Wednesday, June 04, 2008
The Summer of the Sequel...
It has often been said that there are no good ideas in Hollywood anymore. After looking through this summer's slate of forthcoming releases, I'm starting to agree with those who think that. Let's take a look at a few...
The Incredible Hulk- First off, they already made this movie in 2003, and it was patently awful. That was probably due to the fact that they had a Chinese art film director helming an American comic book action movie. This one looks more promising due to the fact that Ed Norton is more Bannerlike than Eric Bana, and having the guy who directed the Transporter doing it allows for a better understanding of the source material. So pretend the first movie never happened and go see it.
Get Smart- A Mel Brooks movie as reimagined by the guys who wrote Failure to Launch? I'll pass.
Hellboy 2- Another Comic movie, this should answer all those questions left hanging at the end of the first Hellboy.
Mamma Mia- When running out of ideas, hit up Broadway. Meryl Streep, the daughter from Big Love, and tons of Abba tunes. The Broadway snobs will avoid it, but the campiness will prove to be so much catnip for your average Abba fan.
The Dark Knight- Finally a sequel, I actually want to see. Chris Nolan's reimagining of this franchise kicked the spandex and neon Schuamcher stench right out of the Caped Crusader. While it's unfortunate that Heath Ledger's passing has cast something of a pallor over this film, it is good that his final performance is destined to be iconic.
The X-Files: I want to believe- An X-Files sequel? That is so last millenium. I might have wanted to see this movie...in 1999. Now I am just appalled at the unabashed cash grab that this is by Fox. Seriously, 10 years between movies, why don't I call up my high school sweetheart while I'm at it and see if she's still interested, sheesh.
The Mummy:Tomb of the Emperor- At least Universal only waited 7 years to make this pointless sequel. Apparently Brendan Fraser needed the money. No Rachel Weisz and no Steve Sommers on board, screams rental to me.
Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants 2- Magic jeans return! Weeee! My kingdom for an original movie in the summer.
Tropic Thunder- Finally an original summer movie idea. Ben Stiller, Jack Black and Robert Downey Jr. in black face. Plus a Tom Cruise cameo(maybe he'll wax poetic on the wonders of scientology), comedy, drama, a hard R rating and a fine cast. Whats not to like?
A humorous fighting force.
The Incredible Hulk- First off, they already made this movie in 2003, and it was patently awful. That was probably due to the fact that they had a Chinese art film director helming an American comic book action movie. This one looks more promising due to the fact that Ed Norton is more Bannerlike than Eric Bana, and having the guy who directed the Transporter doing it allows for a better understanding of the source material. So pretend the first movie never happened and go see it.
Get Smart- A Mel Brooks movie as reimagined by the guys who wrote Failure to Launch? I'll pass.
Hellboy 2- Another Comic movie, this should answer all those questions left hanging at the end of the first Hellboy.
Mamma Mia- When running out of ideas, hit up Broadway. Meryl Streep, the daughter from Big Love, and tons of Abba tunes. The Broadway snobs will avoid it, but the campiness will prove to be so much catnip for your average Abba fan.
The Dark Knight- Finally a sequel, I actually want to see. Chris Nolan's reimagining of this franchise kicked the spandex and neon Schuamcher stench right out of the Caped Crusader. While it's unfortunate that Heath Ledger's passing has cast something of a pallor over this film, it is good that his final performance is destined to be iconic.
The X-Files: I want to believe- An X-Files sequel? That is so last millenium. I might have wanted to see this movie...in 1999. Now I am just appalled at the unabashed cash grab that this is by Fox. Seriously, 10 years between movies, why don't I call up my high school sweetheart while I'm at it and see if she's still interested, sheesh.
The Mummy:Tomb of the Emperor- At least Universal only waited 7 years to make this pointless sequel. Apparently Brendan Fraser needed the money. No Rachel Weisz and no Steve Sommers on board, screams rental to me.
Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants 2- Magic jeans return! Weeee! My kingdom for an original movie in the summer.
Tropic Thunder- Finally an original summer movie idea. Ben Stiller, Jack Black and Robert Downey Jr. in black face. Plus a Tom Cruise cameo(maybe he'll wax poetic on the wonders of scientology), comedy, drama, a hard R rating and a fine cast. Whats not to like?
A humorous fighting force.
