Sequel Excitement

Longtime readers of this blog know that I was quite unimpressed with all the sequels (mostly 3rds) that hit the cineplexes in 2007. So let me share with you my excitement about two upcoming sequels. Both of them are comic book adaptations starring superheroes, which I think means intelligent people are supposed to hate them. If so, intelligent people will be missing out, 'cause these are gonna be two badass movies - on back-to-back weeks. I could hardly be more excited.

1. Hellboy II: The Golden Army. Coming July 11, 2008



The first Hellboy was stellar - if you didn't see it in theaters, kick yourself. The creative cred here is unbelievable - comic creator Mike Mignola is one of the best comics artists of all-time, and director Guillermo Del Toro has made some awesome blockbusters (Blade II, Hellboy) and compelling indie horror flicks (The Devil's Backbone, Pan's Labyrinth). The second installment of this franchise features an original story from del Toro and Mignola, the ugliest man in Hollywood, Ron Perlman, reprising his role as the paranormal investigator, and yes, Arrested Development's unlovable patriarch Jeffrey Tambor as his grouchy boss. Don't miss it.

2.The Dark Knight. July 18th, 2007.

Like del Toro, Dark Knight director Christopher Nolan has had indie darlings (The Following, Memento) and blockbusters (Batman Begins, mostly). He's back for this round, as is most of the cast that led me to suggest that Batman Begins had the greatest cast ever (Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, Gary Oldman, Cillian Murphy, Tom Wilkinson, Liam Neeson, and Rutger Hauer! Damn). We (probably?) won't have Hauer, Wilkinson (dead?) or Neeson (dead???) for this round, but we've got the final(?) film role of Heath Ledger as consolation. Plus, super-crappy actress Katie Holmes, the first film's only casting oops, is replaced by super-awesome actress Maggie Gyllenhahl. And, there's a batcycle. What more could you want?

For one week in July, the American populace will experience sequel awesomeness. You better enjoy it now.