SHANNON URTNOWSKI
A&E Editor
Let me take you back to a time in my life when pigtails and bicycle shorts were all the rage. When I was a little girl, my parents used to tell me that nothing in life is coincidental. Personally, I think the saying is a bit cliché. I guess that’s just the skeptic in me.
Now, let’s fast-forward to a couple weeks ago. I was talking to a friend not-so-like myself about the fact that so many trilogies were released in theaters this summer. And, there weren’t just a couple — there were six.
In our discussion, we noticed that this is my third year at Pepperdine, and there were more trilogies — third sequels — in theaters this summer than we could ever remember. I don’t think the number three is symbolic for anything, but it did seem — and, yes, I’ll say it — a bit coincidental.
You know what is not so coincidental about this whole trilogy craze, though? Well, it’s just that — the trilogy craze. I don’t think it is any secret in Hollywood that if a movie does well the first time around, it’s a safe bet the sequels are going to do well.
The trilogies hit hard in May, kicking off summer at the box offices. First, “Spider-Man 3” leaped into theaters May 4. Next, “Shrek the Third” opened May 18. And, on May 25, the nation said “Arggg” to “Pirate’s of the Caribbean: At World’s End.” When June rolled around, the trilogy-craze slowed a bit. The only release was “Ocean’s Thirteen” on June 8.
These four movies were released early in the summer, and I thought that was the last we would see of them. Oh, was I wrong.
A couple months later, the trilogies were at it again. “Bourne Ultimatum” hit theaters August 3. And, rounding out the summer, Aug. 10 welcomed “Rush Hour 3.”
“Spider-Man 3” is the third installment of the classic comic-turned-movie. Its 140 minutes were jam-packed with three villains and two love interests. Though it was thrilling, need I say that Spider-Man’s infamous web was not the only sticky thing in this film? With all the complex relationships both growing and crumbling, the characters got a bit lost.
The grumpy, green ogre was back in “Shrek the Third.” I would like to say he was funnier than ever, but he wasn’t. Though the movie had some laughable scenes, like when a magical spell forces Donkey and Puss ‘n Boots to trade bodies, “Shrek the Third” is the least entertaining of the bunch.
“Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End” welcomes the return of Captain Jack Sparrow, Will Turner and the whole gang. With Sparrow’s life in danger and the fate of piracy teetering on the edges, they must band together to fight for survival. The move is funny, romantic and captivating.
“Ocean’s Thirteen” was not one of the hotter releases of the summer, but it did keep the trilogy craze going strong. In the movie, the conmen have returned, with a new addition to the team — this time taking revenge. And, the big names are back, like Brad Pitt and George Clooney, so it gets bonus points there.
“Bourne Ultimatum” was non-stop, heart-pumping action. After the death of his girlfriend in “Bourne Supremacy,” Jason Bourne once again tries to regain his memory. He retraces his steps and tries to make his way home. You will be hanging off the edges of your seats for all of its 114 minutes.
And, finishing us off, “Rush Hour 3” brings back police pair Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan. The two team up, and this time they are taking on Paris. The previous Rush Hour came out 6 years ago, so it did seem a little bit unfitting to bring it back. Nevertheless, it did well in box offices.
Whether or not there is any coincidence to the tale, after a hot summer at the box office — and an insider’s scoop — you can decide for yourself what added to heat and what just fanned the flame.
08-27-2007
