The Flick I’m Most Excited For Come Summer Movie Season
Not every film has to be part of a franchise or an adaptation of a book. Sometimes, the original stuff merits the hype more than any comic book movie ever can.
On Thursday night, I went and saw Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.
Just like our first introduction to the rag-tag group of unsuspecting heroes, this one was a fun ride. The soundtrack remained spot-on in nostalgic fashion, and the jokes fired fast — like, every-other-second-fast.
Nonetheless, I walked out feeling the movie was just ‘meh’. Empty. Supposedly full of excitement, and yet…lifeless.
There were lots of scenes that were made out to be incredibly emotional, but I still got the sense that the assorted stars were just kinda mailing it in. The movie set up the characters as those we should care about; yet after two films, I still felt no empathy to their plight.
It’s a trivial thing for movie makers, really. Forging a connection with the audience deep enough to have those watching feel invested in the story — it’s a tough balancing act. On one hand, you want to keep your viewers entertained with constant quips and engaging action. On the other hand, I find it hard to root for the good guys when a couple of the protagonists lay waste to a whole ship full of not-really-that-that-bad guys.
I thought the whole theory of “comic-book-movie-fatigue” was just a slight at big-budget movies that kept on pulling through with solid products. But with five more set to come out this year alone, for the first time, I find myself not really all that excited about most of them.
Maybe it’s because DC has yet to come up with something that’s not an absolute train-wreck (and no, I will never associate Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight Trilogy with whatever the hell Zack Snyder is trying to accomplish). Or maybe it’s because Marvel forgot how to refill the fluid for their brakes around, say 2013.
Regardless, entering the most profitable time of year for movie studios, I feel quite turned off by the multitude of adaptations and whatnot most still anxiously wait for. Yes, I am super pumped for The Dark Tower, but that’s mainly because that project has been stuck in development hell for quite some time now, sort of in a Deadpool-esque fashion. And just like Deadpool, ever since they announced the two lead actors, I’ve felt like it’s one of those movies that will be superb no matter what.
*Knocks on wood*
Anyway, the movie I’m most excited for this summer is Edgar Wright’s latest project, Baby Driver. Releasing June 28, Baby Driver’s simple-yet-oh-so-creative-synopsis can be found here:
Talented getaway driver Baby (Ansel Elgort) relies on the beat of his personal soundtrack to be the best in the game. After meeting the woman (Lily James) of his dreams, he sees a chance to ditch his shady lifestyle and make a clean break. Coerced into working for a crime boss (Kevin Spacey), Baby must face the music as a doomed heist threatens his life, love and freedom.
Not excited yet? No worries. Just watch the two trailers released thus far.
Still not as pumped as I am? Well, ya can’t win ’em all…
If you have not heard of Edgar Wright, the director of this film, you’re missing out. He’s best known for his Three Flavours Cornetto Trilogy — consisting of Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, and The World’s End — as well as the quirky adaptation of the graphic novel Scott Pilgrim vs. the World. Wright’s brilliance comes in highly-stylized film-making, often taking movie cliches and turning them upside-down on their head, usually to the point of no return.
In Wright’s upcoming film, a relatively simple plot-line will be carried out by the talented likes of Ansel Elgort, Lily James, Kevin Spacey, and Jamie Foxx, among others. And in my opinion, a fresh, original film coming from one of the best directors in the game is exactly what we as consumers of pop culture need.
Humor, incredibly good screenwriting, and flashy shots — if you’re a fan, then Baby Driver is the movie you too should be most excited for this summer season.
