Sara Bentley reviews everyone's favourite part of the going to The Pictures - the trailers...
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The College Years: Monsters University
The question of the prequel is almost as contentious as the question of sequel. Recent movement in cinema has admittedly seen outstanding success with newly released Prometheus (Noomi Rapace), arguably a prequel to the Alien saga. But can we however ever completely validate the decision to revisit, rewrite and technically replay already established features within cinema? Potentially not in the same class as Prometheus, though very much harking in the same debated circles, Disney-Pixar’s move to revisit the Monsters Inc franchise with their 2013 Summer release Monsters University is quite frankly met with furrowed eyebrows.
Coming some twelve years after the original release, Monsters University (Dan Scanlon) backdates to the animated characters’ time spent at ‘Scare College’, where they will learn the methods behind ‘scaring’. The teaser trailer itself contains all the necessary ingredients to evoke a suitable nostalgic trip - the recognisable voices of Billy Crystal and John Goodman; the familiar humorous extravagance of the Pixar ‘Monster’ world. The familiarity is now however enveloped in the adolescent scenes of university life – the partying and the practical jokes - touching dangerously upon the ‘High School’ genre. Nothing of excessive extent is divulged throughout the short minute duration of the teaser, though just enough to establish a humorous and nostalgic environment for the viewer.
Monsters University should undoubtedly attract attention from multiple directions, though there would appear to be an onus upon sparking excitement amongst those familiar with the Monsters Inc ‘brand’. Again though one questions why? Why revisit? Why rewrite? What exactly does Pixar wish to achieve through such a release?
Monsters University remains in post production and is scheduled to appear on UK Cinema screens on 12th July 2012.
Fighting back the Laughter: Here Comes the Boom
Kevin James first graced television screens back in 1998 as delivery man Doug Heffernan in US sitcom The King of Queens, before eventually moving to the big screen. Since that transition James has quickly become a consistently renowned comedic figure within cinema through such films as Hitch (Will Smith) and, most recently, Mall Cop. James’ latest release, Frank Coraci’s Here Comes the Boom, features the actor this time in the role of Scott Voss, a biology teacher who takes on the small task of raising $48,000 to save his school’s extracurricular activities.
The trailer itself jumps straight into marketing the feature quite solely as a ‘Kevin James’ film. From entering the classroom through a window, to attempting to sink and basketball into a hoop via a trampoline, all that encompasses the ‘Kevin James Persona’ is thoroughly showcased to excess. His harmless loveable nature enveloped in a motivated and sometimes naive selfless attitude. When Voss decides upon cage fighting as a means to deliver the funds, his attempts are meticulously displayed through a montage of painfully funny exerts. When a school experiment goes wrong, in gaining the trust and respect of his students, naturally the blame is passed humorously elsewhere. Other characters feature in the duration of the trailer, most notably Voss’ rival and enemy, ‘badguy’ Principal Becher (Greg Germann), and also an intriguing starring role for Salma Hayek as a fellow teacher and Voss’ on screen love interest. This is however quite starkly a Kevin James trailer advertising a Kevin James film. James has always been the harmless and naively humorous character, and his leading role in Here Comes the Boom looks to be no different.
Here Comes the Boom is set to premiere in the UK on 9th November 2012.
A Concoction of Brilliance: Looper
Rian Johnson’s first attempt at feature film directing was neo-noir masterpiece Brick (2005); a High School drama swathed in complex shadows, archaic dialogue and femme fatales. I like Brick. A brave choice for a debut, most certainly; but with stunning style and flair, Johnson’s low budget baby was enraptured in critical acclaim and huge box office success. It’s hardly surprising then that the director’s third feature would continue in such adventurous footsteps.
A Looper is a hired gunman. In 1972, when the mob wishes to dispose of someone, they are sent thirty years into the past (that’s twenty years into the future for you and I), where they are instantly destroyed by the Looper. A sort of gangster/action/science fiction film if you will. Not that Johnson was ever afraid of tackling multiple genres.
Embodying the role of the Looper, Johnson relies on a familiar face. Though maybe not so familiar to the viewing audience? From his typical baby faced roles in 500 Days of Summer and even, arguably, Inception, Joseph Gordon-Levitt appears somewhat older, harsher, even angrier than ever before. His character is cool and nonchalant, displayed through close ups of stern expression and leather clothing. Though admittedly always in the mercy of those higher to himself, Gordon-Levitt is indeed a dangerous and prominent figure.
Starring alongside the likes of Bruce Willis, the pair together pack a powerful punch. The trailer itself is edited with vigour and power, promising an action packed and dramatic feature full of unique style. This is indeed analogous to what we have come to expect from Johnson's currently minor career - a complex narrative structure enveloped in a remarkable visual spectacle. The concept of time travel is by no means new to the film industry; however Looper would appear to offer an exceptionally well presented and intriguing take on the action genre.
Looper will hit UK cinemas this autumn on 28th September 2012.
Sara Bentley![]()
The College Years: Monsters University
The question of the prequel is almost as contentious as the question of sequel. Recent movement in cinema has admittedly seen outstanding success with newly released Prometheus (Noomi Rapace), arguably a prequel to the Alien saga. But can we however ever completely validate the decision to revisit, rewrite and technically replay already established features within cinema? Potentially not in the same class as Prometheus, though very much harking in the same debated circles, Disney-Pixar’s move to revisit the Monsters Inc franchise with their 2013 Summer release Monsters University is quite frankly met with furrowed eyebrows.
Coming some twelve years after the original release, Monsters University (Dan Scanlon) backdates to the animated characters’ time spent at ‘Scare College’, where they will learn the methods behind ‘scaring’. The teaser trailer itself contains all the necessary ingredients to evoke a suitable nostalgic trip - the recognisable voices of Billy Crystal and John Goodman; the familiar humorous extravagance of the Pixar ‘Monster’ world. The familiarity is now however enveloped in the adolescent scenes of university life – the partying and the practical jokes - touching dangerously upon the ‘High School’ genre. Nothing of excessive extent is divulged throughout the short minute duration of the teaser, though just enough to establish a humorous and nostalgic environment for the viewer.
Monsters University should undoubtedly attract attention from multiple directions, though there would appear to be an onus upon sparking excitement amongst those familiar with the Monsters Inc ‘brand’. Again though one questions why? Why revisit? Why rewrite? What exactly does Pixar wish to achieve through such a release?
Monsters University remains in post production and is scheduled to appear on UK Cinema screens on 12th July 2012.
Fighting back the Laughter: Here Comes the Boom
Kevin James first graced television screens back in 1998 as delivery man Doug Heffernan in US sitcom The King of Queens, before eventually moving to the big screen. Since that transition James has quickly become a consistently renowned comedic figure within cinema through such films as Hitch (Will Smith) and, most recently, Mall Cop. James’ latest release, Frank Coraci’s Here Comes the Boom, features the actor this time in the role of Scott Voss, a biology teacher who takes on the small task of raising $48,000 to save his school’s extracurricular activities.
The trailer itself jumps straight into marketing the feature quite solely as a ‘Kevin James’ film. From entering the classroom through a window, to attempting to sink and basketball into a hoop via a trampoline, all that encompasses the ‘Kevin James Persona’ is thoroughly showcased to excess. His harmless loveable nature enveloped in a motivated and sometimes naive selfless attitude. When Voss decides upon cage fighting as a means to deliver the funds, his attempts are meticulously displayed through a montage of painfully funny exerts. When a school experiment goes wrong, in gaining the trust and respect of his students, naturally the blame is passed humorously elsewhere. Other characters feature in the duration of the trailer, most notably Voss’ rival and enemy, ‘badguy’ Principal Becher (Greg Germann), and also an intriguing starring role for Salma Hayek as a fellow teacher and Voss’ on screen love interest. This is however quite starkly a Kevin James trailer advertising a Kevin James film. James has always been the harmless and naively humorous character, and his leading role in Here Comes the Boom looks to be no different.
Here Comes the Boom is set to premiere in the UK on 9th November 2012.
A Concoction of Brilliance: Looper
Rian Johnson’s first attempt at feature film directing was neo-noir masterpiece Brick (2005); a High School drama swathed in complex shadows, archaic dialogue and femme fatales. I like Brick. A brave choice for a debut, most certainly; but with stunning style and flair, Johnson’s low budget baby was enraptured in critical acclaim and huge box office success. It’s hardly surprising then that the director’s third feature would continue in such adventurous footsteps.
A Looper is a hired gunman. In 1972, when the mob wishes to dispose of someone, they are sent thirty years into the past (that’s twenty years into the future for you and I), where they are instantly destroyed by the Looper. A sort of gangster/action/science fiction film if you will. Not that Johnson was ever afraid of tackling multiple genres.
Embodying the role of the Looper, Johnson relies on a familiar face. Though maybe not so familiar to the viewing audience? From his typical baby faced roles in 500 Days of Summer and even, arguably, Inception, Joseph Gordon-Levitt appears somewhat older, harsher, even angrier than ever before. His character is cool and nonchalant, displayed through close ups of stern expression and leather clothing. Though admittedly always in the mercy of those higher to himself, Gordon-Levitt is indeed a dangerous and prominent figure.
Starring alongside the likes of Bruce Willis, the pair together pack a powerful punch. The trailer itself is edited with vigour and power, promising an action packed and dramatic feature full of unique style. This is indeed analogous to what we have come to expect from Johnson's currently minor career - a complex narrative structure enveloped in a remarkable visual spectacle. The concept of time travel is by no means new to the film industry; however Looper would appear to offer an exceptionally well presented and intriguing take on the action genre.
Looper will hit UK cinemas this autumn on 28th September 2012.
Sara Bentley
