| For years now, people have been bemoaning the lack of creativity coming out of Hollywood. Over the last few years, remakes and sequels have dominated the theatres and that’s not about to change this summer blockbuster season. For the next few months, moviegoers will be treated to an onslaught of either stories they already know, or conclusions to stories that didn’t really require them. But before you rush to condemn the sequel parade, perhaps we should take a look at some of the recent original films to gain some perspective.
The most common current film idea – and therefore inherently unoriginal – is the animated talking animal vehicle. Usually, this takes a group of comically mismatched animals either from the big city to the country or vice versa (you could also throw in a zoo every now and then). This summer’s two offerings in that category are Over the Hedge and The Wild. Not to be confused, of course, with last year’s Madagascar. This is basically a replay of the Antz/A Bug’s Life fiasco of a few years back, when those two films were released within months of each other. It’s hard to imagine that such similar films could be released one after the other, but hey, at least these are original films, right?
Another all-too-familiar approach to original movie ideas is what’s known as the special interest film. These movies are directed at audiences so specific that it’s a wonder they ever made it to wide release. It all started back in 2002 with the release of Drumline, an unfortunate film about a marching band drummer that will be most remembered for its intense (read: hilarious) "drum-off" scenes. There’s nothing like competitive drumming to send chills down your spine. Later that year came the surfing movie Blue Crush, a film about girls in bikinis that somehow did not star Jessica Alba. Things only got worse from there, with 2004’s breakdancing film You Got Served – basically Drumline without drums – and this year’s gymnastics flick Stick It. Not a single one of these movies appealed to anyone outside its specific demographic, and they all died a horrible death at the box office, yet they keep getting made.
Sure, all of the movies listed above are ridiculous, but there’s one movie due at the end of this summer that takes the cake. This one movie will put all other "original" films to shame (while simultaneously doing the same to itself). On August 18, prepare yourselves for – Snakes on a Plane. I am not making this up. For a rundown of the plot, read the title again. This has all the makings of a terrific B-movie, the only problem is that it is getting the wide release and press coverage of a genuine action flick. And what’s worse? Where Bruce Campbell should be, we get bona fide leading man Samuel L. Jackson as the main character. The worst thing that Snakes could do is take itself seriously, and that appears to be exactly what it’s doing.
With all that in mind, maybe it’s time we started embracing the countless sequels headed our way. Yes, there are a lot of unnecessary ones headed to theatres, but instead of being doomed to watch movies about spelling bees and airborne reptiles, at least we can finally find out what Miami Vice will look like on the big screen. And aren’t you dying to know what the gang from Clerks is up to 12 years later? If not, you’re in for a long summer. |
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