Director: Sngmoo Lee
Run Time: 1 hrs. 40 min.
Rating: R
The Bouw-Man.
From where I’m standing, there isn’t a whole lot to like about the potential of “The Warrior’s Way.” The trailer held my attention for about 30 seconds, and after that I could easily dismiss it as a film I have no intention in seeing. Like many of the other foreign films of its kind, you’re dealing with a warrior-assassin who is wanted after he refuses a mission. I’m sure common themes like honor, code and ethics will be sprinkled through the 100-minute run-time of this film, as our protagonist fights for his life. If you are one who appreciates common storytelling, it appears you have found the perfect film.
You have to hand it to the producers of “The Warrior’s Way” for giving it the old “college try.” Knowing that they probably aren’t dealing with a whole lot of new material, they employed some quality English-speaking actors in hopes of driving ticket sales. How they were able to get Oscar-winner Geoffrey Rush to star in this action-fantasy flick is quite an accomplishment Throw in popular film jerk Danny Huston, and a “girl next door” talent like Kate Bosworth, and you have Americanized (although Rush is actually Australian) a truly foreign film. The special effects seem to have some a “300-esque” quality to them, so who knows maybe there’s a solid outside chance that the “Warrior’s Way” will find an audience.
Prediction.
With a plethora of films opening right around the Thanksgiving holiday, it’s not surprising that there weren’t a lot of films vying for a December 3 opening. Chances are, this one is going to get lost in the shuffle. “Harry Potter” will continue draw huge numbers into its third week, and there are plenty of other choices for people looking to take in a show. I think double digits is too much to hope for, so let’s say $9.9 million for opening weekend.
Opening Weekend Gross: $9.9 Million
Noodles.
The thing about Asian action films that baffles me is how most of them look truly amazing, yet the story confuses the hell out of me. When watching the long version of this trailer, I'm given hope that the film makers took the best of the Asian and American action movie talents and created something wonderful.
The story seems relatively simple, a ninja killer tasked to kill an innocent child refuses and is then hunted by his clan. Add in some old American western imagery and we have a movie that looks cool and seems semi-original. The proof is definitely going to be in the watching but I think it will probably hit most geeks in their G-spot.
Prediction.
The absence of early reviews and a two year delay in release makes me think this movie is either going to be a sleeper hit, or a pile of shit. Based on the visuals and the main stream American audiences love affair with Asian cinema (I'm being sarcastic here), Warrior's Way is destined for below $10Mill opening at best.
Opening Weekend: Gross: $7 Million
SHOWTIMES & TICKETS |
No comments:
Post a Comment