10 Must-See Movies That Prioritize Style Over Substance

      Stunning visuals, amazing soundtracks, and spectacles presented with flawless polish. Who needs depth when we have these classics that prioritize style over substance?

      Cinema offers a wide array of choices. While some viewers seek films that provide intellectual stimulation, others may prefer a simple escape. In the realm of lighter cinema, there are films that place a significant emphasis on aesthetics. These movies can captivate us with beautiful visuals and energizing spectacle, all accompanied by a fantastic soundtrack and/or score enhancing the on-screen drama.

      It seems that such films might be less common nowadays, not necessarily because studios are creating more nuanced content (they’re not), but due to the era of digital filmmaking and uniform trends in cinematography and post-production work (such as grading and CGI), where few studio productions (particularly streaming originals) don’t look outright terrible. Moreover, many exceed the two-hour mark, feeling overstuffed, even if they lack emotional depth or challenging themes that justify their length.

      As a result, numerous films once seen predominantly as exercises in style have been reexamined for their artistic value. It's not that audiences have forgotten the plots; they've instead chosen simplicity and escapism. Here are some seminal examples of style over substance:

      **Days of Thunder**

      It took me a long time to watch *Days of Thunder*, as I grew up believing it was just a weak imitation of *Top Gun*, lazily rehashing that formula in a NASCAR setting. Initial reviews and box office performance were poor. Today, with *F1* nominated for Best Picture, it's clear that while *Days of Thunder* doesn't quite measure up, it's not that far behind Brad Pitt's blockbuster in terms of depth and it's certainly not excessively long.

      *Days of Thunder* is a visually stunning blockbuster that helped establish the glossy style associated with producers Bruckheimer and Simpson. Director Tony Scott had a talent for creating visually arresting scenes, even when others might overdo the haze and shadows. Each frame of *Days of Thunder* is like a painting, and the racing sequences are outstanding. Much is said about how well *Top Gun: Maverick* captured aerial scenes, and *F1* showcased racing, but it's because we've long been deprived of great practical stunts involving vehicles. Few films convey the thrill and peril of high-speed racing as effectively as *Days of Thunder* did (with *F1* being another strong contender).

      Additionally, Hans Zimmer delivers perhaps his most delightfully thumping score, steeped in 80s style (featuring Jeff Beck on guitar). The effort, artistic flair, and showmanship are evident in every creative aspect. Meanwhile, Cruise and Kidman are attractive (if not much else), Michael Rooker brings intriguing energy to his role, and the late Robert Duvall adds gravitas.

      **Flashdance**

      With a soundtrack filled with 80s hits, including its iconic main track by Irene Cara, *Flashdance* is utterly absurd. Jennifer Beals shines with her massive perm as she juggles welding by day and exotic dancing by night, dreaming of attending ballet school. Enter Michael Nouri, who, despite seeming much older, becomes the love interest.

      Adrian Lyne knew how to create style and lush visuals, and he thoroughly enjoyed making *Flashdance*, which portrays a simple underdog narrative through stunning visuals, outrageous dance sequences, and a finale that has become legendary. The film’s artistic merits were acknowledged, earning four Oscar nominations, including two for its iconic tracks, cinematography, and editing.

      **Rocky IV**

      Stallone's iconic boxing franchise began with a film that won Best Picture and garnered a screenplay nomination, along with nods for its four main cast members. As Balboa's story entered the 80s, the decade embraced style, glamour, and grand spectacle. The villains became more cartoonish, the soundtracks filled with 80s hits, and the boxing matches increasingly exaggerated, culminating in *Rocky IV*, which infused some Cold War theatrics for added flair.

      By this time, Sly distilled the plot points and character arcs to their essentials, yet somehow it worked well, making the film feel like a series of montages framed by boxing matches. The film's gorgeous cinematography captures three muscular combatants (Dolph Lundgren vs. Carl Weathers at first, and Stallone vs. Lundgren in the end). Vince DiCola took over the score from Bill Conti, and Sly embraced the period’s synth trend, resulting in an infectious soundtrack. The accompanying selections are wonderfully cheesy, and the climactic showdown between Balboa and the superhuman Drago is memorable.

      **Suspiria**

      Dario Argento's classic horror film is a vividly colorful nightmare set to a prog rock score by Goblin. The Giallo master established himself among the top visual horror auteurs, so much so that he redefined what