Attention Deficit Delirium

Prince Colwyn shows off
the power of the Glaive.

One of my favorite Eighties fantasy movies — okay, really one of my favorite ever — is the sword ‘n’ sorcery spectacle that is Krull. Released in the summer of 1983, amid the frenzied activity of both the post-Conan fantasy boom and the Stars Wars-inspired sci-fi wave, this was an over-the-top cinematic epic that combined Errol Flynn-like swashbuckling with (then) modern sci-fi/fantasy action, storytelling and effects. It was also rather tongue-in-cheek, featured future stars Liam Neeson and Robbie Coltrane, had some fantastic, surrealist set design in the Black Fortress and offered up a stirring score by James Horner. And let’s not forget the Glaive, that flying, five-pointed, bladed weapon with intense laser power that was a driving gimmick in the story.

La-La Land Records recently reissued the Krull soundtrack in a limited edition, two-disc version, and it is essential for any fan of the film. Despite some people today deriding this movie as cheesy, it is a hell of a lot of fun, and part of that is due to Horner’s rousing compositions. At the time the composer was still a relative newcomer to the Hollywood scene, although he had already written and conducted the scores for Wolfen, The Hand, 48 Hrs. and Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Khan. We now know him as the man responsible for the music in Titanic, Avatar, Aliens and Field Of Dreams, among many others.

Following is a montage of Krull clips set to some of the score. (Admittedly it uses key scenes, so proceed with caution. You could also simply listen.) Experience the power of the Glaive and the majesty of a young James Horner!






The Avengers assembled for the first time in 1963. Their big screen debut arrives in 2012.

As a lifelong comic book fan, I am ecstatic that special effects and production values have reached the level where superheroes like the X-Men, Iron Man and Thor can be brought to the big screen in larger-than-life form, rather than the limited and often cheesy incarnations of the past. But have you ever wondered what would have happened if such iconic figures had been brought to life on the big screen fifty or more years ago?

The following fan-created Avengers ’52 trailer is by Ivan Guerrero, who does a lot of “pre-makes” like this. He cleverly culls material from movies like Thunderball, The Amazing Colossal Man (transformed into Giant Man here) and Captain America serials from the ’40s, along with television series such as The Avengers (British secret agent Emma Peel is now the Black Widow) to envision the Marvel superhero team hitting movies in 1952, eleven years before the first issue hit the stands. Consider it an alternate universe trailer. I love the inclusion of Yul Brynner as X-Men leader Professor Xavier. See what other Marvel character cameos you can spot.

For a clip-by-clip breakdown of Marvel references in the Avengers ’52 trailer, click here.





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Chris Hemworth as Thor.

A six-minute Thor trailer from Comic-Con 2010 was recently leaked online (and has been taken down), and it showed quite a bit of what Marvel Studios’ Thor will look like. I was worried that this comic book was not going to translate well to the big screen — many classic titles have the potential for cheesiness if handled improperly — but so far this one looks pretty kickass. Casting an unknown (Chris Hemsworth) in the titular role and Anthony Hopkins as his father Odin were smart moves. Bringing in Kenneth Branagh in as the director is a brilliant touch. The effects and sets look great (check out the photos below). And it is interesting to note that the original origin storyline established in Journey Into Mystery — involving sickly Dr. Donald Blake, who discovers a walking stick in Norway that transforms him into Thor when tapped on the ground, and thus becomes the Norse god’s fragile mortal ego who invokes him in times of need — is evidently not being used. His newer, less cumbersome mortal guise as construction worker Sigurd Jarlson seems to be the Earthly identity of choice.

Here is what Marvel revealed on their website last year, which jives with the trailer: “This epic adventure spans the Marvel Universe; from present day Earth to the realm of Asgard. At the center of the story is The Mighty Thor, a powerful but arrogant warrior whose reckless actions reignite an ancient war. Thor is cast down to Earth and forced to live among humans as punishment. Once here, Thor learns what it takes to be a true hero when the most dangerous villain of his world sends the darkest forces of Asgard to invade Earth.” Naturally Thor’s half-brother Loki (played by Tom Hiddleston) looks to be the source of godly mayhem. An interesting change: Originally the nurse to Blake’s doctor, Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) is now a smart, young scientist who will also become Thor’s love interest.

Thor will be released in the U.S. on May 20, 2011 and distributed by Paramount Pictures.

L to R: Thor (Hemsworth), Odin (Anthony Hopkins)
and the villainous Loki (Tom Hiddleston).

L to R: Thor's evil half-brother Loki, Thor's mother Frigga,
and two-thirds of the Warriors Three, Hogun the Grim and Fandral the Dashing,
in the regal Hall Of Asgard.

Thor and Odin go tête-à-tête.



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Concept art for Godzilla 2012
released by Legendary Pictures at Comic-Con 2010.

I have been a lifelong Godzilla fan. While I do not obsessively watch movies with the Big G over and over again, I have seen some of the 28 films a few times and collected toys, comics and magazines inspired by this immortal kaiju. The franchise never dies. Even when they “killed” Godzilla at the end of 1995′s Godzilla Vs. Destroyah, his son survived, roaring defiantly as he was going to continue his father’s monster-fighting, city-stomping legacy. And while 2004′s Godzilla: Final Wars, which featured all of the monsters from the then 50-year old franchise, was intended to be an epic farewell, it seems that our favorite overgrown lizard will be coming back in 2012 in a rumored 3-D film from Legendary Pictures, who cut a deal with Toho Studios to make this version.

To be honest, I’m mixed about this whole thing. The first (and last) time an American company made their own version of this classic creature, it was Roland Emmerich’s disastrous 1998 movie in which the Big G did not look or sound like himself and spawned a load of eggs that hatched in Madison Square Garden so the filmmakers could attempt to outdo Jurassic Park, which they failed miserably at. And with this installment possibly being filmed in 3-D, I wonder if it will simply be a quick cash-in and nothing more.

My thoughts for a new Godzilla film: Bring in a new monster, not regurgitate repeatedly successful reboots like Mechagodzilla or King Ghidorah. Perhaps take the action away from Tokyo. It was great to see the Big G in Sydney (however briefly) in Final Wars. Don’t make it too kid-friendly. I hate that. Temper it with the fun, self-referential sense of humor found in Godzilla 2000 and Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack. And don’t make it all CGI. The impressive mixture of rubber suit mayhem and digital effects in the last wave of Godzilla films — not to mention the incredible FX work in Gamera 3 in 1999 — prove that you can have an organic monster that looks vibrant and alive. (Let’s be honest, the rubber suits do hold sentimental value for longtime fans.) The 3-D format does have great possibilities for monster mayhem, and on top of the obligatory crumbling buildings, tail swatting and giant creature smackdowns, I expect one shot of Godzilla spraying the audience with his nuclear breath.

Perhaps I’m a purist, but you’ve got to do these things right. At the same time, throw in some surprises. Just don’t make it a lame story with bad dialogue and baby dinos running around. Please.





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