Director: Oliver Stone
Run Time: 2 Hours 7 Minutes
Rating: PG-13
The Bouw-Man.
In 1987 Michael Douglas won the “Best Actor” Oscar for his role as Gordan Gekko in the film “Wall Street.” It was a memorable performance, and his catch phrase “Greed is Good” became one of the most popular movie lines of the last 25 years. Very rarely do you see an actor reprise their award-winning role in the form of a film sequel. Anthony Hopkins did it with Hannibal Lecter (“Silence of the Lambs” and “Hannibal”), and Shirley MacLaine also did with Aurora Greenway (“Terms of Endearment” and “The Evening Star”). Unfortunately if you use those two as the benchmark, there isn’t much hope that Michael Douglas or “Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps” will come close to the magic of the original. With the health of Michael Douglas shadowing the film’s opening, you wonder if this will have an influence on the critics and/or the box office.
The trailer does a good job of giving the audience a taste, but at the same time not revealing too much about what’s in store. What we able to deduct is that Gordan Gekko is finally released from prison after a lengthy sentence. He begins a public speaking/book tour, as he looks to get back in the game. Meanwhile, his daughter is set to marry an ambitious young stock broker. Shia LaBeouf (Jake) and Carey Mulligan (Winnie) play the young couple, and they apparently disagree on their view towards Gordon Gekko. Although it’s never laid out, one assumes that Gekko and Jake will eventually square off at the end. With Josh Brolin, Frank Langella and Susan Sarandon also on board for this film, the cast is a formidable one. I doubt “Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps” will be able to duplicate the original, but there may be enough references and new blood to make it a worthwhile effort.
Prediction.
So far, September has produced two adult dramas (“The American” and “The Town”) that have spent time in the number one box office position. “Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps” should make it three out of four, unless there is some unexpected surprise. A strong opening will add merit to Douglas’s appeal, as he recovers from his health problems. Let’s go with a solid $21 million showing for a film 23 years removed from the 1987 original.
Opening Weekend Gross: $21 Million
Noodles.
I'll preface my thoughts with this little fact; I never saw the original Wallstreet. That's not to say that I never wanted to, its just one of those classic 80s films I never got around to. Looking at the trailer for this sequel (can it be called a sequel if more than 20 years has passed since the original?) I'm intrigued but not excited about checking it out.
It feels like we already can guess what's going to happen... Shia's character is going to be chasing the Gordon Gekko character to the destruction of his soul and his relationship. Will he come out on top with the money and his heart by the end? Who can say, but the question is does the ride make you want to shell out $10 for a ticket? For me, I think I can wait until cable.
Prediction.
The prospects for this movie making a killing are not great. Oliver Stone's latest films haven't opened well. You can count most of Shia's recent openings because he wasn't the main draw for audiences (Transformers & Indiana Jones). As for Michael Douglas, the last time he was the lead in a wide release film was 'The Sentinel' and that did crap. I'm thinking nostalgia alone will bump this film's numbers but not by much.
Opening Weekend: Gross: $20 Million
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