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Big Openings: June 20,
2008
By Myles
Hughes
The TV Show
adaptation Get Smart opens this weekend...
An
old spy spoof is re-imagined. Mike Myers returns from the dead. Abigail
Breslin continues to take all the roles Dakota Fanning used to get. And
Iron Man just broke $300 million. All that and more, this week at
the movies.
GET SMART
Starring: Steve Carell, Anne Hathaway, Dwayne Johnson, Alan Arkin,
and Terrence Stamp
Synopsis: After evil corporation KAOS compromises the identities
of U.S. spy agency Control’s top field agents, an eager analyst is
called upon to join the fight against world terror.
Critics: Ah, who doesn’t remember the late Don Adams and his
humorous turn as bumbling secret agent Maxwell Smart? A large percentage
of the new film’s target audience, that’s who. Get Smart has the
unenviable task of hearkening to the nostalgia of the older viewers who
remember the show, entertaining the contemporary younger audience, and
ensuring that a good time is had by all. Critical consensus indicates
that while there are cameos abound and plenty of inside jokes, and Steve
Carell turns on his trademark dopey charm, the movie as a whole is
lacking a certain comedic direction. Though there are still a few good
laughs here and there, there is a sense that the filmmakers missed the
point of why the show was so funny.
Oscar Potential: Not a chance.
Verdict: If you’re a Steve Carell fan, you may find some
entertainment to be had here. It’s not like there’s a surplus of great
comedies at the multiplex at the moment.
THE LOVE GURU
Starring: Mike Myers, Jessica Alba, Justin Timberlake, Romany
Malco, and Ben Kingsley
Synopsis: The second-greatest self-help guru in all of India
comes to help a hockey star win his wife back.
Critics: Mr. Myers apparently spent five years working on the
character he portrays here, but if the early word is to be believed, the
Guru Pitka comes off as more of a SNL skit stretched out to movie
length. There’s a truckload of self-help B.S., sex jokes, jokes about
bodily functions, and poor Verne Troyer (Mini Me from Austin Powers)
is the butt of a metric ton of midget jokes. With the exception of
Myers, clearly having a ball, and some scene-stealing turns by Justin
Timberlake and Stephen Colbert, the cast has little to offer, and the
script has even less. According to L.A. Times writer Tom O’Neil, this
film could be an early frontrunner for Worst Picture at this year’s
Razzies.
Oscar Potential: Hey, if Norbit can sneak in there for
Makeup, anything is possible…
Verdict: Unless you still find sophomoric toilet jokes amusing,
I’d suggest skipping it.
KIT KITTREDGE: AN AMERICAN GIRL
Starring: Abigail Breslin, Chris O’Donnell, Julia Ormond, Joan
Cusack, and Stanley Tucci
Synopsis: A young, aspiring writer living in Depression Era
Cincinnati looks to solve a recent crime spree and clear the names of
some friendly hobos. Based on the American Girl book series.
Critics: Perhaps the more critically successful of this week’s
releases, Kit Kittredge has been praised for being a very well
made kid flick with realism and resonance for the accompanying parents
as well. Another winning performance from Abigail Breslin drives the
film, along with a host of strong supporting characters. Though the
appeal may not initially reach beyond the American Girl fanbase and
associated family members, many suggest that this film has the potential
to please almost any female moviegoer, and a large number of the male
demographic as well.
Oscar Potential: I’d be surprised.
Verdict: A pleasant surprise for fans of the books or of Ms.
Breslin, anyone with any interest in seeing the film should rest assured
that it seems to be worth their buck.
Also worth checking out
if you haven’t already:
THE INCREDIBLE HULK – It may be little more than a big, loud,
action film, but it’s a damn good one, and it does exactly what it sets
out to do with skill and panache.
IRON MAN – It just broke $300 million, so if you didn’t
contribute to that and you have even the slightest interest in seeing
it, then get down there while the going is good.
FORGETTING SARAH MARSHALL – If this week’s slate doesn’t quite
stake your comedic lust, this Apatow offering will do you in a pinch.
Coming soon:
WALL-E – Kung Fu Panda is riding high on the animated tent
pole at the moment. It’s almost time for Pixar’s latest to show off what
it’s made of.
HELLBOY II: THE GOLDEN ARMY – The nice mid-summer release
suggests this sequel will be more of a blockbuster crowd-pleaser than a
spring curiosity like the first entry.
PINEAPPLE EXPRESS – The trailer promises the same brand of comedy
that has made the Judd Apatow label so successful.
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