Spring Movie Preview 2002

Star Wars Episode II -Remember when Episode I was first planned; the giddy anticipation, the casting of legendary roles; the tremendous hype towards opening day, and the crowds of the people swarming the theatres and then the movie sucked? Well, many deluded fans (Jared) had to pretend it was a fulfilling installment in the otherwise roaringly fun saga, but at the same time, justifying to the rest of us that Episode I had to be slow or stupid or boring for this technical reason or that. We were told that the real fun comes in Episode II and III as young Anakin crosses over to the Darkside on his way to becoming Vader. From the looks of things, I'm going to wait till this one ends up on network TV (just like I did for the first). If you thought it was impossible to give a more lifeless performance than Natalie Portman's in Episode I, you would be wrong because Hayden Christensen (where do they find these people!!!) could not appear less interested or involved in his crucial role. The love story - which actually appears to be the focus of this STAR WARS movie - comes off as lame and as phony as the computer generated creatures. Some special effects look cool, but I could say the same thing about Resident Evil or Blade II. Attack of the Clones is quite an appropriate titl, because only a bunch of mindless clones would want to sit through this garbage merely because it is "related" to some great movies that were made fifteen years ago. (lets hope Matt Damon will redeem this series, who is rumored to be playing Darth Vader in the third installment)

Minority Report - As a general rule, Steven Spielberg will at least give you your money's worth in any theatre going experience. What he usually does, though, is blow you away and Minority Report will be such an event. The plot goes like this - In the future, Tom Cruise is an officer for a police unit who arrest criminals before they commit crimes. When the unit comes after Cruise accusing him of a future crime, he takes off. That is all we know. That's all I need to know.

 

Spider-man - I'll admit I'm worried about this one. The bits and pieces I have seen look good - a bit too campy for my tastes - but good, and I'm just wondering how they are going to screw it up. Sam Raimi knows what he is doing, but I would not trust him with this huge summer movie, it's just not his style. I would be surprised if this one turns out great (Superman or Batman great). I'll bet it is just good (X-Men, Blade, Superman IV: The Quest for Peace). Tobey Maguire as Peter Parker...we'll see. Willem Dafoe as the Green Goblin is a dream come true, and don't get me started on the lovely Kirsten Dunst as Mary Jane. We'll also get to take a further look at the up and comer James Franco as Harry Osborn, hot off his Golden Globe win for portraying James Dean. And now that you got me started on Dunst, I'll tell you - I know many lately have included her on fantasy lists but I want you all to know that I felt that way about her 10 years ago when she was in Interview with a Vampire - back then she was only 9. So who's the deranged pervert now!!!??

Men In Black II - Barry Sonnenfeld knows how to make an MIB movie and this one will be on that short list of sequels that are as good as the first. Time should allow some improved effects although the first movie appeare