Silver Surfer - Script Review

Post based on the script 'Silver Surfer' by John Turman.

The Verdict:

On-the-nose writing and a far too alien superhero weigh this script down, although it has many good ideas.

What's it about?

Silver Surfer comes to Earth as the herald for the planet-eating alien Galactus. But with human contact, the Silver Surfer learns about compassion, friendship and love, all the while a philandering, alien-sceptic SETI worker and a blind woman have to find a way to stop Galactus.

Observations:

1. The Writing is so 'in your face' sometimes, like this (p. 39):

She looks transcendent in her compassion. Ray's in love, he just doesn't know it yet.

This is the end of the interrogation scene between Ray and Alicia, but instead of showing his beginng love to us, the script just says Ray's in love, which is kind of lazy.

2. The Structure of the movie was really off: The Set-Up and whole first act took ages, it is only on p. 66 that both protagonists define their goal of the movie:

RAY

And save the world?

ALICIA

Why not? Someone's got to.

3.  Two unbalanced main characters: The logline says it all. Silver Surfer comes to Earth and goes on a sight-seeing tour, he is stunned by the human's capability to love and feel and frightened that so many of them choose to be evil. On the other hand are Ray and Alicia, who desperately try to save Silver Surfer from the army (which he can do own his own, by the way) and finally stopping Galactus from eating Earth. But they didn't need the help of the Silver Surfer to stop doom. Ray figured out Galactus' interest in music, it was nothing Silver Surfer learned on Earth, or something Ray from Silver Surfer.
Unfortunately this plays out like an alien invasion script with a silver guy surfing through it.
I understand the problem, Silver Surfer, or Norrin-Rad, is too alien for the typical superhero movie. His backstory doesn't play on Earth, so it is really hard to find a concept that makes him relatable. Regrettably, this script makes him far too removed from the protagonists.

The Project: 
A long list of people where attached to the adaptation of Silver Surfer over the years. Starting with Bernd Eichinger and George Lucas, then Quentin Tarantino. Many screenwriters like Richard Jefferies, Rudy Gaines, John Rice, Andrew Kevin Walker (Se7en, Sleepy Hollow), Don Payne (Thor, Fantastic Four 2), J. Michael Straczynski (Babylon 5) tried their hands at the script over the last two decades, but after the box office failure of Fantastic Four 2 it doesn't seem too likely, that there will ever be a Silver Surfer movie on the silver screen.


As always, I would like to hear your opinions on the topic: Would you like to see a Silver Surfer Sequel? Or rather a reboot/re-imagening? Did you read Turman's script? What is your impression of the writing?
Comment section works without registration, just choose Anonymous and write on!

- Tristan

ZergNet

Looking Cool - Visuality in Comic Blockbusters

Film is a visual media. Granted, there is sound adding to it.

But foremost it is a sensational thrill for the eyes. Directors and Producers cater to that by delivering epic spectacles for the summer blockbuster crowd. But not every movie seems to hit that mark. What is the difference between an engaging and a boring blockbuster?

Premise: 'The visuality of a superhero decides over it's fate at the box-office'

I know, it sounds trivial, but let's take a closer look, alright?! 

1. Hulk / The Incredible Hulk

Both movies, enjoyed different critical success, but nonetheless both only earned around 130 million dollar in cinemas when they came out. But why did both movies hardly take in their production costs? 

As the two movies share the same superhero, we can guess it is a fault of the figure of Hulk. After-all he is green monster stomping through cities and grunting incomprehensible. 

It just doesn't look cool! Identification is really hard with this superhero. Let's take a look at another Marvel hero...

2. Iron Man / Iron Man 2

With the same production budget as the Hulk movies, the two Iron Man films managed to cash in slightly over 300 million dollar, although Iron Man 2 also fell through with the critics. 

So, why did they take in that much money? 

As above we have to blame - or rather thank - the main protagonist: Iron Man is a cool, sleek and elegant superhero. Possibly every child dreamt of donning a armor suit, flying and shooting rockets from it's arms. 

Summary:

After these short observations, I hope I made my point clearer. On paper Hulk and Iron Man are not that different, with their haunted past and dangerous 'super power'. The difference is that Hulk has not the same visual appeal like Iron Man. 

Preview:

I thought about writing this post, when I heard about some comic properties being developed right now. I don't want to criticize movies, that are not even released, I just want to voice my fears and doubts concerning some upcoming comic book movies:

1. Ant-Man

Ant-Man can shrink to the size of an ant and communicate with insects. The script has to find a enemy, that can be beaten by turning very small, which I find a strange Idea.

It was used to comedic effect in "Honey, I shrunk the kids', but in an effect-laden action blockbuster it might appear out of place.

2. Wasp

Wasp also shrinks in size, but additionally grows wings and can shoot energy blasts.

A little bit like Angel in X-Men: First Class, without the shrinking part and that already looked silly. I remember the whole audience snicker, when she spit her 'energy balls'.

That's it for today,

- Tristan

As always: the comment section below works without registration, just choose "Comment as Anonymous" - I am looking forward to your comments. And if you like my blog be sure to become my follower - Thanks

'Sub-Mariner' Script Review

Based on the script by David Self (Jan 2004)


Summary:

A visually-stunning Superhero movie, that delivers a great deal of action, but fails to connect on an emotional level. The unsurprising story is filled with cookie-cutter characters and flat dialogue.

What's it about?

The rebellious orphan Narmor struggles to proctect the City of Atlantis from the evil duke Kraang, who captured a submarine and plans to take over the throne of Atlantis, after he finds out that he turns into the a superhuman/amphibian-hybrid when he dives deep enough

Plot Summary:

In the first scene Japanese fishermen find a baby in one of their nets and decide to leave at the doorsteps of the american base. The baby grows up, not loved by his surrogate father and failing in every aspect of life. In an rebellious act, Namor leaves the base aboard an airplane headed to save a sunken submarine. Leader of the rescue team is Jane, a strong-headed, but sensible woman. The fall in love, of course. 

On the first deep-sea deployment, Jane's equipment goes haywire and Namor goes after her to save her. When his suit implodes and Namor is exposed to the sea, he transforms into superhuman/fish. But before he can save Jane, both are captured by Duke Kraang and brought to Atlantis . The superpowered Namor can escape with Jane, but back on the ship nobody believes their story. The generals, who have seen what Namor turned into, want to dissect him, so Namor has to escapes again, this time going back to Atlantis. There he is enslaved, but nonetheless gets the chance to save the Emperor of Atlantis, Thakkoris. 

We find out that Kraang plans a war on humankind and wants to betray the Emperor. He secretly built a massive army in a huge vulcanic underground city and starts and attack on the City of Atlantis. Kraang is supported by the sonar of the submarine he captured, which proves to be deadly for all kind of fish and amphibians. All the while Namor discovers that he is the grandson of Thakkoris and now that Atlantis is his real home, he fights Kraang and saves the city.

The Project:

Marvel's Namor is one of the first superheroes, debuting in 1939. In 2006 Universal Pictures signed Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines director Jonathan Mostow to rewrite and direct Marvel Studios' Sub-Mariner (Superherohype.com). In 2008 Jason Statham was in talks to take the role of Namor (Beyondhollywood.com). In 2011 he makes a little cameo in Captain America: The First Avenger, but yet has to star in his own movie.

Remarks:

- The Love Story: Jane and Nix confess their affection for one another very early in the script - and it never plays any role at all! He does nothing to get back to her and seems to have forgotten her completely by the time he turns out to be the heir of Atlantis.Both lovers come from different worlds and can never be together, but that doesn't mean, that there can't be any lovestory. The recent Thor mastered the star-crossed lovers approach and it gave the whole movie more gravitas.

- The Visuals: the rich and amazing environment in this script are truly fantastic. The deep undersea world depicted in this script would have had a huge appeal to any movie lover. But the movie would have a huge price tag. For example, in the big finale an army of Shark Legions fight against Squid Riders, all the while huge maelstroms on the water surface suck down the human armada - only 200+ mil could bring this world to the silver screen.

Blake Snyder's Save the Cat! - Movie Category:Comic Super Hero

(1) a power the hero is imbued with - Nix transforms into Namor underwater: Check!

(2) a "Nemesis", an equally powerful bad guy - Kraang: Check!

(3) a "curse" or Achilles heel - out of water Nix is normal human: Check!

(4) The mascot or sidekick - No!

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ZergNet

'Dr. Strange' - Script Review

Based on the script by Alex Cox (1990)

Summary:

The script from 1990 is sometimes camp, mostly fun and a refreshingly different take on the superhero genre. But to be really sucessful the plot of the script is too uneven and the characters too flat. 

What's it about?

Enigmatic Dr. Strange, his old mentor Kardell and his sidekicks Wong & Tanya have three days to find out where the Demon-Overlord Dormammu, with the help of his henchman Mordo, will open the gate to the Dark Dimension and take over the world.

Plot Summary:
The film's plot starts by Mordo paying a visit to the old man Kardell. Mordo says that his boss, Dormammu wants to take over the world and the only thing standing in his way are he, Kardell, and Dr. Strange. After this nice banter, Mordo goes on and tries to kill Kardell, but he can escape.

Through a ritual, Kardell and his former pupil Dr. Strange find out, that they have only three days left until the gate will be opened. To gather more information Dr. Strange goes on a astral journey, leaving his body vulnerable behind. His astral body spies on Mordo, but is discovered and involved in a heavy fight over the roofs of the city. Tanya sees this fight and pays a visit to Dr. Strange the next morning. She tells him about her prophetic dreams, which involves Kardell being killed. Instantly Dr. Strange tries to save his old mentor, but fails. To escape Mordo and his henchman Dr. Strange and Tanya go on the run, followed by the enemy. Dr. Strange can fight them of, but Tanya can't take it anymore and wants out. She stays at a motel, while Dr. Strange takes an astral journey to find out more about Mordo's goals. This is exactly what Mordo waited for and he kidnaps Tanya and Dr. Strange's body, which he beats up pretty bad.
The three days are over now and the portal starts to open over the Easter Islands. In a final move to stop the upcoming apocalypse, Dr. Strange summons every former master, including Merlin and Kardell. Together they can stop Dormammu from coming into our world, but he pulls Tanya down with him. Dr. Strange rushes into the closing portal to save her. Inside the Dark Dimension, an indescribable place without space and time. There, Dr. Strange has to fight Mordo to the death for the pleasure of Dormammu. Dr. Strange wins and takes Tanya out of the Dark Dimension. But she is so changed by this experience, that she ascends to a higher step of evolution, but promises to see him "very soon". 

Observations:

- The Logline and script name could evoke the expactation that this script is about Dr. Strange, but Alex Cox chose a different route. Dr. Strange has gained his powers long before the script starts and he doesn't evolve throughout the movie: Dr. Strange is not the main protagonist! Tanya, who discovers her powers and learns to live with them in this film, is the main protagonist. The problem is, she plays not a big role in the script, which makes the dynamics unbalanced.
- The script is the closest I have ever read to comic pulp. People in capes shooting 'energy blasts' from their hands, astral journeys and demons from the Dark Dimension? To be honest this would be a refreshing and interesting take on the superhero genre, after all the self-consious, afflicted and serious superheroes of the last decade. Additionally, the movie has heavy reference to the green movement of 1990s. Don't expect to see that in a new version!
- The project was shelved and revived numerous times. Dozen of production companies and writes took turns on the Marvel property. Dimension, Miramax and Paramount Pictures all held the rights to make a script at one time or another. People associated with the project were: Wes Craven, David S. Goyer and Guillermo del Toro, just to name a few. Now Marvel owns the property and hired 'Conan the Barbarian' scribes Thomas Donnelly and Joshua Oppenheimer to pen the newest take on Dr. Strange.

Blake Snyder's Save the Cat! - Movie Category: Superhero

(1) a power the hero is imbued with - Omni-potent cosmic powers? Check!

(2) a "Nemesis", an equally powerful bad guy -Evil Demon Overlord from the Dark Dimension? Check!

(3) a "curse" or Achilles heel - Elegantly solved by the use of astral journey, which leave the body of Dr. Strange vulnerable: Check!

(4) The mascot or sidekick -Wong is the comedic sidekick, although he "takes a vacation" in the middle of the script and is replaced with Tanya. Check!


As always: the comment section below works without registration, just choose "Comment as Anonymous" - I am looking forward to your comments.
And if you like my blog be sure to become my follower - Thanks!

- Tristan

ZergNet

'Black Widow' - Script Review

Based on the script by David Hayter (2004) 

Summary:
Uninspiring and bland describe the Black Widow Script best. It is a by-the-numbers superhero story without deviating from the formula.

What's it about:
An orphan girl becomes unwillingly part of a sovjet military program and gains special powers. She can flee, but has to return to Russia to take out her former captors. 

Plot:

After losing her parents to a fire, Natasha is cared for by Ivan. He is an soldier at at the Red Room, a secret military project of the Sovjet Union, run by Sergei. On page 14 she is forced to undergo a procedure called "Ligature Tensility Augmentation", making her faster and stronger than a normal person. When the Sovjet Union crumbles down and the program has to be ended, Sergei goes rogue and kills everyone, who is not on his side, including Ivan. Natasha can flee to New York, but still russian spies follow her every steo, trying to kill her. After 5 years of hiding in New York she finds out, that there is a $10,000,000 bounty on her head and she decides to return to Russia to take out Sergei. After a lot hof hassle, she arrives at the Red Room, finding out Ivan has survived only to be killed 7 pages later. Inside the facility she discovers a group if young girls all trained to be 'Little Widows', Natasha frees them and together they destroy the whole complex. Safely back in New York the CIA ask Natasha to work for them. 

The Project:

In 2004 Hayter wrote 'Black Widow', but Marvel shelved it after many action-movies with female leads started and bombed ('Tomb Raider 2', 'Aeon Flux', 'Ultraviolet').

Recently talks started to revive the project, apparently due to Scarlett Johannson's appearance as Black Widow in 'Iron Man 2' and the upcoming 'The Avengers'.

Stealing from other superheroes?

While reading the script I was surprised by the amount of things adapted from other, better known Superheroes:
-Natasha is an orphan: I know it is a staple of the comic book hero. But could we at least try something new?
- The secret military project: Just like ProjectX turning Logan into Wolverine, an evil military project transforms an unwilling Natasha into the Black Widow.
- Belt with exploding disk: The Black Widow suit sports a belt equipped with exploding golden disks, which feels totally out of this world. Batman had a similar belt with such gimmicks (before 'Batman Begins')
- Shooting filaments from her wrists: Another feature of her suit is the capability to shoot filament from her writst, yeah, exactly like Spiderman. Just like the spider she uses it to swing down buildings or fighting enemies.

- This is more than a simple homage anymore, this lazy and blatant uncreative script writing!
 

Blake Snyder's Save the Cat! - Movie Category: Superhero
(1) a power the hero is imbued with - Check!
(2) a "Nemesis", an equally powerful bad guy - hm, Sergei is not as strong her, making the match-up not as tense.
(3) a "curse" or Achilles heel -she lost her parents and her is now is hunted by ruthless killers, unable to live a normal live.
(4) The mascot or sidekick - Nada! Nothing! So the script uses Voice Over the whole movie to relay Natashas feelings and give explanation to the viewer. Not so elegant.

As always: the comment section below works without registration, just choose "Comment as Anonymous" - I am looking forward to your discussion.
And if you like my blog be sure to become my follower - Thanks!

- Tristan