Divergent blockbuster paths

MANILA, Philippines - The seemingly endless surfeit of summer movies is well underway, and aside from draining our pockets, we have been treated thus far to an interesting flick mix. While it’s a little too easy to fault the Hollywood gods for being such sequel-happy slackers, we happily (with nary a trace of guilt) queue up like good little boys and girls eager for their graduation presents. There’s again lessons to be learned somewhere, and I’m not just talking about morals of films, either.

For producers, nothing quells the hit-or-miss uncertainty quite like going with the proven — whether stars of the moment, ideas of the moment, or franchises of the moment.

Take Hangover 2, for instance. It has become the sleeper hit (yeah, well that one was too tempting) — as easy as the decision, perhaps, to make a Kung Fu Panda sequel.

We had so much fun in the first one, the unlikely “wolf pack” of Phil (Bradley Cooper), Stu (Ed Helms), Allan (Zach Galifianakis), and Doug (Justin Bartha) just had to come back for another intoxicated run. I’m sure you’d agree that Allan alone could keep us enthralled in a spinoff. Zach could probably milk that character sketch he’s doing for years to come. Last year’s Due Date (with Robert Downey Jr.) proves that point. Then don’t forget the knee-slapping, over-the-top performance of Ken Jeong as the oily Mr. Chow. He just had to be back; every part of him, in fact.

Rather, everyone had to be back. A box-office take of $277M can’t be wrong, now can it? Now Hangover 2 is well on its way to throwing up on that figure, raking in $215M in three short weeks (a staggering $86M of it on its record-breaking Memorial Day weekend debut).

I quote the figures because they help us better appreciate how a no-brainer, special effects-starved movie can be lay to waste everything in its path. With what, you may ask. With crude humor, off-kilter lines, some simulated drug use, and one (spoiler alert) nonsensical boxing legend appearance.

I was mildly disappointed at the outset when Phil makes the fateful call. “It’s happened again,” he tells Stephanie (Sasha Barrese), wife of fellow “wolf” Doug. Okay, if it’s Hangover redux, they could have opted to change other stuff in it, right? Couldn’t the hangover have been a figurative one? Then more same-old, same-old: Trying to piece together the events of the previous night’s debauchery.

We are made to go through all-too-familiar territory, change of scenery notwithstanding. Still, how can you not watch it? And how can you chastise a film that’s only being true to itself? If you don’t like it, don’t watch it. Just don’t blame me if you’re the only one at work who can’t get the jokes. Oh, and stay for the credits. As before, much is revealed when the text begins to scroll up.

Meanwhile, more recently, Super 8 has found itself on the top of the box-office heap — showing that divergent types of movies can have the same successful result. Set in the late ‘70s, a group of friends making a super 8 flick for a contest witnesses a horrific train crash as the film is rolling. It’s not your typical derailment, and it’s not your typical cargo. All heck breaks loose for an erstwhile sleepy small town (is there any other kind?) in Ohio, and it’s not because LeBron’s Heat lost, either.

Directed, written, and co-produced by J.J. Abrams, the guy who brought us Star Trek in 2009 and Mission Impossible III in 2006, Super 8 is also notably co-produced by someone named Steven Spielberg.

Now that I’ve gotten your attention, you mustn’t let Super 8 pass you by and opt for the DVD release in the near future. It’s meant to be enjoyed onscreen because of all the action, loud freakin’ noises and various sundries that I don’t want to reveal because I am willing to invoke “spoiler alert” only once in an article. There’s plenty of drama and conflicted characters thrown in as well — developed mildly so as not to “derail” the visual candy.

There’s plenty of production values here, and plenty of great acting from young people, to boot — particularly the lead actor Joel Courtney (who plays the dutiful friend and infatuated pre-teen Joe Lamb) and Elle Fanning (as the strong-willed Alice). And, yes, if you’re wondering, she is related to Dakota Fanning (who’s her elder sister, in fact).

Super 8 has a coming-of-age feel like the classic Stand By Me, rather than a full-on adventure. But I digress. Isn’t puberty the quintessential adventure? How great is that? Barely a week after its release, Super 8 is closing in on $40M already. Yes, it’s that great.