Yes, even the most cynical movie fan amongst us has occasionally bought into the hype surrounding a film. But when something sounds to good to be true, it usually is.
We Wanted to Like Them...
Miami Vice - Michael Mann's visual style seemed to be the perfect match for a film version of the classic '80s TV series. And on paper the pairing of Colin Farrell and Jamie Foxx seemed like an interesting idea. Who would have thought this 2006 version of Miami Vice (which had nothing to do with the series) would turn out to be such a bust?
All the King's Men - Loaded with so much star power it would have been nearly impossible to shove one more name on the marquee, this 2006 remake not only got slammed by the critics, but also ignored by audiences.
Snakes on a Plane - So here it is. Finally a studio film that not only listened to what audiences wanted out of a campy B-movie with Samuel L Jackson, snakes, and a plane, but actually altered the script and shot new scenes in response to online buzz. Yet when Snakes slithered into theaters, the pre-release hype did not translate into box office bucks. What exactly this means for future films of this ilk is yet to be determined. Was it the plot, the cast, or the fact people just don't like snakes and planes to mix?
Superman Returns - I actually feel bad listing Superman Returns as a disappointment (I enjoyed it and I'm not a Superman-type person). The film did well during its theatrical run and the majority of critics seemed to approve of Bryan Singer's vision for the franchise. But the lack of fight scenes and an interesting villain made some Superman fans cry foul. But never fear, director Singer's determined to do another Superman film and rumors have it that the next one will include more action - and a better storyline.
