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05/01/2008: "Gonna Rock - Or Gonna Suck"
When it comes to movies, I'm a pretty simple guy. I don't need messages, or philosophy, or star power - I just need entertainment. However, since entertainment doesn't seem to be a key element for most Hollywood films these days, I don't see many of them. There are, however, two that are about to be released that just might get my dollars.
As a kid, cartoons ruled my world. But I wasn't a Mickey Mouse / Bugs Bunny kind of guy - I liked the bold ones. I loved the old Spiderman and Fantastic Four adaptations of the Marvel comic books, even when they weren't particularly faithful to the original. But hey - I was a kid, what did I know.
Eventually, the big studios came knocking to do movie versions of those same comics, with mixed results. Because the Marvel folks didn't control the studio decisions, sometimes the product bore little resemblance to the original product. But they did make everyone a fat stack of cash, and it's amazing what a little money can do to a guilty conscience.
Eventually, though, Marvel realized they had enough leverage to produce their own movies, and, presumably, control the product. Their first effort is Ironman, which will hit theaters tomorrow. To say there's a lot on the line here is an understatement - but I don't think they have to worry.
Ironman is the story of weapons maker Tony Stark and his conversion from big ego / no conscience to man of the people. Normally, they bring in a nobody to play the hero, opting to spend the $$$ on special effects. In a great casting twist, though, Marvel brought in someone who really understands the idea of personal change - Robert Downey Jr. Add to that his great ability to squeeze the most out of the least, and he should make an awesome Stark. Based on the trailers released so far, this movie should rock.
And then there's Speed Racer. One of the first Japanese cartoons I can remember from my childhood (right after "Kimba the White Lion"), the story of the Racer clan had me from the get-go. It, too, is coming to the big screen, courtesy of the group that brought you the "Matrix" movies. From what I've seen so far, though, I think they're going to miss the point.
What made Speed Racer work was that while it took incredible liberties with life (where can I get a job like Speed's - running around the world doing nothing but racing without so much as a sponsor) - not to mention physics (hello? Mach 5? Can I get a car like that?), it was at least based in reality. Heck, the idea of Speed Racer was no less likely than, say, a group of teens and a talking dog running around in a green van solving mysteries, right? But it's clear that the movie version is going to be special effects-heavy, and looks like watching the Indy 500 on acid.
My prediction? Ironman is going to be a huge hit, pulling in Marvel fans, action fans, and Downey fans. It should easily open at #1 - the only question will be how big and how long will it last. Speed Racer, on the other hand, will probably have a big initial opening - unless IM is still going strong - but will likely get bad reviews and not last.
