheesy love scene. Soon the scene shifts to the reality of the situation, where MacGruber is just thrusting naked in the middle of the cemetery, much to the horror of a night watchman. The sudden cut and MacGruber's strange grunts are easily the funniest scenes in the movie.
First Person Shooting, DOOM
The vast majority of movies based on video games have not been well received by fans or critics. 2005's DOOM adaptation didn't break this trend, but it did have one scene that moviegoers still fondly. The most memorable moment shifts to a first-person perspective just like in the games.
Viewers watch through the eyes of the protagonist as he battles his way through the demon-filled base, blasting and sawing demons apart with whatever weapons he can find. The scene features some impressive cinematography and some satisfyingly cool action. It is almost a shame the whole movie wasn't like this.
The Holdo Maneuver, Star Wars: The Last Jedi
Even by Star Wars standards, The Last Jedi was wildly divisive. Some fans appreciated its bold decision to change what had been set up in the previous film, while many decried it for being too different. Regardless of its reception or impact, the film features some spectacular cinematography.
Towards the end of the film, the rebel flagship is cornered by the First Order. After evacuating everyone, iral Holdo turns to face them. Instead of fighting, she jumps to hyperspace, ripping through the star destroyers in a moment that is both satisfying and beautifully shot. It is arguably the coolest shot in the entire sequel trilogy.
The Final Train Chase, The Lone Ranger
Disney's recent adaptation of The Lone Ranger was a huge flop, partially due to some very controversial casting choices. Despite this, the movie has some great action set pieces, especially in its climactic battle across two speeding trains.
Tonto and the Ranger hop between the two trains and horseback to save the innocent people trapped aboard and stop the bad guys. The scene is pure swashbuckling fun that captures the feel of a Saturday morning cartoon crossed with a Pirates of the Caribbean movie. Add in the iconic score and this sequence is an absolute blast to watch.
The Tall Grass, The Lost World: Jurassic Park
It would have been hard for any film to live up to the high standard set by Jurassic Park. The Lost World didn't quite reach that standard, but it did have several great moments that kept it entertaining. The best of these moments is when a group of hunters learn why they should avoid the tall grass.
Ignoring the warnings of their comrade, the hunters venture into a huge field of chest-high grass, disturbing a pack of velociraptors. An overhead shot reveals several trails pushing through the grass towards the hapless hunters, and soon they are picked off one by one. The scene perfectly captures how smart and scary the raptors can be.
Sinking Beckett, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End
At World's End was not a bad movie, but it failed to reach the heights of the first two installments. The third act however is exciting, funny, and easily the best part of the film. After defeating Davy Jones in a maelstrom, The Black Pearl and the Flying Dutchman team up to finish off the film's other villain, Lord Cutler Beckett.
The ships line up along either side of Beckett's flagship and open fire. As the ship is torn apart in slow motion, Beckett calmly strolls down the deck. Cannonballs and wood splinters fly around him as he accepts his fate before his body lands in the flag of the company he had created. It is surprisingly artful and one of the series' best scenes.
Gwen Stacy's Death, The Amazing Spider-Man 2
The Amazing Spider-Man 2 has received a lot of criticism for its overstuffed plot, but everyone who watched the movie re the now-iconic scene in the clock tower. During a fight with the new Green Goblin, Gwen Stacy is thrown down the shaft of the tower.
Spider-Man dives through the machinery after her in a desperate, slow-motion attempt to catch her. A web fires towards her, taking the shape of a hand desperately reaching out for her. The web catches her just in time, but the sudden stop breaks her neck and she dies anyway. The moment is devastating but is a phenomenally executed scene in an otherwise messy movie.
