By Chris Kavan - 06/13/13 at 06:21 PM CT
Last week horror trumped comedy - but this week comedy should make a comeback... along with another major blockbuster whose success of failure is going to make or break the future of a new superhero franchise. We also get our first major post-apocalyptic comedy - and considering the all-star lineup (and cameos) involved, it should have no problem washing the bad taste of recent failures out of the system.
MAN OF STEEL It has been seven years since the underwhelming Superman Returns attempted to revitalize the popular franchise. That one left a bad taste in my mouth - mainly because the both the casting and story just didn't work. I'm glad to report that Man of Steel puts things back on the right track. As I was able to attend an early screener, I can say that they manage to create an origin story that is both fresh and exciting - and the casting is much better this time around. Though I wish the movie would have injected a bit more humor - overall this is a good start if DC is looking to take the Marvel route and start a new franchise. Though I have a feeling it may not quite reach Batman or Iron Man numbers - I think it will do well enough that future DC movies are going to get the green light and, eventually, the Justice League spinoff.
THIS IS THE END So far 2013 has been a pretty sad state of affairs for comedy. Identity Thief may have scored early, but The Internship has become the latest comedy film to disappoint. I have a feeling, though, that This is the End is going to finally be a comedy that will make some money. It already opened to a pretty good $2.2 million midnight showing - and even with Man of Steel attracting the most attention, this R-rated effort should attract an audience strictly because the all-star cast looks amazing - James Franco, Seth Rogan, Jay Baruchel, Jonah Hill, Danny McBride, Craig Robinson and Michael Cera are just a few names that show up - all playing ludicrous versions of themselves as they face the apocalypse (which apparently involves aliens, monsters, demonic possession, natural disasters and pretty much every other trope you can imagine). Cameos from the likes of Emma Watson, Channing Tatum, Aziz Ansari, Kevin Hart and Paul Rudd should help things as well. I have a feeling this is going to be rude, crude and totally hilarious. Hopefully it doesn't disappoint.
With a superhero in one film and a superstar cast in another, the weekend looks like it's going to be a good one. I'll see you on Sunday with the final numbers.
Comments
