If I were to tell you that David Koepp (writer on War of the Worlds, Mission Impossible, Jurassic Park: The Lost World, Angels & Demons, Men in Black 3; director of Secret Window) was making a movie starring Johnny Depp, Gwyneth Paltrow, Ewan McGregor, Olivia Munn, Jeff Goldblum, and Paul Bettany, you would probably feel the need to let out a girlish squeal of delight. I know I did. However, even the most beautiful jigsaw puzzle in the world will look like crap if you put it together with super glue and a hammer. Somehow Lionsgate had all the right pieces, but still couldn't make heads nor tails of what they were trying to accomplish.
The premise was interesting enough, but I earnestly believe casting Johnny Depp was a mistake. The character was too mellow for a wild card like Depp, so Depp's attempts to make it his own simply detracted from the original purpose of the protagonist. The characters continually fail to drive the plot and instead are driven in circles by the plot. Each actor is constrained in their role and never really given much to work with. Paul Bettany was the sole exception in his endearing performance as the sex-crazed side-kick, Jock Strapp.
This alleged comedy couldn't have been any more un-funny if they were trying to be. The plot is a never ending mad-dash for a climax that was unable to salvage the dull the introduction and hyperactive rising action. I award it 2 stars on a scale of 5
The premise was interesting enough, but I earnestly believe casting Johnny Depp was a mistake. The character was too mellow for a wild card like Depp, so Depp's attempts to make it his own simply detracted from the original purpose of the protagonist. The characters continually fail to drive the plot and instead are driven in circles by the plot. Each actor is constrained in their role and never really given much to work with. Paul Bettany was the sole exception in his endearing performance as the sex-crazed side-kick, Jock Strapp.
This alleged comedy couldn't have been any more un-funny if they were trying to be. The plot is a never ending mad-dash for a climax that was unable to salvage the dull the introduction and hyperactive rising action. I award it 2 stars on a scale of 5