LuckyWillHOLLYWOOD'S MID-LIFE CRISIS – Rocky, McClane, Indy, who’s next?
October 15th 2008 06:40
Not as young as they used to be
The list goes on with Harrison Ford cracking the whip once again as the 66 year old treasure hunter returning for a fourth Indy instalment. Even the ‘Ghostbusters’ are making progress towards a return after spending 20 years delaying the inevitable. Dan Aykroyd has been pushing the idea for a third film for years, as have the fans, but some of the old crew, Bill Murray in particular, were reluctant to get on board. But now everyone is looking keen to get things moving again. The writers from ‘The Office’ have begun work on the script and it’s rumoured that the old boys will be adding some new talent to their team of proton powered spiritual exterminators so we could even see a 4, 5 and 6.
So with all these comebacks going on, who else should seek to recapture their youth?
Jim Carey is one of my favourite actors and while I think he does a great job with the serious roles, i.e., ‘The Truman Show’, ‘The Majestic’ and ‘The Number 23’ (fantastic film), he is really in his element playing some kind of bouncy, nutty, lunatic, i.e. ‘The Mask’, ‘Liar Liar’, ‘Ace Ventura’. For anyone who has seen an event that Carey has participated in, he is usually the one who randomly breaks into song or dances with strangers to ensure all eyes are on him. Jim Carey unleashed can be extremely funny. However there are now three films in which he has starred, that have gone on without him to produce a sequel of lesser quality. ‘The Mask’ did very well upon its release and was nominated (and received) a host of awards; the sequel, ‘Son of the Mask’, foolishly went on without Carey and fell harder than the careers of those involved. Jim Carey also played Bruce Nolan in ‘Bruce Almighty’, a film in which he is given the power of God after criticising his creator’s work ethic. His then co-star, Steve Carrel, took over in the sequel ‘Evan Almighty’ which was still good, but not in the same style as the first.
Now they are making ‘Ace Ventura 3’, reviving one of the films in which Carey was at his irreverent best as the Pet Detective with no regard for anyone but himself and his animals. The style of humour was slapstick at times but Carey stole every scene that he was part of with topical impersonations, witty insults and behaviour verging on the insane for most of the film. He was so good that he actually made a sequel, reprising a role for the first and only time in his entire career. Unfortunately ‘Ace Ventura 3’ is actually called ‘Ace Ventura Jnr’ and no, Jim Carey will not be in it. So it appears this franchise is heading down the same path as ‘Son of the Mask’; a film that revolves around Jim Carey, continuing without him. Why else would you see it?
If anyone should be making a comeback to revive past roles it should be Jim Carey. Forget about ‘Son of the Mask’ and, most likely, ‘Ace Ventura Jnr’. Take a page from the makers of the recent ‘Incredible Hulk’ film and just pretend the other one didn’t happen. It would be great to see the Pet Detective or the masked hooligan reek havoc on the world once again but only the best will do. Either bring back the star or don’t even bother.
If Michael J Fox were not suffering from his unfortunate condition I would have expected his character, Marty McFly, to continue hopping Back to the Future as we saw him do almost 2 decades ago. A similar time frame has passed since Bruce Campbell (Ash) did battle against the ‘Army of Darkness’ in the Evil Dead Saga in 1992. Number four of that franchise is set to be on its way as early as 2009, as Campbell once again battles the undead, with boom stick in one hand and chainsaw in the other. Mel Gibson killed off any hopes of a ‘Mad Max’ or ‘Lethal Weapon’ revival despite scripts and producers being ready for action. ‘Mad Max 4: Fury Road’ will still go ahead but it seems they will just follow in the terminator foot steps and let someone else take it from here as the star.
Did I forget anyone? Who do you think will be next to venture down memory lane?
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