Megamind

Director: Tom McGrath

Run Time: 1 Hour 36 Minutes

Rating: PG

The Bouw-Man.

It’s interesting how the marketing of a film can change as the release date grows nearer.  The original trailer for “Megamind” was shown quite frequently this past summer, and the impression you were left with is that “Metro Man” and “Metro Man” were adversaries and that would be the underlining plot.  It appeared for the patrons who wanted to see the film that they were in store for some hilarity similar to “Austin Powers” vs. “Dr. Evil” (only in animated form).  I usually give Will Ferrell the benefit of the doubt and I did like the “Austin Powers” films, so I was looking forward to seeing “Megamind.”  Somewhere along the way, the preview changed and audiences were now led to believe that “Megamind” would assume the role of “Metro Man” and become a “good guy.”  Ironically, that’s what I didn’t like about the third installment of “Austin Powers” (“Goldmember,” if you need a refresher).  Now, I don’t know what to expect.  I guess you have to pay for a ticket to find out.  I may very well do so, but I’m just not as committed to seeing it as I was this past summer when the original trailer cam out.

 

Animated films just keep getting churned out at a record pace.  Just throw in some celebrity voices, a little bit of humor tailored toward adults, a 90-minute screen time and some likeable creatures and you have yourself a film.  Oh, make sure it comes in 3D to get a few more bucks out of the paying audience members.  That seems to be the blueprint for a successful animated film, and “Megamind” seems to be following this outline. 

Prediction.

It’s been over a month since “Alpha and Omega” and “Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole” came out, so I guess we’re due for an animated film to have a nice run.  $48 million sounds like an appropriate opening weekend total for “Megamind.”

Opening Weekend Gross: $48 Million

Noodles.

After watching Toy Story 3 with my kids this past weekend I feel as though I'm in a better place to think about this latest stint in cartoon foolery. I think Will Ferrell is one of the funniest cats in Hollywood, and he's sometimes overlooked too quickly. The concept is obviously a parallel to Superman vs. Lex Luthor, but with a twist. 

I'm encouraged by the PG rating which to me says that there will not only be kid appropriate humor, but also the kind of subtle comedy that kids won't get right away but we adults will love. Plus I like how the trailer leaves out enough of the plot that we're curious as to who the main villain could be if its not the main character.

Prediction.

Megamind looks poised to be the weekend winner at the box office. The reviews are good, and the cast is solid. Plus you always have to give the edge to a kids movie when the last big CG kids flick to come out was 'Legend of the Guardians'. I'm thinking this is going to be a hit.

Opening Weekend: Gross: $45 Million

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The Other Guys

Director: Adam McKay

Run Time: 1 hrs. 47 min.

Rating: PG-13

The Bouw-Man.

It’s been a few years since Will Ferrell made a film that was really funny, but there is hope with “The Other Guys.”  After some major flops like “The Land of Lost” in 2009 and “Semi-Pro” in 2008, it would be fair to question his current comedic relevance. Granted, “Blades of Glory,” “Talladega Nights,” “Wedding Crashers” “Anchorman” and “Old School” were so good that it would be hard to maintain that level of quality.  However, it’s would probably help Will Ferrell’s career immensely if this latest film was a hit.

The preview itself has a couple sequences that look to be memorable.  The part where Will Ferrell’s character is trying to talk down a suicide jumper, along with the “good cop, bad cop” bit, seem to have elements of comic gold.  Hopefully these aren’t the only funny scenes in the entire film.  There’s some concern in casting Mark Wahlberg as the other main lead.  Has he ever done a comedy film?  To my knowledge he hasn’t, plus he’s just not that good of an actor.  He lucked out with his role in “The Departed,” where he was nominated for an Academy Award.  Not a tough part to play, but unfortunately it has led to even more film offers.  Some of the other supporting key players in “The Other Guys” like Samuel L. Jackson, Dwayne Johnson, Eva Mendes and Michael Keaton seem ideally suited for their roles, so let’s hope Wahlberg isn’t the only weak link.

Prediction.

2008’s “Step Brothers” is probably a good benchmark for what to expect of “The Other Guys” financially during its opening weekend.  “Step Brothers” made approximately $31 million during its opening weekend.  The studio seems to have spent a lot of money on marketing and advertising of “The Other Guys,” so I think it will do better initially.  I think $38 million is a realistic prediction for this upcoming weekend.

Opening Weekend Gross: $38 Million

Noodles.

This movie could go either way for me. On the one hand I like Will Ferrell.  I would say that I have yet to see a film of his that I don't like. (Bear in mind that I have never seen 'A Night At the Roxbury') Mark Wahlberg on the other hand...Its not that I don't like him as an actor, its just that don't want to see him in movies...acting. 

This movie boasts a wide and talented cast of comedic players that almost feel like they're there to shore up a weak script. Its like if your "comedy" is light on laughs just add some over-the-top Sam Jackson to a few scenes and people will think the movie is as funny as the few parts he's in. Still...Ferrell has a pretty decent track record with hitting my funny bone so as I said before, this could go either way.

Prediction.

Will Ferrell can usually open a movie for around $20 million and as average as this film seems , I think we can count on at least that much. 

Opening Weekend: Gross: $20 Million

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