The Quest for a Bad Summer Movie

OK, you may as well get used to this now - I am a nitpicker when it comes to pop culture. I worked in a movie theater for several years, and learned an unfortunate lesson. When you start seeimng movies for free, you watch a lot more of them. You also learn to stop making excuses for unenjoyable film, and become a lot more critical. I have long since left the cinema business (10 years today, actually), but the habit does not die.

That being said, this summer has had me worried that I had gone soft. I have watched seven movies this summer, and liked six of them. Furthermore, I have had very few complaints about any of them. If you extend the time period back to April, that's seven movies in a short time span where I had very few complaints. This is unheard of. It's times like these that I, and people used to my opinionated nature wonder if I am sick, or if the world will soon end.

Now, I will not a few caveats. I did not watch everything. Speed Racer got skipped. If I could skip Sex and the City twice, I would. I ran out of time and missed Zohan. However, I watched most of the other blockbusters. Iron Man - phenomenal. Prince Caspian - well done. Hulk - separated from Iron Man only by Downey's performance. Get Smart - clever comedy. Wall-E - classic. Wanted - fun action. Yes, I skipped Indiana Jones 4 on purpose, I don't want to talk about it right now - possibly ever.

So, I decided I would quest for a bad movie. Rules are - watch a movie that I was interested in seeing, and have it disappoint. (As Indy so excelled at this task, I find it unfair to other bad cinema to include here.) So, first up - Hancock. It had all the makings of disappointment. Action film under 100 minutes - check. Entire plot revealed in previews - check. Akiva Goldsman - check. (I don't care if he does have an Oscar, he's still responsible for Batman and Robin's script.)
Verdict - did not hate it, but this is more of an average. Movie starts great. Smith is great. Dialogue was plenty of fun, and the action sequences were good. The movie was on the verge of being really good. Then they give the twist. I won't spoil it here, but while it is no "Psychic Aliens" (Screw you, George Lucas), it is pretty lame and sloppy.

Here's the problem, though. I did not have high expectations. So, with the movie merely coming out average, my search has to continue. Hellboy 2 will be the next attempt, but we all know that one will turn out fine. Same for Batman. Surely, I will not make it to August before I am underwhelmed.

If all else fails, Lucas does have "Star Wars Clone Wars" out that month. If I can hype myself up for it - I'm sure I can count on George.