08-03-2011, 08:47 AM
Actually ...
I just saw the tailer for Battleship today at the cinema (in front of Cowboys & Aliens, more on that momentarily) and it actually looks like a lot of fun. When Hasbro first announced a film based upon their game, but with aliens, I thought we had finally seen the Fall of Western Civilization. Battleship the movie -- are they kidding? However, the trailer looks pretty good, and it boasts a pretty good cast. A "B" film? Sure, but it could turn out to be better than I had feared.
And speaking of a film being better than feared, Cowboys And Aliens.
Yes, the title alone would could one pause, but in fact this is a "B" film with an "A" list cast and a script which is much better than a "B" film usually enjoys. There has been much carping by critics that this concept is too thin to support a 2-hour feature film, but I disagree. I think there is enough good work here to keep most people entertained. In fact, even before the aliens appear, the film works as a pretty good Western.
Of course, what the aliens do is stand in for the traditional villains -- the Native Americans. In post Dances With Wolves, Black Robe, Last Of The Mohicans, using Native Americans as villains just doesn't work. So aliens instead.
This is the same logic behind the films Skyline and Battle Los Angeles. You want a film featuring an invasion in modern America but who can you use as the invaders that won't upset a potential audience? (A very critical question considering most Hollywood films now make the lion's share of their box office haul outside of the US.)
Nazis used to be the villain de jour (and still are) and there are always Zombies (or better still Nazi Zombies). After all, how likely its it that the Nazis will boycott your film? And even if they did you could use that as good advertising to drive up your box office totals. The problem is, Nazis and Zombies have been used to death (so to speak). Besides, Cowboys And Nazis just doesn't have the same ring to it. But Cowboys And Aliens ... Like Dinosaurs And Cadillacs, you can't go wrong.
So, with Aliens stealing the gold and kidnapping town folk and Indians at will, the film is off to the races.
Although director (Jon Favreau) has said he does not favor the heavy use of CGI, preferring instead to use "practical" effects, he has never the less engaged the services of ILM and the quality shows.
All in all, a fun afternoon at the cinema -- the air con was cold, the popcorn was hot, and the film was fun. Who could ask for more.
:wink:
Narukami
I just saw the tailer for Battleship today at the cinema (in front of Cowboys & Aliens, more on that momentarily) and it actually looks like a lot of fun. When Hasbro first announced a film based upon their game, but with aliens, I thought we had finally seen the Fall of Western Civilization. Battleship the movie -- are they kidding? However, the trailer looks pretty good, and it boasts a pretty good cast. A "B" film? Sure, but it could turn out to be better than I had feared.
And speaking of a film being better than feared, Cowboys And Aliens.
Yes, the title alone would could one pause, but in fact this is a "B" film with an "A" list cast and a script which is much better than a "B" film usually enjoys. There has been much carping by critics that this concept is too thin to support a 2-hour feature film, but I disagree. I think there is enough good work here to keep most people entertained. In fact, even before the aliens appear, the film works as a pretty good Western.
Of course, what the aliens do is stand in for the traditional villains -- the Native Americans. In post Dances With Wolves, Black Robe, Last Of The Mohicans, using Native Americans as villains just doesn't work. So aliens instead.
This is the same logic behind the films Skyline and Battle Los Angeles. You want a film featuring an invasion in modern America but who can you use as the invaders that won't upset a potential audience? (A very critical question considering most Hollywood films now make the lion's share of their box office haul outside of the US.)
Nazis used to be the villain de jour (and still are) and there are always Zombies (or better still Nazi Zombies). After all, how likely its it that the Nazis will boycott your film? And even if they did you could use that as good advertising to drive up your box office totals. The problem is, Nazis and Zombies have been used to death (so to speak). Besides, Cowboys And Nazis just doesn't have the same ring to it. But Cowboys And Aliens ... Like Dinosaurs And Cadillacs, you can't go wrong.
So, with Aliens stealing the gold and kidnapping town folk and Indians at will, the film is off to the races.
Although director (Jon Favreau) has said he does not favor the heavy use of CGI, preferring instead to use "practical" effects, he has never the less engaged the services of ILM and the quality shows.
All in all, a fun afternoon at the cinema -- the air con was cold, the popcorn was hot, and the film was fun. Who could ask for more.
:wink:
Narukami
David Reinke
Burbank CA
Burbank CA
