Hitchhiker's Modest Take Worrysome?

POSTED BY: Barclay
UPDATED: Sunday, May 15, 2005 16:59
VIEWED: 5964
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JOESWEDEN

Sunday, May 8, 2005 10:06 PM

Another fact to take into a account is that the science fiction film everbody is waiting for at the moment is Episode III. How's the competition looking in sept (US) Oct (U.K) and Nov(europe)?

WHOISRIVER

Sunday, May 8, 2005 10:24 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by JoeSweden:
Another fact to take into a account is that the science fiction film everbody is waiting for at the moment is Episode III. How's the competition looking in sept (US) Oct (U.K) and Nov(europe)?

It's stayed pretty clear. I think there's a Tim Burton film, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Johnny Depp) which are big name films surrounding.

April would have proved risky (at the time they were making the call) -- September is likely a better shot for the film.

Serg, there's nothing to say Serenity will last two weeks. If it tanks the first few days, it'll disappear completely.

I'm not hopeless, though. For a start, if the public has any intelligence (that's debatable, to be honest -- Adam Sandler has a movie career after all) they'll like the film. It's a story in it's own world with a bang.

Ironically a lot of the 'fall out' from the US test screening won't happen with non-browncoats. They don't know the characters and back story.

I truly hope Serenity is successful, because otherwise, there's no money, and we're not flyin'. Simple as that. Having said that, having seen the movie I can say regardless I'd still be glad I took the journey this far -- it's been one hell of a fan ride.

KAYLEE4SIMON

Sunday, May 8, 2005 11:22 PM

I think another problem with HHG was that the characters were slightly annoying. I also think they didn't do a good job explaining the characters well enough. If you bring in real people, not some guy with two heads that eats puffs, then the audience will get attached.

Keep shiny!

SERGEANTX

Monday, May 9, 2005 12:00 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by WhoIsRiver:
Serg, there's nothing to say Serenity will last two weeks. If it tanks the first few days, it'll disappear completely.

Is it really that bad? Not saying it isn't, I really don't follow entertainment news but it seems like they'd keep it out there for a litte while. Wouldn't they take into account a movie's potential? I mean, I can see borderline B movies being dropped after a bad premiere, but a big budget feature from Universal?

Anyway, I'll take your word for it. But that's a hell of a system.

SergeantX

"Dream a little dream or you can live a little dream. I'd rather live it, cause dreamers always chase but never get it." Aesop Rock

WHOISRIVER

Monday, May 9, 2005 12:21 AM

Well, I can only speak from experience in the UK.. "Cursed" appeared here about a week ago I think it was, and it's disappeared now. I went to see it - empty cinema. Terrible reviews.

I'm not saying this will happen to Serenity, of course (aside from anything else you're going to get all the browncoats the opening day one suspects).

It's worth noting that a lot of people won't realise this is a big budget Universal production. They'll see a film called Serenity with a cast of unknown that's Sci-fi... There's a lot of things against the movie, perception wise from Joe Public's point of view. Sci-fi space romp? The last thing some may have seen is "Wing Commander". You get the picture.

The trick is to turn this perception around and make people realise 'Actually, this is a pretty smart, well made movie'.

RISKEVERYTHING

Monday, May 9, 2005 12:51 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by WhoIsRiver:
The trick is to turn this perception around and make people realise 'Actually, this is a pretty smart, well made movie'.

Which is exactly what HHG is NOT. I was in the middle of reading the book for the first time (actually, "The Hitchhikers Ultimate Guide") when I saw the movie, so I knew slightly what to expect. The movie still sucked. It sucked so bad I put the book down for a week and almost didn't pick it back up. The only thing I liked about the movie was the love story in it- which is NOT in the book. Why did I like the love story? Because it was the only part of the movie that had an actual plot to it. Everything else was just wierd, and not in a good way.

I went on opening day, and the theater was pretty full. When the movie was over, everyone just sat there like "what the hell did I just waste my money on?" The word "stupid" floated on the air all the way out into the parking lot. Good marketing- stupid movie. The Serenity trailer was good- the best part of that evening in fact -and if Universal does a decent job of advertising it the movie will be a success. An excellent way to advertise this movie would be to show the TV episodes on SCI-FI for a few weeks before the movie opens in theaters.

Hell, I'd pay to see the Firefly pilot (both parts, naturally) in a theater. I'd pay and even buy popcorn.

SERGEANTX

Monday, May 9, 2005 1:08 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by RiskEverything:
An excellent way to advertise this movie would be to show the TV episodes on SCI-FI for a few weeks before the movie opens in theaters.

NO kidding. Re-airing the series would put more butts in the theater than anything I can think of. But I'm betting Fox is hanging on to that option with a clenched fist.

I dunno though, maybe as hype for the movie builds, they'll see it as a way to recoup some of their investment. Not that they deserve to recoup a damn thing, but it would be a great run-up to the movie.

SergeantX

"Dream a little dream or you can live a little dream. I'd rather live it, cause dreamers always chase but never get it." Aesop Rock

BAYBREEZE1

Monday, May 9, 2005 1:45 AM

Well, just got back from seeing Hitchhikers with my daughter. Personally, we loved it! Read the books (some) before and laughed ourselves silly during the movie. However, yes, it was a very small audience on the second weekend. I've got to say though, that Serenity and Hitchhikers are VERY different movies. I agree with the comment earlier that Hitchhikers is Pythonesq. And not a lot of people appreciate that humor. Serenity on the other hand should appeal to a wider variety. But it is the first and second weekend box office sales that will make or break it. So my daughter and I have planned to go see it the moment it comes out(something I have never done) and see it again that same weekend. The next weekend we have friends who have promised to go with us. All we can do, as fans, is see it often, drag others along, and, when at a movie that shows the trailer, clap and cheer, and go nuts and get everyone in the theater wondering and curious. That's what we'll be doing!

And no, unfortunately, the theater we saw Hitchhikers at did not show the Serenity trailer. Rats!

JADEHAND

Monday, May 9, 2005 1:49 AM

Quote:
.It's worth noting that a lot of people won't realise this is a big budget Universal production. They'll see a film called Serenity with a cast of unknown that's Sci-fi... There's a lot of things against the movie, perception wise from Joe Public's point of view. Sci-fi space romp? The last thing some may have seen is "Wing Commander". You get the picture.

..

I wouldn't worry too much about this, NOBODY saw Wing Commader.

In all seriousness, Fan reviews of The Guide have been horrible, thus the movie isn't doing well. More than 95% of the reviews I've seen from Firefly fans have said Serenity was fantastic and they plan to go back several times when it's released. That's a very different reaction. There has been a very small number of people who were upset by something, But I think they'll get over it. If not, the rest of us will make up for it.

Visit WWW.Marillion.Com for a better way to live

SHINYMOM

Monday, May 9, 2005 2:53 AM

I just saw Hitchhiker's Guide for the fifth time since it came out. I liked it from the first and more each time. I think the hardcore fans must not know their author as well as they think because, according to the guy at WonderCon, this was Douglas Adams' movie right off of his computer for the most part. He was always re-inventing his own work, and this is how he wanted it. So I think it's too bad that people are griping about how it wasn't like the book, and failing to realize that it was the movie Douglas Adams envisioned. Besides, the book is always better than the movie, no matter what book it is.

For a pretty balanced article go to: http://www.zompist.com/rants05.html

"Look at the pretties!"

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