As one of the last superstars of the last century, Will Smith's new round of comeback in 2019 is obviously much more successful than "Suicide Squad". "Aladdin" in the middle of the year continued Disney’s undefeated myth in the live-action big movie project. At the end of the year, Blue Sky Studio’s "Transfiguration Agent" had not improved at the box office, but it was more entertaining than "Bull Ferdinand." sex.
The only misfire came from Ang Lee’s "Gemini Killer": This twists and turns of the science fiction movie did not rejuvenate under Ang Lee’s obsession with new technology, but once again exposed Lee Ang’s unsuitability in action movies. . The relationship between the characters and the role modeling are ambiguous, and many opportunities are missed in depicting the confrontation between the old and the new. The handling logic of the third act of the street confrontation and the happy ending is even more incredible.
But fortunately, Will Smith’s miss in "Gemini Killer" was also made up in "Jedi Men 3: Speed Pursuit".
【Overview】
"The Jedi Men" in 1995 was the most dazzling debut for the two leading actors-Will Smith and Martin Lawrence-and the director Michael Bay, and for the film career after the three. A considerable degree of prophecy:
At that time, Will Smith, although he had accumulated considerable popularity with his tailor-made "Fresh Prince Wonderful Things", he had not yet become a real movie star. With the success of "Jedi Men", he not only transformed into a world-class action superstar, Mike Lowrey, who is hot and full of personal charm, has also become the original image of almost every commercial action movie of him;
At that time, Martin Lawrence, even though there was already a big hit drama "Martin", but in the 90s when black comedy stars gathered, Eddie Murphy was in absolute dominance. He was not in the movie yet. Get your own share in the market. And Marcus Burnett, who is modeled on "Lethal Weapon" Roger Murtaugh, can still play but always wants to retire, also made Martin Lawrence's film career show late symptoms of self-exploitation. "The Second Detective" and "National Security", the imported "Fatty Professor" elements of the "Jedi Dad" series, quickly overdrafted his career;
At that time, Michael Bay was only a successful commercial director and MV director, and he had not directed any feature films. The plot of "Jedi Men" lacks depth, but it is full of dynamics. The excellent market response has also laid the development path of Michael Bay. The success of several blockbuster action films in succession concealed the fatal fact that word of mouth has never been boosted. After "Pearl Harbor", which was not as good as expected at the box office, Michael Bay got even worse in "Jedi Men 2": The beauty of the car in slow motion has exploded and shifted the camera, which has officially become his personal label. Compared with the previous work, it is totally different.
Twenty-five years after "Jedi Men" and 17 years after "Jedi Men 2", the three filmmakers have become industry legends to varying degrees. What does the reunion of "Jedi Men 3" mean to the three?
【Production】
The distance from Michael Bella is a positive signal released by "Jedi Men 3": He only appeared as an MC in this new sequel, and also used his iconic ring shift when he appeared on the stage. Behind this is certainly the reason for the schedule conflict-"Ghost Attack: Violence with Violence" was being produced at that time-but for "Jedi Men 3", it was a rare blessing.
As the first Bayesian movie in the post-"Transformers" era, "Ghost Attack" reveals that his obsession with Bayhem has been completely out of control. The narrative and character creation are completely out of shape, and the visual effects are also stimulated from the senses. Evolved into pure oppression. In the face of Michael Bay like this, the movie's story/starring presence is extremely low, and it is difficult to change any IP.
In this case, Jerry Bruckheimer's trust in the two new directors and novice screenwriters appears far-sighted. Adil El Abi and Bilal Farah, the Latino directors in "Jedi Men 3", are exceptionally vigorous and at ease. The first part of the series is too comedy, and the second part is forcibly sensational. The third part is also well balanced. Among them, screenwriter Chris Bremner’s rewriting of Joe Kanahan ("Dragon Attack") and Peter Clegg ("The Thieves in the City"), although still vulgar, also has plot connections. Question, but enough.
At a certain level, the "bad vulgarity" of "Jedi Men 3" can actually be regarded as the Latino group's feedback to Hollywood: the output of Hollywood movies in the 1990s, especially to Southern California and South Florida. The depiction of the film gives these dreamy filmmakers sufficient nourishment; and in the process of realizing their dreams in the new era, they also use their unique perspective and experience to add new vitality to these "traditional stories".
【Performance】
Compared with the first two films run by Michael Bay, "Jedi Men 3" is obviously more conscious. Movies no longer objectify women, and no longer have an unusual enthusiasm for the army and firearms. These Bayesian elements often make stories that are ridiculous enough to appear more superficial. Of course, the two scouts no longer bombarded recklessly. It does not mean that the movie has a little bit of action and violence, but just a little more brains.
In addition to action and comedy elements, the story of "Jedi Men 3" is actually quite old-fashioned. If you have a little understanding of the TV dramas in the Western-speaking area, you will find that the bridge between "ex-lover's revenge" and "illegitimate son" can hardly be a bad street. Especially the latter just played it in "Gemini Killer" just now, it was the scene of a car accident.
But "Jedi Men 3" is precisely where "Gemini Killer" "dismissed" an important supplement: such as the convincing interaction and emotional relationship between the protagonist and the supporting role (especially Joe Pantoria Captain played by Nuo); For example, in the comparison between the old and the new, the AMMO team was skillfully used to compare; For example, in the role modeling, the protagonist was not set as the worst "good guy", even most of the time In a position of failure.
It is precisely the existence of these elements that makes Will Smith in "Jedi Men 3" more like a real person, rather than an idol imprisoned in a perfect shape, allowing him to achieve a real life after experiencing the incident. Metamorphosis. The handling of illegitimate children at the end of the film also protects the basic moral sense of the story and the characters and avoids the moral trap of "Captain America 3".
【Summarize】
Compared with the "Jedi Men" of the Bay Times, the successful blood transfusion of "Jedi Men 3" is obviously more sincere and focused. In the past few years, many sequels of old IP have made attempts to humanize traditional (action) heroes, but most of them are immersed in soap bubbles of "self-pity". Although "Jedi Men 3" is too heavy on "Sorrowful Autumn", the introduction of dual protagonists and a group of young characters gives this sorrow a solid foundation and enhances the look and feel of the film.
"Jedi Men 3" will certainly not be a "best of the year" movie, but in terms of its IP, it has shown sufficient vitality and entertainment. The easter eggs at the end of the credits herald the possibility of more sequels, but as far as this series is concerned, it is not necessarily a good thing. Hollywood has always been good at Beat a dead horse, and occasionally beat a dead horse, especially when it was beaten alive by Sony, thank God.
Whether this series will become the next "Fast and Furious" is yet to be known. After all, the nostalgic killer can only be played once, and if you play it again, you really have to lie in the grave.
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