Hi there, and welcome to the Library’s Friday Film Club blog for May. May is the month that it all starts to get a bit serious, exams begin, revision takes priority. But what better way to unwind after a day of revision or an exam, or give you a break from your studies than to sit down and let a good film transport you to another reality. This month I have chosen four very non-original entries; they are all sequels within some famous franchises, which in my opinion (though the critics do not share it in most cases) are an improvement on their predecessors and definitely deserve a rewatch. In addition, I would not say it is essential to have seen the original/previous films in these franchises to understand this month's entries.
I’ll shall start with the only entry that is not in fact the second instalment within in its particular franchise, Superman Returns (2006). Directed by Bryan Singer (X-Men, Bohemian Rhapsody), it is the sixth entry in the original Superman film series (based on the world-famous DC Comics) featuring the late Christopher Reeve (if you include Supergirl 1984). Released almost 20 years after Superman IV it features an impressive all-new cast including: newcomer actor Brandon Routh (Scott Pilgrim vs. the World), Kate Bosworth (The Horse Whisperer, Still Alice), Kevin Spacey (The Usual Suspects, American Beauty), James Marsden (X-Men, Sonic The Hedgehog) and Frank Langella (Frost/Nixon, Dracula).
The story begins with Superman (Routh) “returns” from to Earth after a five-year absence, having travelled to deep into space to investigate a location astronomers believed to be the remains of his home world of Krypton (not to be confused with the real chemical element). At the same time, having been released from prison, his arch-nemesis Lex Luthor (Spacey) sets about marrying and murdering an elderly rich widow to inherit her fortune with the aim of funding his schemes. Superman meanwhile, not unsuspectingly resumes his job as a reporter at the Daily Planet newspaper in Metropolis (under the guise of his alter-ego Clark Kent), intending of restarting his life on Earth.
However, just as he learns his love interest Lois Lane is now engaged to editor Perry White’s (Langella) nephew Richard (Marsden), he is thrust into action when a flight test of a space shuttle goes haywire, with Lois caught in the middle! Superman jumps in to action and in the midst of saving those in danger reveals his return to the world, who of course are delighted, except for Lois and Luthor. Clark also later learns that Lois has a son with Richard, who so happens to be five years-old. Beginning his plan, Luthor travels to Superman’s base (The Fortress of Solitude) to steal a few Kryptonian crystals, which he intends to combine with Kryptonite (Superman’s weakness) to create a deadly weapon. While Clark/Superman struggles to cope with how much his friends have moved on from him, he must find his way in the world once again to conquer Lex Luthor’s most maniacal plan yet! Which has the potential to destroy not just the United States but Superman himself.
Critical reception to the sequel was generally positive, though fans were less pleased with the attempt to stick so closely to Reeves iteration of Superman. Richard Corliss (Time magazine) called it one of the best superhero films., while Peter Travers (Rolling Stone) shared my opinion that it, “perfectly updates Superman for the modern audience”. There was however much criticism of the story and both Routh & Bosworth’s performances, with both actors seen as too young and inexperienced in films for the roles. In my opinion, Routh is well cast despite having to operated in the late Reeves shadow. It’s a perfectly legitimate spiritual sequel to the Reeves era with a modern twist. Filled with humour, action, heart and a little adult darkness (which the original films lacked), I find this film understated and often overlooked. Due to critical and audience reception it received no further sequels despite the studio’s original plans. You can loan and watch this Super sequel now, only on DVD from the Library. Watch a clip of the Man of Steel in action early on by clicking the link below:
Next up, we have adventure romp Night at the Museum 2: Battle of The Smithsonian (2009). A sequel to the 2006 hit (which you can read about in one of my previous blogs, which in turn was based on a book by Milan Trenc) it was directed by Shawn Levy (The Pink Panther 2006, Real Steel) and focuses on former museum night guard Larry Daley (Ben Stiller) and his continued adventures with the exhibits that come to life at night! Joining Stiller in the ensemble cast are returnees including: Owen Wilson (The Royal Tenenbaums, Marley & Me), Steve Coogan (Tropic Thunder, Percy Jackson), Rami Malek (Bohemian Rhapsody, No Time to Die) and the late Robin Williams (Hook, Mrs. Doubtfire); as well as several new faces such as Amy Adams (Man of Steel, American Hustle) and Hank Azaria (Run Fatboy Run, The Simpsons Movie).
Set three years after the events of the first film, Larry has left his job as a night guard at the American Museum of Natural History (New York City) to start his own business selling his inventions on TV, though he misses the exhibits terribly (and his inventions aren’t selling too well). On a visit to the museum he learns the unfortunate news that most of the exhibits are being shipped off to the Smithsonian Institution (the largest complex of museums in the world) in Washington D.C., yet the tablet of the Pharaoh Ahkmenrah (whose mystical powers enables the exhibits to be reanimated) will remain in New York with its owner, this of course depresses the exhibits. Later that night, Larry receives a phone call from Jedediah (Wilson, playing a miniature cowboy), exclaiming that Capuchin monkey had sneakily taken the tablet with them and awoken all manner of exhibits within the Smithsonian. This act in turn has led to the original exhibits being under attack by Ahkmenrah’s horrid older brother Kahmunrah, who is hell bent on world domination.
Wasting no time, Larry rushes to the capital (of the US), assuming his old position to rescue his friends. With the help of some new friends in the Smithsonian exhibits including Amelia Earhart (Adams) and General Custer, Larry’s team prepares to battle Kahmunrah’s (that involves historic villains Napoleon Bonaparte and a young Al Capone among others) for the tablet and the right to remain alive. The fate of not only the exhibits but the entire world is on the line this time.
Though it received mixed reviews from critics, they did praise Adams and Azaria’s performances for bringing new life the performances. In fact, the Chicago Tribune’s review called her, “a sparkling screen presence”, whereas Entertainment Weekly states, “its Adams who gives it zing.” Maybe seen as overdone on the comedy side of the story, I still believe it is an improvement on the original (which was still very good). Bigger, Bolder, Better, with great additions to the cast. Night at the Museum 2 is a wonderful adventure and amazing spectacle for all the family, a must-see. It was also succeeded by 2 more sequels (one live-action, one animated). Watch it now on DVD or e-stream with the Library. View the trailer by clicking the link below:
From fantasy adventure to music mayhem, our penultimate entry of the month is Pitch Perfect 2 (2015). A sequel to the surprise 2012 hit, it is Elizabeth Banks (Charlie’s Angels 2019, The Hunger Games) directorial debut, and she also reprises her role as a commentator from the first film too. Fellow returnees are: Anna Kendrick (Twilight, Into the Woods), Rebel Wilson (Bridesmaids, Jojo Rabbit), Brittany Snow (The Pacifier, Hairspray), Adam Devine (The Lego Batman Movie) and Skylar Astin (Wreck-It Ralph), to name but a few. Two of the new cast members joining them in this feature are, Flula Borg (The Suicide Squad) and Hailee Steinfeld (The Edge of Seventeen, Bumblebee). The second film in the franchise focuses on the Bellas attempts for World glory after chasing National glory in the previous movie.
The Barden Bellas (the premium all-girl A Capella singing group of Barden University) have won the ICCA (International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella; a real organisation celebrating acts that sing and make music using only their voices and no instruments) National Champions three years in a row, under the leadership of senior Beca Mitchell (Kendrick) and super senior Chloe Beale (Snow). However, after a public scandal due to an incident involving Bella Patricia “Fat Amy” Hobart (Wilson) at President Obama’s birthday, the Bella’s are suspended from the ICCAs; though retaining their previously won titles. As reparation to the University and the ICCA, Beca decides to make a deal that the Bellas be reinstated should they win the upcoming A Capella World Championship (which they are still eligible to compete in) held in Copenhagen, Denmark.
They are in desperate need of new blood and sound, but are also banned from recruiting. Rather fortunately they are eventually joined by freshman Emily Junk (Steinfeld0 who is actually a Barden legacy thanks to her mother being one in years gone by, and after she performs an original song for them at the sorority house without being invited to do so. The Bellas soon learn that their toughest opponents at the World Championships will be German group Das Sound Machine (DSM0 led by The Kommissar and Pieter (Borg), when they are immediately mocked and heavily intimidated by them after a couple of pre-Championship meetings. As the finals fast approach, the Bellas each become distracted by relationship problem and personal conflict, leading to the group slowly breaking apart. In one last Hail Mary, they engage the help of past Bella’s to bring the group back together and reinvigorate them before the competition. But are they good enough to be the best in the World? And will they cement their legacy in a positive way?
Becoming the highest grossing music comedy of all-time and smashing the box-office returns of its predecessor, the reviews for this one was good. Guy Lodge (Variety magazine) called it an “ebulliently entertaining, arguably superior sequel,” while Leslie Felperin noted, “Pitch Perfect 2 remixes the elements and comes up with a something even slicker and sharper.” In my opinion, this entry is the very definition a superb sequel: Fun, Hilarious and Vibrant. The songs are better, performances improved, the cast increased and the story elevated; this all makes for a sequel that is better on every level. It impressed well enough to get one more sequel and a spin-off TV series. You can view this music spectacular anytime, anywhere with e-stream. Experience a taste of the musical magic this sequel has to offer by clicking the link below:
Lastly, I give you what will be by far my most controversial pick with most audiences, the action romp that is, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009). Directed by Michael Bay (Pearl Harbour, Bad Boys) it’s the second instalment in this polarizing franchise (based on the world-famous Hasbro toy line) made by the man known for the many many explosions within his productions. In features an ensemble cast of both live-action and voice actors such as: Shia LaBeouf (Eagle Eye, Holes), Megan Fox (Jennifer’s Body, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), Josh Duhamel (New Year’s Eve; Love Simon), Tyrese Gibson (Fast & Furious 6, Morbius), Ramon Rodriguez (Battle: Los Angeles), Hugo Weaving (The Lord of The Rings, Captain America) and Tony Todd (Candyman). Beginning approximately two years on from the climax of the first movie, Revenge of the Fallen focuses on the continuing war between the sentient robotic lifeforms known as the Autobots (Good, who have seeked refuge on Earth) and Decepticons (Bad), both from the planet Cybertron. It also expands upon the Transformers history with Earth as a whole.
The Autobots human liaison, Sam Witwicky (LaBeouf), is now off to College trying to live a normal life after killing Megatron (The Deception leader). While Autobot leader Optimus Prime and his crew are now in partnership with a group of human soldiers (codenamed N.E.S.T.), led by Major William Lennox (Duhamel), to find and destroy any remaining Decepticons on Earth. They face constant blow back however from the US government, who believe the Decepticons are only still around to hunt the Autobots and therefore want to ‘deport’ the Autobots away from Earth. Before the last of the Decepticons on Earth can be destroyed, a few discover a way to revive their deceased leader Megatron (Weaving), who in turn reunites with his mentor ‘The Fallen’ (Todd), an ancient Transformer who has been hiding till they day he is strong enough to emerge. When the two hatch a disastrous plan to unearth a powerful long-lost weapon and destroy the Earth, Sam and the Autobots must persevere through personal tragedy and embark on a mysterious journey to find the key to winning this fight.
Action-packed and fast paced, it’s trademark Michael Bay stuff that had fans flocking to the cinemas to see it in their droves, making it the 4th highest film of 2009, yet the critics chastised almost everything about the movie. In my opinion however, while extremely loud at times and full of some unnecessary explosions, the story is actually an adequate and logical continuation of the original film’s plot. There is a sense of intrigue, adventure, an even a little Egyptian education in parts; the humour is better than people give it credit for and the effects as throughout the whole franchise are spot on. It’s biggest draw though, comes from having one of the best scores and original movie songs of any film ever, through it you can’t help but feel every emotion the movie projects. This it was recognised for, as it was nominated for numerous awards for both its sound and effects. They may not be everyone’s come of tea, but the Transformers live on and the theme running through their films is a poignant one. The franchises favourability with audiences told, as it was given a further two sequels and now two prequels as well! You can witness this spectacle of the best of CGI only on DVD now from the Library. See the first of many epic fight scenes by clicking the link below:
Not all sequels go down as well as the original, but in my book these four certainly live upto what was brought before them, and in some cases even out way it. Even the last one deserves a rewatch, who knows you may come to like it even just a little, maybe as a guilty pleasure? Whilst every popular movie does not need a sequel, I for one am sure glad these were made, and definitely believe they deserve more appreciation than they get. To end I shall wish the best of luck to all those sitting their exams in this period! And don’t forget to pop by the Library’s DVD collection or look on e-stream when you need a break.
Not sure how to access e-stream? Then simply click on the link below…
Bradford College Planet Estream.
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