Get ready to be bombarded by hopeful box office hits |
BY ANDREW LEHMAN |
|
As the temperature rises, so will the numbers at the box office as millions of Americans will take to the theater to cool off and relax during the long, lazy days of summer. Perhaps one of the most anticipated films of the summer is John Woo's "Mission: Impossible 2." Due out in May, "M: I-2" was originally supposed to be released last June but was delayed due to production problems. The plot is sketchy at best, but one hopes that this film will be easier to understand than its predecessor. And if not, John Woo directed the film, so the fight scenes will be incredible. Next up is Ridley Scott's "Gladiator." Hollywood has gone nearly 40 years without a Roman epic that has captured the spirit and essence of the once great Roman Empire. It appears that Scott has brought back the Roman epic in "Gladiator." Scott enlisted the help of Academy Award nominee Russell Crowe to bring the story to life. The film is centered on Crowe's character Maximus who was a great general of the Roman army. He is betrayed by the son of Emperor Marcus Aurelius, and Maximus seeks revenge by becoming the greatest hero in all of Rome. Disney's new film "Dinosaur" looks like one of the most visually appealing films of the summer. The film was shot with live-action backgrounds and the dinosaurs were digitally added later. The film is centered on an Iguanadon that was raised by lemurs. Sounds a little far fetched, but, hey, it's Disney. The Iguanadon eventually reunites with his own kind and helps a group of misfits reach the dinosaurs' nesting place. It sounds like "The Land Before Time" but without all the songs. Disney is also releasing "Fantasia 2000," which was shown in limited release at selected Imax Theaters early this year, to theaters in June. The film features several wonderful pieces of animation including animation set to Stravinsky's "Firebird Suite." "Fantasia 2000" also features the classic "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" featuring everyone's favorite mouse. "Battlefield Earth," which stars John Travolta as an alien that resembles a Klingon, could be one of the summer's box office flops. Though the special effects look amazing, one wonders how the filmmakers will make Travolta 9 feet tall and weigh 600 pounds, the height and weight of his character from the book this film is based upon. Granted, Travolta put on a few pounds for "Michael," but I'm not sure how he will pull this one off. Earth is a wasteland a band of humans is trying to reclaim.It is an interesting premise, but we all saw what relying heavily on special effects did for "Star Wars Episode I." Jar Jar Binks. Need I say more. Jerry Bruchheimer's latest money-making endeavor is "Gone in Sixty Seconds." The film stars Nicolas Cage and Angelina Jolie as car thieves. The trailer for this film is slightly annoying and Robert Duvall seems to be a bit over the top, but the film will find an audience just as every other Bruckheimer produced film has. All and all, the summer film scene looks promising. There is action, adventure, drama and comedy. There is a little something for the movie lover in everyone this summer.
| |