Trailer Review: WRATH OF THE TITANS

Let's brake this down like a fraction.

The remake of Clash of the Titans showed great promise. Capitalizing on the success of the original classic as well as its stop motion monster animation that is about as famous as the movie, it should not have been hard to screw up right? The remake trailer had a kick ass alternative song to it, striking CGI and just the feeling that you were going to feel every punch in this movie. However the movie we got was a very hollow shell of a remake that could have been a pretty neat epic. The effects were top notch, but the characters and the story just felt like an ESPN highlight reel.

So do I really want to see another one?

The Wrath trailer continues its predecessor's style with the addition of more extensive CGI for the use of 3D. Believe it or not its the 3D that has me wanting to see this movie. Some movies throw the 3D tag on the marquee solely for the purposes of robbing you of a few extra bucks. But Wrath looks as though its going to use the 3D to its fullest which I actually appreciate more. If your going to do 3D, make it worth it; either do the whole James Cameron thing where it adds a depth of field to the surroundings in movie or just put me in the action in a fun, creative, big popcorn movie way!

I'm really happy to see Liam Neeson back as Zeus and Ralph Finnes as Hades, those to actors add of level of majesty to their God alter egos that makes watching them on screen more fun. Director Jonathan Liebesman's last film Battle: Los Angeles was not really loved that much by most people, I'll admit the soldier banter felt very forced and unnatural but the staging of the action sequences were great. It had the feeling of a documentary/POV movie, but didn't get all Cloverfield on you. This is what the trailer for Wrath of the Titans does for me; it looks like the action will be over the place but I'm hoping its contained to the point where despite the panic we know what's going on and who is where and doing what in said action sequence.


I predict one of two things will happen with Wrath.

A. The 3D will be so good that it will allow you to get more into the action and thus making you care more about what's happening to the characters and its better fleshed out story line.

or

B. The amount of stuff being thrown at you is a tool being used so that you don't notice that there is absolutely no story and character development going on at all.

I'm inclined to go with the latter, but as of right now, this movie looks so ridiculous that for me I'm ready to get on that winged horse and fly through skies prepared for battle! If you liked the first movie, obviously your going to see it, but if your not sure, I say save your money and do a matinee. If you are curious enough to pay full price I say go all the way and do it big in IMAX 3D.

Wrath of the Titans attempts to shove a lighting bolt up your ass on March 30th, 2012


Dueces!
StuntmanBob

New Trailer: CONAN: THE BARBARIAN

Briefly this trailer looks like there's something missing. There is so much action going but not even a sense of a plot. Now, you might be asking yourself; "Bobby, is this a movie your really looking at to have a descent story?" This simple answer is no, but at the same time, give me something! There are some very mediocre visual effects that are only there because the movie is in 3D. LAME!

Jason Momoa who stars as Conan really is not selling me on the weight that, that name carries with it, yes he's big, but other than that I didn't get chills down my spine when he said he'd follow an enemy into hell.

Another disappointing factor in this trailer is that it doesn't feel like a Marcus Nipsel directed movie. Now, say what you will about the remakes of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Friday the 13th, but those Marcus Nipsel directed films had a really great tone and texture that I was really hoping would be in Conan, but its no where to be found.

Check out the trailer and let us know what you think. Conan is in theaters August 19 2011

Dueces!
StuntmanBob

"Its So UN-FLUFFY!!!" Despicable Me Trailer Review

Despicable Me comes from the Executive Producers of the Ice Age series which I'm a fan of and needless to say, I have a bone to pick with trailer(s) that advertise this movie.

Earlier in the week, I was listening to the Slashfilm Podcast in their after dark series. Which is the show after the show, and they were having a very interesting conversation about watching trailers. Now although I didn't agree with somethings that were being said, I appreciate the fact that they really got into talking about trailers as a whole. The conversation encompassed teaser trailers to full length trailers. How good they are. How much information they give away. How sometimes they don't do a movie justice. Etc.

This movie has so many trailers that its just confusing. I remember the first teaser for this movie had the main character, Gru, trying to get over this big ass wall. This was the home of his arch enemy, but his attempts were always being foiled by the extensive security system that was running. Nothing impressive, but it was what a teaser does; gives you a taste of what to expect. A clever battle of wits and technology between to evildoers seemed pretty awesome.

Next we were subjected to even smaller tv spot like teaser trailers with these little yellow thumb looking, overall wearing creatures as the advertisement for the movie. These..."things" literally looked design rejects for SpongeBob SquarePants. They were funny for a minute but just got real played out.

Coincidentally, on Father's Day weekend, a full trailer for the movie is finally released and we get an entirely different mood. One where Gru is trying to be bad but now has to assume a father-like role in taking care of three girls that are thrust upon him. This to me just felt like it came out of no where and it feels a little misplaced. Now this movie which started off looking like an interesting way to look into the world of villainy, care of some slick animation, has turned into a "Series of Unfortunate Events" for Gru, PUN INTENDED.

The cast for this as well as all animation films are very impressive, Steve Carell voices Gru and the supporting cast is Jason Segal, Russel Brand Kristen Wiig, Miranda cosgrove, Will Arnett, Danny McBride, Jack McBrayer, and Julie Andrews.

I like Steve Carrell, he always adds this sense of awkwardness that I think audiences can relate with. But why does Gru sound Russian? Is he Russian? He just sounds like a sober version of the Russian Cosmonaut in Armageddon. And what the hell is up with the Uncle Fester look? I might be knit picking but that's bugging me too. Are the filmmakers trying to make him sound like a terrorist type villain? I mean he is planning to steal the moon. So yea? Alright I feel if I go on I'll just get more picky so I'll finish up.

This movie, as with everything on the planet is being given the 3D treatment. (sigh). Looks like I'll be going to the 2D showing. The only saving grace for me is this trailer is the little girl who is gonna die cause "ITS SO FLUFFY!". Give me an entire movie about her, cause as of right now, I don't really care for anyone in this trailer other than her.

As always the final review will be when the credits roll and house lights come up.

Dueces!
StuntmanBob

The Last Airbender Trailer Review

Could this movie make M. Night Shymalan "Unbreakable" again?

The last time Shyamalan did a movie he and his kids where over the hill about was Lady in the Water. That movie got put through the ringer critically, but I personally enjoyed it. It was the first time that he was delving into something that was fantastical and if you looked at it with those eyes then I think it worked. This trailer looks like he's taking a bigger step into that world and it feels great to me! The whole trailer feels like Night is standing up before all of us and saying "I'm Back!"

This is the first time that Night hasn't originally created something that we are about to see on screen. Although he's written this movie as well, or adapted it, The Last Airbender is based of a popular nickelodeon cartoon. This series from what I gather is about these four nations that represent the four elements; Air, Fire, Earth, Water. The Air nation is said to be extinct for sometime until new-comer actor Noah Ringer who plans Aang comes along. Aang is said to be the last of the Airbenders and the one destined to save the other nations from the destructive force of the Fire nation and restore everything to a balance.

Has a certain Star Wars feel to it, No? ( I may have just committed blasphemy there, but don't tell me you didn't see the comparison in some aspect.)

Although there have been epic looking movies like this in the past, this is the first time since Lord of the Rings that it feels like something fresh and worth getting invested in, as opposed to the same 'ole thing. I think what helps is that this doesn't feel like an M.Night Shymalan movie. Its exciting in a way, cause I know that personally I wanna see him come back and wreck shit!

Some of his past works include The Sixth Sense, Signs, and Unbreakable. All of those movies have a certain pace to them and it showed in their trailers. I see Shymalan trying to break out of his comfort zone with this and bring us something that looks more mainstream, but with his new found signature on it.

The CGI effects look very impressive too and also looked used well in terms of telling the story and it doesn't feel like cool looking shit will be there just because ILM (Industrial Light and Magic) is at his disposal. The movie is produced by Frank Marshall and Kathleen Kennedy who are no strangers to adventure, having produced the Indiana Jones trilogy and that 4th one too. This trailer instills in me the adventure, spectacle, and effects I wish Prince of Persia could have come closed too. Fuckin' Prince of Persia.. urg!!

Now enough with all this praising shit! lets get to the nitty gritty. 2 things. GO!

Speaking of trilogies this movie is said to be the first in a proposed trilogy. I think one challenge that Shymalan faces is the hope that his adaption of this property transfers well to screen to audiences that are not familiar with the subject matter like myself. Story and character wise, but with Frank Marshall and Kathleen Kennedy aboard, it eases my fear a bit.

My second fear, beef, call it what you will, is that this movie is being up-converted to 3D. Oh Jesus, God, No. Seeing the rise of movie up-conversions to the 3D, post Avatar, is sickening. When movies are actually shot with 3D in mind and with 3D cameras it completely works and I'm for it. But if its to make a few extra bucks and help box office, its then that I'm feeling robbed!

Shymalan is said to be very strict with what is done with his movies, so when the news broke that The Last Airbender would be in 3D everyone was surprised he was okay with it. Apparently the producers had always intended to release in 3D, they had just been looking for a very good up-conversion company. And there you have it.

With the grand ness and effects 3D would certainly look to help deepen the world we are being introduced to but until I hear some news on how it looks in 3D, its 2D all the way for me! As always the final review of this trailer/movie will be when the lights come up and the credits roll.

The Last Airbender hits theaters July 1st. 2010

Dueces!
StuntmanBob