15 for 2015: Our Year-Ahead Preview

Geek Peek 2015: The Boxed Office helps you geek-out on your movie going for the year ahead

Happy 2015! It’s time once again for all of us here at the Boxed Office take our annual crystal ball session concerning our most anticipated films of 2014. We look ahead at some of the biggest sci-fi, super hero and fantasy and CGI films coming soon to a theater near you: 

(ARTH VADER AV) The Seventh Son (2/6) The lone remaining warrior of an ancient mystical order travels to find a foretold hero born with incredible powers, the last Seventh Son. Having watched this initial trailer for an 2014 release over a year ago, I am not sure what to make of this one, Pontificator. Generally, its never a good sign when a film is pulled and re-tooled or has a significant amount of new, re-shot material. Here's to hoping.  

(AV) Jupiter Ascending (2/6) Who's ready for an original Wachowski Brothers screenplay? Apparently no one was a year ago. The original 2013 release of this film was halted when initial audience pools tracked so poor, executive pulled the film and completely re-tooled the film. In February 2015, we’ll see how that effort turned out. I will say, though, P-Man, the new trailers kind of have me a little giddy. Here’s to hoping Mila “TED” Kunis and Channing “Jump Street” Tatum can do something they have yet to do prove so far… that they can act. 

(AV) Chappie (3/6) One the most talented directors in Sci-fi today is Neil “District 9” Blomkamp who’s latest film, Chappie, premieres March 6th. While initial reports are panning the film, I am excited to see what comes of this latest film. Another precursor to the ‘countdown to the singularity’, Chappie is the story of an AI / Robot who learns of the human world through the actions of his creator(s) and those that fear and mistrust him. 

(AV) Ex Machina (4/10) It’s time for another Singularity story arc, Ponty. This one features the story of Caleb, a 20-nothing programmer employed at a large internet company, who wins a week at a private mountain retreat. But, when Caleb arrives at the isolated retreat he finds that himself swept up into a a strange and frightening experiment in which he must interact with the world's first true artificial intelligence, who takes on the form of a beautiful woman. Directed by horror pro Alex “28 Days” Garland, the movie chronicles an interesting inter-species coupling thats both telling and frightening. 

(AV) Avengers: Age of Utron (5/1) When it comes right down to it, there really are only two big flicks to look forward to in 2015, Star Wars and Avengers: Age of Ultron. Marvel Studio’s follow-up to their colossal 2012 hit, pits our heroes against the Avenger’s greatest adversary, the twisted AI construct, Ultron. With new foes, new allies and new costumes for Marvel’s most colorful band of brothers, Age of Ultron has every potential to exceed the $1.4 billion payday that accompanied the 1st movie.

(THE PONTIFICATOR TP) Mad Max: Fury Road (5/15) : Being a big fan of the original Max films (“Mad Max” and “The Road Warrior,” not so much “Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome”) I was happy to hear that director George Miller was attached to this project Vader. It means most of what made those films great will be returning for this reboot/reimagining although I was sad to see Max’s car get destroyed in the trailer (love that car). Tom Hardy is an excellent actor and the perfect choice to reprise the role of Max. This film looks as though it’s gonna be huge and the fact that they are offering it in 3D just tells me to expect some serious special effects! I hoping it’s everything the first two films were…and more.

(TP) Jurassic World (6/12):  I’m a huge fan of all the Jurassic Park films and so I’m very excited about this latest installment, the fourth in the series, set twenty-two years after the original. Although director Colin Trevorrow hasn’t done anything thus far to impress me, I’m hopeful that Spielberg as executive producer and Chris Pratt as the lead can pull this off regardless of any shortcomings, anywhere. The premiss of the film has some cheese potential, I mean, in addition to the regular dinosaurs posing a threat (as usual) we now have a genetically modified dinosaur to deal with, but this type of film is not meant to be thought-provoking, just a wild ride. From what I have seen so far, it looks to be just that, a wild ride for the summer and I’m looking forward to it Vader.

(AV) Ant Man (7/17) Who’s psyched to see a grown man shrink down to be 1/4” tall? I know I am! The littlest big Marvel flick stars Paul “Ant Man” Rudd, Evangeline “I’m Lost as an Elf” Lilly and Michael “Henry Pym” Douglas. Shrouded in controversy, due namely to the hiring and 8-years-later firing of wunderkind director Edgar Wright, this film has almost everyone in a quandary about this film’s ability to resonate with audiences. As for me, I say this; if Marvel made The Guardians Of The Galaxy the top film of 2014, they can do anything. The trailer is fun and has CGI that will likely make the world of the Ant Man a giant success.

(TP) The Fantastic Four (8/7): I gotta say that even though I was gracious in my opinion of the first two films (being a comic geek and all), I have not been thrilled by what I have been hearing  about this film. There has been much controversy over the cast, specifically Michael B. Jordan as the Human Torch, but reading the latest synopsis for the film, I might be willing to throw everything I know about the Fantastic Four out the window and come at this film with an open mind. I generally have not been happy with how Fox has treated Marvel characters, but it seems they might be taking some notes from Marvel Studios as it has been confirmed that the Fantastic Four takes place in the same cinematic universe as the X-Men. Despite the negative rumblings, I will remain optimistic.

(TP) The Maze Runner: Scorch Trials (9/18): I wasn’t a very big fan of the first film, it just didn’t make sense to me on many levels (see the review here) so a continuation of the story doesn’t have me particularly excited. That said, the very fact that it takes place in the most scorched part of the Earth with new dangers and challenges does have me intrigued. I’m hoping this film makes more sense than the first, or at the very least can add more sense to the first. At any rate, great directing and awesome special effects can do much to salvage a film, so I’m hoping this film encompasses all of the above and leaves us with something interesting to review later Vader.

(AV) Victor Frankenstein (10/2) This unique take on Mary Shelley’s classic tale of the original plastic surgeon, is the tale of Dr. Frankenstein’s monster as told from the prospective of Igor, the film is told from the troubled young assistant's dark origins-likely his cameo in 2014’s Dracula untold–or his redemptive friendship with the a young Viktor Von Frankenstein. Igor becomes an eyewitnesses to the emergence of how Frankenstein–and his infamous abomination–become the legends we all know. We can be cautiously optimistic that this film will be an entertaining–if not certifiable–train wreck. Heres to hoping, P-Man. 

(TP) Spectre (11/6): I’ve been watching James Bond films since I was a kid (they actually predate me) and I have enjoyed all of them (some more than others). I have certainly enjoyed Daniel Craig as Bond and look forward to seeing more of him in this film, his fourth installment as 007. Monica Bellucci will be the “Bond Girl” of this film and at fifty years old, the oldest to ever do so. Although this film will not be based on any of Ian Fleming’s original work, the idea of a worldwide secret criminal organization (Spectre) seems to fit right in with what has come to be expected from a Bond film. Also expected is plenty of action, some gadgets…and a new Aston Martin. As with the previous Bond films by Craig, this one should be a lot of fun O’Dark One.

(AV) The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2 (11/20) Pontificator, if I may, do you know why I am just this side of giddy over the release of this film? It’s because it means a certain and definitive END to this franchise that has quite frankly… overstayed its welcome. Let hit the finale button on this series and wrap this all up. I am fatigued over the amount and volume of HG comments, fandom, and movie chatter. This story has run its course for me and I will be happy to watch the final installment–and equally happy for the end of the franchise.

(TP) The Martian (11/25): This film seems like it will be a very interesting movie, although not as original as it appears to be. Based on a novel by Andy Weir, it looks to be a mix of “Gravity” meets “Interstellar.” Matt Damon plays an astronaut stranded on Mars (remember he was also stranded in Interstellar) with little hope of rescue, but a determination to live in hopes of just that. With Ridley Scott directing, I have high hopes that this film will keep me on the edge of my seat and completely entangle me in the plight of Damon’s character. If this film even hints at the desperation and emotional angst Sandra Bullock displayed in “Gravity,” I’m predicting a winner here with a deep impact and lasting impression. 

(TP) Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens (12/18): Oh my… one can only hope this film is actually as big as it’s expected to be. This will be Disney’s first Star Wars film since acquiring the rights from Lucas and having J.J. Abram’s directing is just the tip of the iceberg. Set thirty years after the events of “Return of the Jedi”, not only is the film headed in a new direction (this movie will ignore the expanded universe of the novels, games, etc), with much of the old cast returning, but rumors are Disney has completely ignored any input from Lucas! Now this can be a good thing (no Jar-Jar shenanigans) or a bad thing (everything we have ever loved about Star Wars). Personally, I think Disney is smart enough to make this film as big, if not bigger, than the Star Wars films that have come before and this has me salivating in anticipation for a BIG December opening, Vader. 

“It’s Clobberin’ Time!”

The Fantastic Four chronicles the origin of Marvel’s first family of new age heroes.

ON CONTINUITY WITH THE MARVEL UNIVERSE:

ARTH VADER (AV): It’s 1961 in Cold-War-gripped America and two story-telling visionaries set out, not to change the world but widen our understanding of who heroes really are, sets the comic book genre in wild new directions. The debut of Marvel’s Fantastic Four, created by comic book legends Stan Lee & Jack Kirby, used established characters (like the Human Torch) merged with familiar hero archetypes like a monster strong man, The Thing or Plastic-man knock-off, Mr. Fantastic along with the stealthy Invisible girl/Woman. How do you think this movie held up, Pontificator?

THE PONTIFICATOR (TP): Not many movies line up exactly with the comic continuity, but this one comes close enough that the disparities aren’t really issues. Were they in a ship in the comics and not a space station?...yes. Was Victor Von Doom with them and subject to the same accident?...no. Did the changes work for the movie and deliver a good time?... yes, case closed.

(AV): Agreed! Best friends Reed Richards and Ben Grimm (Mr.F & Thing) and Reed’s girlfriend Sue Storm along with her “hot-headed” (ha-ha, get it?) brother, Johnny Storm, form a close-knit interpersonal team of unlikely heroes, flawed and real, that has captured imaginations and endured for decades. The Fantastic Four is a modern day re-imagining of one of the best pulp fantasy story lines of our time.

CASTING, DIRECTING & ACTING:

(AV): Pontificator, casting is where this movie was a little off. Jessica Alba as Sue Storm? Really? Now don't get me wrong, I fawn over lovely Ms. Alba at every opportunity but she just wouldn’t have been my first choice. Chris Evans’s hunky Human Torch is solid and while I liked Michael Chiklis’s ‘Thing’ while Julian McMahon’s Dr. Doom was too cute and smug for me.

(TP): Arth, I have to disagree with you about Alba... I thought she was great as Sue Storm and the chemistry between here and Gruffudd was very nice. Evans was an absolute riot and my buddy Mike Chiklis (our local compadre from Lowell, Mass) did a... fantastic... job as Ben Grimm. McMahon’s Doom fell a little short. Though entertaining as Victor, none of that translated as truly sinister or scary as Doom.

(AV): The movie direction was as invisible as Sue Storm. FF has lots of cool effects shots but not particularly engaging cinematography. This, like many comic hero movies, needed to feel a bit larger-than-life – instead, it’s quirky and over-acted while the onscreen personalities seemed oddly disconnected.

(TP): Agreed Vader, the direction got a dose of cosmic rays and disappeared almost as much as Sue Storm did. The movie fell short with some campy and cliche parts that seemed deliberate, but could have worked had they not been meant to be so jocular. It just didn’t flow and felt very forced at times.

SPECIAL EFFECTS (SFX):

(TP): The special effects are great and everyone’s power and representation was very well done. Mr. Fantastic had to be the toughest to make believable, along with the Human Torch, and both were handled well enough not to be distractions. The Invisible Woman was handled superbly in our ability to see what we knew couldn’t be seen. It would have been very easy to cop out of her effects and show nothing at all...so I’m very glad they made the effort, and it paid off.

(AV): The SFX in Fantastic Four are very good. It’s hard to write a review six and a half years later when so many strides have been made in visual effects even in the short half-decade since this movie was made. While there was a little cheese in Mr. Fantastic’s effects, the thing and the Torch both looked great. Dr. D was a menacing bad-ass but I must say, hats off the visual effects people for The Invisible Woman's portrayal as a more ghosted apparition, than as simply a person who was no there.

TAKING A DEEPER LOOK:

(AV): This movie is deceptively good, at least on the surface. There are some notable flaws but as I re-watched this flick, it is genuinely true to the original source material, campy, fun and quirky, and each character interacted well with each other. Sure, Ioan Gruffudd’s Mr. Fantastic is a little cardboard but for once, Hollywood didn’t vary much from the original story and – surprise! – it worked. The banter between Ben & Johnny is classic FF and Sue playing the affectionate girlfriend are decent.

(TP): Yes Vader-Nader, I too thought the overall chemistry between certain characters and among the group was very well done, spot on, and gave this film a very unique quality. The mix of drama, action and comedy was very well proportioned although the drama wasn’t very heavy at all. The comedy was brought out by the character driven performances making it feel more like personality quirks instead of punchlines. I found myself laughing at the character more than the joke...even when there wasn’t any.

(AV): I realize that the Invisible girl/woman was created in 1961 but she seemed the most modern to me. Historically, 1961 is still the 1950’s. The woman is beautiful, gentle and commonly seen and not heard in western society. This character does NOT follow that stereotype, literally she is heard but not seen. I like the euphemism a lot! Women’s voices need to be heard and even though she is invisible, her power protects while also having the greatest versatility, (evidenced in the end fight sequence). I wanted to shout out a big “You go, girl friend!” in the theater, but thought better of it for fear of audience reprisal. Hats off, though, for one of the most outspoken heroines in modern comics Marvel. Stan, as ever, you’re the man!

(TP): I would have loved to see a more sinister and driven Doctor Doom with serious motivations for why he must be the one to lead humanity and why that role called for the elimination of Reed Richards. As it was, I never cared about what drove Doom...heck, I didn’t even know he was on the road. This made the final battle anticlimactic because Doom winning didn’t mean anything to anyone except Doom himself. No public or world peril...just petty motivations. On a brighter note, Kerri Washington’s performance didn’t take away from changing Alicia Masters to a black woman, and Stan Lee got some good speaking lines!

Annihilus

ON SEQUELS:

(TP): Yep...there was one. Yep...we’ll talk about it...and thoroughly discuss how Rise of the Silver Surfer was a fall that didn’t need to happen. If something else comes along with these characters, and I don’t see any alternative besides reboot or extensive overhaul, there is no excuse for not making a true blockbuster. The makers need to take heed of the lessons already learned. It’s simple really, give the people what they want.

(AV): The follow-up effort; Rise of the Silver Surfer was a movie that held tons of promise – BEFORE hitting theaters! The talks over an FF re-boot have been tabled for months. It should be done. It needs to be done. There is too much to explore with these characters and too many cool villains like the Mole Man, The Skrulls, The frightful four and my favorite FF baddie – Annihilus! How say you, P-Nice?

(TP): Just as long as they don’t make him a swarm of obscure bugs and give you, one of the people I was referring to above, what you want... then that will be one pitfall avoided.

THE PONTIFICATOR Rates The Fantastic Four:

Despite all the shortcomings this movie had with a Doctor Doom that never gave a sense of... well, doom... poor directing, and a basic story that never broke the ceiling most super hero movies crash through, let alone even reached... this was still a very fun movie. The effects were nice and the heroes were funny and depicted well, earning this film seven busted blocks.

ARTH VADER Rates The Fantastic Four:
Loads of misfires in this movie, shotty casting, mediocre writing and dismal storytelling all conspire to muddy the possibility of greatness. That said, I agree with the Pontificator, the Fantastic Four is a pretty good time. Fan-boys can't look too deep if they intend to enjoy this one, as I had to. All-in-all, I give the FF a solid eight busted blocks.

Fantastic Four: 7.5/10 Busted Blocks