Tinsletown to Rockit in Orlando

Forums have been abuzz for weeks with speculation that the Universal Studios Japan attraction "Hollywood Dream: The Ride" would make it's way to Florida soon. This Wednesday Universal (sorta) confirmed the story, announcing the construction of "Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rockit", a high-tech rollercoaster combining near-miss thrills with music and special effects.

Fears that the ride would follow the same sort of intrusive path through the park as found in Japan were unfounded as the park made clear the route would travel the southern edge of the property from Jimmy Neutron to the Citywalk lagoon and back. You can read the press release here. Much of the success of HRRR may depend largely on something Universal has been unable or unwilling to do much in their parks: technical upkeep. Too many attractions at the Universal parks fail at the little things after very strong starts. Broken animatronics (Revenge of the Mummy), broken effects (RotM, Spiderman), and a tendency to rely heavily on the use of television screens and projections that they fail to maintain. HRRR promises thrills and chills with a soundtrack you select and stage show lights and effects but what kind of experience do you have when they fail like the animatronic in the first scene of Mummy that hasn't come out of his sarcophacus in years?

I guess you just have a rollercoaster, so it better be good. I look forward to finding out.

We Don't Need Another Hero

When we last saw Max Rockatansky he was staggering in the desert, abandoned by enemies no longer interested in his death, watching the plane full of children he saved soar off towards salvation.

All that with a busted head and no ride.

Flash forward 23 years. Director George Miller recently made public plans to not only revive the Mad Max franchise with a fourth film but also with a videogame that he will co-create with God of War II director Cory Barlog.

Now for the bad news.....

Miller also made it known that unlike the delayed "Mad Max 4: Fury Road" started in 2003, this production will not star Mel Gibson. He stated in an article with Level Up blogger and Newsweek.com general editor N'Gai Croal that "He's in his 50s now--it's too old.". This is the same article in which he also reveals that a lot of CG will be used in the film too.

Ahem.......what the F? Did Miller lose his mind along with his credibility? He claims to be using a story in which Max is decades older, a story that could be infinitely more interesting than those told in recent franchise revivals, so why not use Mel? Has Miller's time spent developing the joke of a Justice League movie and it's barely legal cast convinced him that a fresher and cheaper lead is the way to go?

What about that CG? Does a Mad Max film need the slick, $100 million soul-less Hollywood treatent? What the hell is wrong with a well-made, personal story with a character we know played by the original actor and a lot of real stuntmen doing real stunts? Did we learn nothing from the incredible Death Proof car-chase? It's the actor and the story, by the way, that we are putting our money down to see. Not George f-ing Miller.

Also George, while we are on the subject of your current plans, I could care less about how good the video game tie-in turns out if this is the movie that goes with it. This comes from an every day gamer and huge fan of the first three films. What people get mad at George Lucas for doing with the Star Wars prequels and special editions is nothing compared to what you and John Carpenter are doing to your film legacies.

If the current revival of several film franchises with their original stars (John Rambo, Rocky Balboa, Indy 4) and the success they've had doesn't convince you then I'm suspicious of your motives. Kurt Russell was nice enough to be much more honest than most expected and originaly blasted the recasting of his icon Snake Plisken for the Escape From New York remake (excuse me, re-imagining --vomit--) and I applauded him for it. These characters are a part of our collective film experience and were never meant to shared or interpreted like Hamlet, Macbeth or Willy Loman. Kurt Russell is Snake Pliskin, just like Sylvester Stallone is John Rambo and Rocky Balboa, Mel Gibson is Mad Max and Martin Riggs, and Harrison Ford is Solo, Indy and Deckard.

Unlike Batman, Jason Bourne or even James Bond, these characters are forever linked to one person, one (sometimes career-making) performance. They are the combined good fortune and creative will of an actor connecting with his character and the audience. In marketing departments, toy company drawing boards and lunch box companies they may only be commerce, but for that two hours in the dark they are flesh and blood.

So what is it then? Have Gibson's recent controversial moves put him out of favor with Miller or his producers? Does Miller intend on changing the story to suit a younger actor? Do I care? Not really. Without Gibson this isn't Mad Max, it may as well be a Megaforce sequel. It is cinema-non-grata.

Special note to Ridley Scott: recast or remake Blade Runner and I will find you.

Who Needs the Kwik-E Mart? I Do.

Universal Orlando seems to be putting the finishing touches on it's Simpsons Ride. Krusty the Clown's likeness which will adorn the building's facade is on site and looks like it will be in place soon.

The ride takes the place of the Back to the Future attraction and while it's a bitter pill to lose a favorite of mine...hey, it's the Simpsons. BTTF was a fun, motion simulator style attraction that was starting to show it's age. In it's place (the rumors say) is a high-tech makeover complete with new ride vehicles, a state-of-the-art HD screen and ride system. The attraction promises to take visitors into unexplored areas of Springfield as you travel to Krusty's theme park. Expect high doses of amusement park spoofs (and maybe a few shots at Disney).

Check out IOA Central's story here.

Disney Plans for 2011

Rumors at AICN have Disney planning a batch of sequels for 2011. Some suprising, some obvious and some dubious.



Tron 2 - 3D: Oh please let this be true (says the 9 year old inside of me). Disney has been flirting with a follow-up to the film Tron for years but only a videogame came out of it. Let's get Jeff Bridges and do it right.

















Cars 2: This sounds like a dream for Disney and highly unlikely for Pixar, who has so far been very much against sequels. It was a nice retelling of Doc Hollywood but the story and character arc was told. Let it go.


National Treasure 3: The duh of the group. As long as Cage will do these, Disney will pay for them. It's a fun series but a little....empty. Here's hoping something more interesting than Jim Hill's Atlantis theory proves true.


Pirates of the Caribbean 4: As mich as I love Depp and Jack, the Captain was wearing a bit thin on me the last time out. Maybe he just needs a new crew and a story all his own. At least that's what Disney hopes. That way they can tell a more intimate story and not spend as much (POTC3 was rumored to cost close to 300 mil after marketing). Look for the usual adventure story suspects....maybe atlantis, fountain of youth...yada yada. Who needs those? Keep it simple and original.

Pixar Going to 1906

Incredibles and Ratatouille director Brad Bird has yet again set his sights on "1906" according to an interview with the Hollywood Reporter. The story of the San Fransico earthquake was sidetracked in favor of Ratatouille but will resume as a live action film. Bird says Pixar will distribute through a new in-house division or with a partner such as Disney. CGI effects work on the disaster pic are expected to be handled primarily by Pixar.