Summer Preview (Part Two)

Summer Preview (Part Two)

We're halfway through what has been a rather diverse summer thus far, so lets take a look at some of the films still to hit cinemas before autumn.

Ted

Director: Seth Macfarlane

Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Seth Macfarlane, Mila Kunis

Release Date: August 1st

Haaaave you met Ted? Family Guy creator Seth Macfarlane's first foray into live action features sees a young boy's teddy bear come to life, only to grow up and become as foul-mouthed and immature as its owner. Now a man, John (Mark Wahlberg) hopes to marry his long-term girlfriend Lori (Mila Kunis), however she feels the relationship can't move forward with John's bear Ted (voiced and motion-captured by Seth Macfarlane) constantly driving them apart.

The premise is original, the cast are exciting and (according to American reviews) the comedy is top notch, even on a par with Family Guy at its best. Seth Macfarlane seems to be splitting himself constantly between all his projects, however it looks like he may be back on top form at last. Mark Wahlberg has proven himself to be a more than capable comedy actor, holding his own opposite Will Ferrel in The Other Guys, and Mila Kunis is one of the most diverse new talents of recent years. Hopefully Ted can offer us a refreshingly comedic affair following the seriously tense superhero extravaganzas of recent weeks.

Total Recall

 
 

Director: Len Wiseman

Cast: Colin Farrel, Kate Beckinsale, Jessica Biel, Bill Nighy

Release Date: August 3rd

Welcome to Recall. This remake of one of Arnie's biggest hits sees factory worker Doug Quaid (Colin Farrel) living in a futuristic world where Earth has been divided into two superpowers. Suffering from violent nightmares, and depressed with his boring existence, Doug seeks the help of the 'Rekall' corporation, which provides its clients with memories that they wish to have. Suddenly hit with the realisation that his mind holds that of a dormant secret agent's, Doug must find out who he really is and why his memory has been erased.

Yet another (slightly unnecessary) Hollywood remake, Total Recall looks exciting enough by the trailers. Colin Farrel seems like an odd choice to portray a character previously performed by Arnold Schwarzenneger, however the script and the intriguing story full of twists and turns should be enough to keep the film from becoming a forgettable affair.

The Bourne Legacy

 
 

Director: Tony Gilroy

Cast: Jeremy Renner, Rachel Weisz, Edward Norton

Release Date: August 13th

There was never just one. The fourth instalment in the 'Bourne' franchise  is a departure from the norm as Jeremy Renner takes over from Matt Damon in the lead role. Aaron Cross (Jeremy Renner), an agent of Operation Outcome, may find that his employers are not as trustworthy as they seem. 'Jason Bourne was just the tip of the iceberg,' states antagonist Eric Byer (Edward Norton). Defying his organisation's unethical commands, as well as avoiding their decision to annihilate all of their agents, Aaron goes on the run with scientist Marta Shearling (Rachel Weisz). Jason Bourne set the wheels in motion for something much bigger which Aaron Cross will now have to deal with.

The original Bourne trilogy, starring Matt Damon in the pivotal role as Jason Bourne, was a fantastic success. Sceptics have raised eyebrows at Jeremy Renner's ability to carry the new film (and the possible sequels to follow), however given the actor's brilliant action performances in Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol and The Avengers, as well as his fantastic character driven role in Oscar-winner The Hurt Locker, the Bourne series should be in perfectly safe hands.

The Expendables 2

 
 

Director: Simon West

Cast: Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Chuck Norris, Bruce Willis, Arnold Schwarzenneger

Release Date: August 17th

Thought The Avengers was action packed? Think again. The Expendables 2 reunites the world's biggest action heroes in an ensemble cast that could form their own private army. Following a botched job in which one of their own is killed by rival mercenary Jean-Vilain (Jean-Claude Van Damme), the Expendables venture into hostile territory - with some familiar new recruits. Revenge is the name of the game, as Barney Ross (Sylvester Stallone) and Lee Christmas (Jason Statham) seek to avenge their fallen brother-in-arms. 

Following very brief and disappointing cameos from Arnie and Bruce Willis in the first outing, Expendables 2 looks to be fleshing out their roles. Plus it's going to be pretty awesome watching Jean-Claude Van Damme go toe to toe with Sylvester Stallone. Hell, let's just watch stuff blow up for a couple of hours.

Premium Rush

 
 

Director: David Koepp
Cast: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Michael Shannon, Jamie Chung
Release Date: September 14th

Time for rush hour. The hype surrounding Premium Rush has been minimal, however if the trailers are anything to go by it should be an intriguing, exciting film in the style of Jason Statham's 'Transporter' movies. Joseph Gordon-Levitt stars as Wilee, a New York bike messenger who picks up an envelope from Columbia University. Bobby (Michael Shannon), a corrupt cop, tries to steal the envelope, prompting Wilee to take a sneak peek at its contents. Discovering the importance of the package, Wilee avoids cops and crooks alike as he weaves his way through the fast and furious traffic of New York city to get it delivered.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt's status as an actor has improved dramatically following his brilliant roles in Inception and The Dark Knight Rises, so if anything will carry this film it's him. While the premise of the movie is a little cheesy, Premium Rush looks like an hour and a half of fun which takes its inspiration from Transporter.
 

Looper
Director: Rian Johnson
Cast: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Bruce Willis, Emily Blunt
Release Date: 28th September
 

Joseph Gordon-Levitt can expect to rake in the cash this September, as he also takes the lead role in Looper. Set in a futuristic world in which time travel has been made illegal, Joseph Simmons (Gordon-Levitt) is a 'Looper,' an assassin who kills people sent back to his time from the future. There is only one rule: never let your target escape. Easy enough, until one of Joseph's targets turns out to be a future version of himself (Bruce Willis). His older self overpowers him, and the failure of this job causes Joseph's employers to hunt him down and attempt to kill him. Dodging his trackers, Joseph has to find and kill his future self in order to stay alive...but what does that mean for his the rest of his life?

One of the most original movies of the year so far, Looper looks like an exciting thrill ride with an excellent time-travel twist. Bruce Willis has been in some slightly lacklustre B-Movie action films lately, however this (as well as The Expendables 2) should allow him to reclaim his crown as action king. The plot is fresh (thank goodness - we're getting far too many remakes and sequels this year) and, judging by the trailers, the film will be full of action packed, edge of your seat scenes. And who ever expected Joseph Gordon-Levitt to end up playing a younger Bruce Willis?

Overall, there are still plenty more exciting movies coming our way this summer. The Dark Knight Rises may have toppled its competition this week, but 2012's great movies are far from over.

Check back to Movies Under The Microscope for reviews of all these films when they are released!

By Dean Johnstone