Star Trek 11 - the end of the line?

Speaking of films that are mixing old ideas in a new ‘revisioned’ theme, I saw something today about the next Star Trek movie. This adds to my growing unease about this film. I am becoming more and more filled with dread about how this film will ultimately turn out.

It seems that there is already a plan to make a sequel. Yes, already the storyline for the next film is being hashed out. Without the movie having hit theaters yet. I presume the interest and debate over the movie trailers is propelling the rush to production.



This bodes poorly for the new generation seeking to fill the uniforms of the original cast. Without a single review or public viewing, they are already working the Hollywood system to create the next films in the “rebirth” of the franchise.

“They're hoping to have a draft in by Christmastime in order to get the cameras (and CGI) rolling in time for a summer 2011 release.”

Rushing a film, and a plot, to cash-in on a hoped for success virtually always ends up with a horrible film that bombs in the box office. Especially when the film in question is taking old favorites and turning them on their heads.

I can only recall a couple of films that were so bold as to plan and announce their efforts to create sequels at the same time, or before, the movie in question hit theaters. That would include Superman 3, and the James Bond films. You could also argue that Iron Man and the Incredible Hulk (with Ed Norton in a far superior film to the Ang Lee fiasco) did the same.

The Hulk series has been officially dumped by Marvel (though Norton did a fantastic job of resurrecting the series). Superman made it to one more movie (which bombed horribly) before the series was cancelled and laid dormant for nearly 2 decades. James Bond has survived due to changes in the lead, mostly due to Pierce Brosnan resurging interest after the near demise made by the Welsh-American Bond (Timothy Dalton). And Iron Man hinted at other movies, without guaranteeing their creation.

So in looking at what happens when Hollywood assumes a success, and moves forward with engines at flank, is that the film and/or series usually dies. Not a great sign at all for this ‘rebirth’ of Star Trek. Then again, neither was this



But with the film coming out soon, we the public will decide it all soon enough.

Jason Bourne vs. James Bond: scene vs. scene

I was recently in an argument with a friend about Jason Bourne and James Bond. Many have had similar arguments in the past, and I’m sure more will come in the future. But I wanted to clarify why I felt Jason Bourne is better.

The best way to do this is to go to the movies of these characters themselves. Looking almost side by side we can evaluate which is best. The video is a selection of perhaps the best scenes explaining the 2 characters.



For Bourne we see a man that is always in control of his situation. Even when it spirals away from his goals. He does not get flustered. He is economical with his action, always oriented on his end-point. Every action is meant to build his advantage.

Bourne has the highly difficult task of evading detection, for himself and a novice, in one of the most visible spots on the planet. He has to think on his feet, and react without hesitation. He must protect himself and his target. And he has to do so without gaining attention.

James Bond, especially this incarnation, takes things to the other direction. He is brutish, and if he spares a thought at all it is to how he might kill just a few more people. There is no question that he draws attention. There is no question that everyone in a mile can see him distinctly. And there is no question as to what he is after.

Bond relies more on luck and gall than intelligence. The fact no one expects him to do what he does is more of the saving grace than the logic of his actions. It also seems likely that without the multitude of gadgets, luck, and support personnel, Bond would be dead with a quickness.

Now I do enjoy both movies. I am a fan of both characters. I would easily see a film about either at any time. But if I had to choose, Bourne wins out. Intellect always trumps brute force. Bond may have more explosions (which is never bad) but Bourne has more of a thrill.

That’s the way I see it. Do you agree?

[And yes I do know I truncated the Bond sequence. I had to make it fit for the video. Besides, 4 minutes of chasing a bad guy through crowds, buildings, a road, and an embassy is more than a bit boring the second time through.]

JB head to head: Bond vs Bourne

So the big question of the post-election cycle is just one simple thing, is James Bond better than Jason Bourne. I’ve read a couple of opinions on this question and in general the answer has been mixed.

Most tend to focus on the question of looks of Daniel Craig or Matt Damon. Some compare the revenues of the films. Others take their cue from the critics or the action in each film. But I think the real question is the thinking of the characters.

Both characters think as much as they act. So if we compare just the thinking of the latest Bond, and Bourne what do we get? Bourne wins hands down.

Bond is out of his league when it comes to number of languages. That doesn’t me he is stupid, but it does limit him in some situations and cuts down his response time. Luckily he tends to always be surrounded by only well-spoken english speaking foes and spots in the world.

Bond also loses on spontaneous thought. Neither man looks like they have a plan, if you watch them casually. But Bourne always has a plan. As Nikki says,

“They don’t do random. There’s always a target, always a plan.”

He modifies it as he goes, but the plan is always there. In every movie he has a purpose and never expends more energy or makes himself more obvious than he needs.

Bond is always very visible. He tends to draw attention to himself. And his reaction time to events unfolding around him is slower than Bourne. Bond looks to figure out the big plan and then work down to the details, skipping a few points on the way.

Bourne is focused on the details, working his way up. He follows every detail and works from the shadows if at all possible. Bourne looks to misdirect and confuse to Bonds frontal attack.

Another problem for Bond, he needs gadgets. Mind you we all love the stuff he gets from Q. It’s cool stuff, perfect for the mission at hand. Sadly almost none of it survives a mission.

Bourne has never used anything more complicated than a tracking device. He is so low tech as to almost be stone age compared to Bond. Of course Bond never gets to beat down anyone with a pen, magazine, or a towel. I’m not sure Bond could if he needed to.

If they had to go up against each other Bourne wins in my opinion. Bond would likely never see Bourne coming after him, and I doubt he could keep up with him in a fight. Bond could never track Bourne down. And Bond sticks out in a crowd everywhere.

And the last thing that puts Bourne over Bond is the fact that Bond is not committed enough. Bond would die for Queen and country, but Bourne refuses to acknowledge pain or the thought of death. Once he has to act it is without regard to pain or physical consequence with everything in his surroundings adding to his arsenal of weapons. (I don't recall exactly but did Bourne ever shoot anyone besides the one guy in the field in the first movie?) Bond really hasn’t been in such a situation (yet) but he does not inspire the thought of absolute commitment that Bourne does.

In a different way of stating it, Bourne is a samurai to Bond’s cowboy. Both can be quite deadly, but your chances of surviving the cowboy is much higher.

Do you agree? Do you think Quantum of Solace will prove this wrong? Let me know if you see the movie this weekend.

Movie trailers for fall 2008

Ok time for a couple of quick movie previews. The following movies will be coming out later this year, and a couple of them I will preview and/or review later. But this will give you a taste of what is to be expected.

First on the list is Max Payne. This is supposed to be the movie version of a successful video game. Yes, yet another videogame converted to a movie. Now will that mean it will be good? That’s a question as while Mark Wahlberg is in the film (and he does a decent action film – see The Big Hit) they have departed from the games storyline to give it a Constantine style theme. It seems the writers never bothered to play Max Payne, or they thought the gritty New York cop on a vendetta (and more than a few painkillers) was not intriguing enough. As long as it’s better than last years Hitman video game-to-movie flop it will be successful.



Then there is the 3rd remake of the Punisher comic book. Yes another comic book to movie attempt. This one is Punisher: War Zone. Now Marvel has been trying to get this right time and again. The prior 2 tries were so bad that they can’t even be called laughable. This one looks to be a bit grittier and darker, which sounds more like the character in the comics. Will Ray Stevenson be the man to finally bring this to life or will it be another straight to DVD bargain bin write-off for Marvel? The trailer says it will work, the history says failure. More soon.



A film that will be out shortly is Bangkok Dangerous. This is the chance for Nicholas Cage to resurrect himself from the horrible films he had out earlier this year (NEXT and Ghost Rider). It looks like this time he actually did some acting, though the character and action scenes remind me of his role in the film ConAir. A hitman looking to get revenge, and paid, can be a great idea and the setting in Bangkok won’t hurt.





Of course there is one thing that serious movie fans might want to know. This is a remake, an Americanized version of a film from 2000



Moving on to something that should keep us guessing is Eagle Eye. The premise seems fresh, so I have no idea where Hollywood came up with it. Considering the low-brow, unimaginative, boring, illogical nature of most movies these days this is a big surprise. Random people are used to act on behalf of an unknown group for an unknown reason, and the Government has a hard-on to get these average joes fast. (I wonder if the writers from USA Network’s Burn Notice were involved with this?)



Now a probable winner of a film should be the next 007 movie Quantum of Solace. The new blonde and more hands on physical James Bond (Daniel Craig) did a great job in Casino Royale. This next film looks to follow on that story directly. Bond is bitter and twisted in this film, and it’s bollocks for M or anyone else in his way. A more emotional and violent Bond film, this should keep the franchise alive and well.



Well this is a film that will certainly make money. Saw V. There really isn’t much more to say. The only trailer is very unclear, beyond the fact that someone is having a very bad day.



More reviews and trailers coming soon.