A Tale of Two Trailers

This is the kind of week we wait for in film. We were treated to not just one, but two of the most anticipated trailers in the history of the Blockbuster. Jurassic World and Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens may have only given us a few teasing moments to whet the appetite but they were enough to fuel anticipation levels and get everyone intensely talking and speculating.

 

The Jurassic World trailer came earlier in the week and because it’s due for a release on 12th June more post production has been completed so we got to see quite a bit of footage. In terms of plot there is a base to work upon here. 22 years after John Hammond’s initial attempt to bring dinosaurs back to life in Jurassic Park and create a park that would showcase these marvels it would seem someone has made this idea into a fully operational and popular attraction. Meanwhile, scientists (including the returning BD Wong as Henry Wu) are treading new genetic ground by creating the first hybrid dinosaur. The exact nature of this super dinosaur are very much under wraps and all we know are that it’s highly intelligent and kills at will, which suggests a velociraptor merged with something bigger, but that still remains a secret.

Being an obsessive follower of the Jurassic Park series it’s so great to actually see this trailer, just because it’s finally come to fruition. After years in development hell with massing uncertainty over who will direct or star or what story will be used it’s finally only six months away. Not only that but it looks great, it’s impossible to judge an entire film from a trailer but Jurassic World really does look the part and director Colin Trevorrow looks to have kept the essence of the original while adding his own style. There are only snippets of the various dinosaurs but there are plenty of them. Introducing new dinosaurs, including the massive sea dwelling Mosasaurus, and adding new dimensions to the old ones including the raptors, who are said to be working with staff member Owen played by Chris Pratt, both the human and dinosaur performances look a lot more layered than the one dimensional Jurassic Park III.

An issue with a lot of the trailers these days is they give away entire plotlines or all the best jokes in an attempt to sell the movie but there is still so much of Jurassic World which is shrouded in mystery. Does the T-Rex, the poster dinosaur for the franchise, return with a bigger role than that of the previous film? Will the raptors work with the humans or will they merely betray them? And what are the intentions of the owners of Jurassic World? Both Vincent D’Onofrio and Irrfan Khan are executives of the Masrani Corporation which own the theme park. Two big actors who we did not see in the trailer suggests that something more is afoot and I really cannot wait to see it on the big screen in a mix of excitement and pure unmitigated nostalgia.

Talking about nostalgia, whilst still getting over the trailer for Jurassic World only a few days later we had out first glimpse at The Force Awakens. I say a glimpse being it was only a minute and a half long. J.J Abrams and co have only just completed principal photography a few weeks ago and there will be still a huge amount to add in post production. Being only 88 seconds long and with a year left to complete, it lacked the flow of a theatrical trailer, but as random assortments of images go it was truly the pinnacle. Never before has an ominous voice over (Is it Serkis, Driver or Cumberbatch?) and a few out of context shots amassed so much excitement from so many.

It doesn’t answer a whole host of questions as to what’s in The Force Awakens except that it has The Millennium Falcon in all its glory, a Sith with a red lightsaber that, when ignited, becomes a crucifix shape and the X-Wings are back with Oscar Isaac at the helm of one. John Boyega’s role is uncertain, is he a Stormtrooper, or like Luke in a New Hope is he just donning the uniform and all we know about Daisy Ridley is she’s on Tatooine at some point of the film. So, lots still to speculate about. It’s been a real enjoyment in itself reading all of the various interpretations of what the various images mean. We still have a long way to go until December but from these few images it look promising.

One thing both Jurassic World and The Force Awakens are that John Williams was the composer for the original films and it is that music that really gives the trailer the extra edge over those of other movies. Interestingly, the same composer was look set to take over him for both movies, however, although Michael Giacchino is doing the score for Jurassic World, Williams is returning to the Star Wars universe once again. One thing that will be certain in both movies is the music will be spectacular.

We have been truly spoiled this week, even though the extent of that spoiling was a cumulative four minutes. At least we know that the films are on there way next year and we can go on speculating about plots and characters until they do.

A Busy Week In The Film World

Hello readers, it’s good to be back writing after a long absence. A few factors, including becoming a newly married man, have left me with no free time whatsoever and its refreshing to finally be able to open up my laptop again and start tapping those keys and talking about movies. Anyway enough about me, so much has been happening this week in the world of film that it was impossible to write a blog pinpointing on one issue. Therefore, here is a rundown in what has got the world talking:

1) There will be a Toy Story 4 in 2017

Not content with a perfect, rounded off ending and the odd half hour episode, Pixar have decided to continue with their most successful set of films. There has been a huge amount of online excitement regarding the announcement that the franchise will continue on the big screen. However, there has been another section of people curious as to where all the original ideas have gone at Pixar. Toy Story 4, which will be directed by the legend of Pixar, John Lasseter, has been added to the list of sequels announced by the studio including Finding Dory, Cars 3 and The Incredibles 2. Although these are all probably going to be a wonderful combination of visually stunning graphics and heartwarming stories it was the consistant, fresh ideas in the early years of Pixar that earnt it so much love and respect from worldwide audiences.

It looks as though from next year we will start to see a combination of old favourites and new ideas as two original Pixar films come out in quick succession with Inside Out directed by Pete Doctor with an ambitious premise about the workings of the human mind and the less cerebral The Good Dinosaur. Fundementally, Pixar could release anything they wanted and earn huge box office receipts, that’s not what they’re about. Toy Story 4 will introduce a new generation to these characters in a film that will entertain and astonish them as the original did almost twenty years ago.

2) Star Wars Episode VII has a title

Yes, and let’s hope that the script is better than the title that precedes it. Maybe that’s unfair, but Star Wars: The Force Awakens is going to take some getting used to. Obviously you don’t want to spend too much time scrutinising a title, no, a subtitle even, but because it’s Star Wars and therefore the biggest franchise in the history of cinema people are going to analyse it with a passion.

The Force Awakens seems more like a title plucked from the extended universe, a Clone Wars episode or Xbox game perhaps rather than a movie that’s going to make a billion dollars. It also looks like it will do away with the Episode VII part, which has been a fixture of the films since A New Hope introduced it. But as Shakespeare said “what’s in a name?” Everything else that’s come from the Star Wars camp has sounded positive, besides Harrison Ford breaking his ankle. The casting is solid with a mix of old and new, science fiction juggernaut Rian Johnson is going to be heavily involved in directing and writing on episodes VIII and IX respectively and principal production is complete. So, we’ll wait and see, maybe when we see the film the title will have a special significance, or we’ll just forget the title and enjoy the movie.

3) The Battle of The Five Armies has a new trailer

Just over a month before The Hobbit’s long, long, long awaited final chapter comes one of the trailers of the year to show us that it could of been worth the wait all along. It’s just pure action and intensity and everything that Peter Jackson does best. He knows this will most likely be his last venture into Middle Earth and is throwing everything at his denouement. There’s been so much said about these Hobbit films, especially the long debated questions: Are they too long? Can three films be justifies for a book of just over 200 pages? If this film proves both of the answers to those questions as no then it has done its job. Whereas An Unexpected Journey and The Desolation Of Smaug were pretty bloated in places Battle of The Five Armies looks like is doesn’t intend on wasting a second and treating the audience for bearing with them and paying for three separate films.

4) Tarantino has his Hateful Eight

In January Quentin Tarantino decided to abandon his next project The Hateful Eight as a leaked, online script had left him feeling betrayed. Ten months down the line he’s calmed down, withdrawn his lawsuit and has announced his cast for the movie. A mix of fresh talent and old Tarantino alumni, the eponymous Eight have been revealed as: Samuel L. Jackson, Tim Roth, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Kurt Russell, Walton Goggins, Michael Madsen, Demian Bicher and Bruce Dern. Channing Tatum also stars, however, his role has yet to be revealed.

We are going to be truly spoilt in 2015, alongside massive budget, effects laden blockbusters like Star Wars and Avengers 2 it’s great to have a true event movie that is just good, old fashioned film making. Tarantino will most likely shoot on film, as is his preference and combined with another of his great scripts this is going to be a real treat.

5) Interstellar is out, and you need to see it at the cinema

This weekend, you’ve probably seen countless Interstellar reviews already and all of them consist of immense praise for the truly groundbreaking effects, the original and exciting script that will leave your emotions all over the place and fantastic performances from the brilliant Matthew McConaughey. All, of this and more is true, it is a fantastic film that respects its audience, as Christopher Nolan is known to do, which will leave you thinking long after you’ve left your seat.

If I were just going to give one word of advice though, it would be to see it at the cinema with the big screen, the speakers blaring and the chairs rocking. It’s tempting sometimes to wait for the Blu Ray or the on demand services what with the prices of going to the cinema spiralling out of control but this is a picture that requires the environment of a darkened cinema to truly appreciate it. Just let Interstellar take you for 2 hours and 40 minutes and you’ve got an unforgettable movie going experience. An absolute triumph of a movie that wants me to go right back to the cinema and experience it all again.

So, a very busy week for film and with a huge amount of big movies coming out in the next few months I can only foresee some even busier ones on the horizon. Good to be back writing!