THE ADVENTURES OF ROCKY AND BULLWINKLE
Directed by Des McAnuff
Starring Robert De Niro, Rene Russo, Jason Alexander
JUNE 30
For those who cringe at the idea of having to experience the famously crude animation of the original Rocky and Bullwinkle series on the big screen, never fear-this big-budget update of Jay Ward's beloved cartoon (celebrating its 40th anniversary) is actually in the same vein as Who Framed Roger Rabbit, placing everyone's favorite flying squirrel/moose tandem in an otherwise live-action world. More than just a simple retread of the original series, the new film works under the premise that the show was cancelled, leaving Rocky and Bullwinkle in the real world, looking for work. They suddenly have a chance to save the day when diabolical Fearless Leader (De Niro) and his henchmen, Boris (Alexander of Seinfeld) and Natasha (Rene Russo) manage to escape into flesh and blood bodies and plot to take over the world. The script promises to be filled with the same kind of sly pop-culture references and parodies that made the original show such a cult favorite. The preview looks amusing and the filmmakers appear to have put some legitimate thought into a potentially clever story. But the real question is whether today's youth will flock to see cartoon characters who had their heyday decades ago.
THE KID
Director Jon Turteltaub
Starring Bruce Willis, Spencer Breslin, Lily Tomlin
JULY 7
If you saw yourself as a 40-year old when you were eight, how would you react? When Russ Duritz (Bruce Willis) meets eight-year-old Rusty (Spencer Breslin), he did not have the slightest clue that his life would be forever changed. Rusty, a sweet, but slightly geeky, pudgy little kid plays the young Willis who is not at all happy with who he turns out to be-a 40-year old loser "image consultant" without a wife, or a dog. Breslin helps Willis to remember his childhood dreams in order to become the adult that he really wants to be. Banking on the uncanny success of the Bruce Willis-young kid-quality script trio that worked so well for The Sixth Sense, Disney's The Kid may prove to be the surprise hit of the summer.
THE PERFECT STORM
Directed by Wolfgang Peterson
Starring George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg
JUNE 30
You gotta love Wolfgang Peterson summer popcorn flicks. (Not Wolfgang Puck. He makes pizzas. Though Spago's pies in the summer time are warm and refreshing!) In any case, The Perfect Storm, Peterson's entry in to this year's derby, is building up buzz as the film to beat. His films always have a balance of compelling drama and the requisite action; Air Force One and In the Line of Fire both were international box-office smashes. Here, Clooney and Walhberg (it's two of the Three Kings) star in the adaptation of the best selling book about a monster storm that attacks a boat of hapless fishermen. It's Twister plus Jaws-the giant shark. Besides its disaster movie attraction, The Perfect Storm has several things going for it. 1) Movies with waves always do well. i.e. Deep Imact. 2) It's opening on the prime July 4 weekend (though The Patriot will provide stiff competition). 3) Peterson has a built in fan base and 4) Warner Bros. is going bonkers with promotion. So will it be Perfect or a Storm in a teacup? All signs are pointing to the former.
X MEN
Directed by Bryan Singer
Starring Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Hugh Jackman
JULY 14
The premise comes straight from the comic book: Professor Charles Xavier leads a group of superpowered mutants against the evil forces of Magneto, a mutant bent on destroying humanity. Amidst the persecution of a society that fears and hates them, the X-Men seek the allegiance of a new mutant named Wolverine, who must make a choice. Does he choose Xavier's idealistic dream of a peaceful co-existence between humanity and mutantkind, or does he opt for Magneto's vision of a world in which mutants replace humans on top of the evolutionary ladder? Translating a comic book onto the silver screen is no easy task-just ask Joel Schumacher of Batman infamy. But die-hard X-fans rejoiced when Bryan Singer (The Usual Suspects) signed on to direct the adaptation of the most popular comic book of all time. Singer's reputation for making edgy, character-driven films ensures that X-Men will have substance underneath all the flash. Add to this an A-list cast (Stewart was born to play Professor X) and a healthy dose of special effects, and you get a summer blockbuster that does justice to its comic book inspiration. It wouldn't be a stretch to call this the most eagerly anticipated comic flick of all time. Fans of the X-Men have waited patiently for years to see their favorite heroes and villains in live action, and you can be sure that they'll be out in force July 14. Advance peeks at the production, including the costumes and special effects, look extremely promising, though there has been some Internet outrage from traditionalists who prefer the blue-and-yellow uniforms of the comic book over the Matrix-esque black leather used in the film. Nevertheless, there is every indication that X-Men will be one of the smash-hits of the summer.
TEXAS RANGERS
Directed by Steve Miner
Starring James Van Der Beek, Dylan McDermott
AUGUST 25
Ahh yes. Ever since James Van Der Beek demonstrated his dramatic prowess as a hunky high-school quarterback in Varsity Blues, the rest of the God-fearing world has been anxiously awaiting his next big-screen performance. Substituting football pants for equally tight leather chaps, this time Van Der Beek serves under one legendary cowboy, Leander McNelly (Dylan McDermott) and must woo Joey Potter and simultaneously battle an army of renegade outlaws, namely John King Fisher (Alfred Molina) and Pacey Witter. The hype is good for this gun toting, rough riding drama set in Texas, 1875, the one setback being it threatens to diminish the number of syllables Dawson can intelligently use in a sentence to just under one. Seriously, in their quest for freedom, the Texas Rangers put it all on the line to protect their homeland, their country, their women and the Potter B&B-after all, they have a history.