*****
Dir. Sam Mendes
The James Bond franchise has had its fair share of ups and downs over the years, but Sam Mendes' Skyfall is certainly among the best, worthy of comparison to the Sean Connery classics. After the failure of Quantum of Solace, this 23rd installment in the series is a fresh and compelling take on the character for a new generation of fans.
After faking his own death and taking some time off, 007 (Daniel Craig) is called back into action when a band of cyber-terrorists threaten the stability of the MI6 agency. M (Judi Dench) is particularly plagued by these events, as she knows these madmen must be dealt with prior to her retirement. Soon to take her place is Agent Gareth Mallory (Ralph Fiennes), a worthy successor to the legendary director.
The villain is Silva (Javier Bardem), a mastermind crime lord and ex-MI6 agent, bent on destroying the organization and killing M. His motivations are not random, but personal as he seeks vengeance on M for having nearly been responsible for his death years earlier. With the help of his partner Eve (Naomi Harris) and tech assistant Q (Ben Wishaw), Bond must stop at nothing to bring this terrorist to justice.
Rather than follow the standard formula for a Bond film, Mendes (Jarhead, Road to Perdition) rejects these conventional elements so as to produce a genuinely intriguing thriller, giving these iconic characters much more depth than their predecessors have allowed. The script was left in the hands of some of the best writers in the business: John Logan (The Aviator, Hugo), Neal Purvis (Casino Royale), and Robert Wade (Die Another Day). With the story containing a great amount of emotional appeal, the dialogue really delved into the internal conflicts of these characters. While there were plenty of explosive action sequences and firefights, this was nonetheless one of the more plot-driven Bond movies.
After his legendary performance in No Country for Old Men, Javier Bardem was perfect for the role of the antagonist here as well. That innate ability he has to strike fear into viewers was well utilized, making the scenes between Silva and Bond all the more intense. His sheer presence is something rarely seen in action movies today. Furthermore, it's no question that Craig is one of the best 007 actors. This being his third time playing the iconic spy, it certainly won't be his last. And because the script was so good, it finally gave him and Dench the opportunity to show younger audiences how great they can act. While Ben Wishaw was slightly annoying, the cast was nevertheless very impressive.
Beyond the story and superb acting, the action scenes also demonstrated a nice deal of originality. Having been influenced by classics such as Apocalypse Now, Mendes uses tactics from previous filmmakers to engage his viewers. This is a fast-paced and gritty installment in the series which will keep you on the edge of your seat up until the very end.
I was never a big Bond fan in the first place, especially because the first ones I saw were the unwatchable Pierce Brosnan disasters. Yet whether you are a hard-core fan or have never seen any of them, go see this movie. Just as Christopher Nolan reinvented Batman, Sam Mendes has done the same with 007.
Saturday, November 24, 2012
Friday, November 23, 2012
Lincoln
*****
Dir. Steven Spielberg
Steven Spielberg's latest film is both an excellent portrayal of Abraham Lincoln as a genuinely down-to-Earth historical figure, as well as a remarkable political drama. Based on Doris Kearns Goodwin's novel Team of Rivals, with the screenplay by Tony Kushner, this picture is yet another edition to Spielberg's long list of masterpieces.
Daniel Day-Lewis stars as Lincoln, with the film focusing on his last days as President and the extensive debate regarding the 13th Amendment. With his primary supporters being Secretary of State William Seward (David Straithairn) and Representative Thaddeus Stevens (Tommy Lee Jones), these abolitionists will stop at nothing to get the bill passed. Tim Blake Nelson and John Hawkes play their chief negotiators, and Jared Harris also has a fair amount of screen time as Ulysses S. Grant. Then there's none other than Sally Field as Mary Todd Lincoln, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt as their son Robert to top off the blockbuster cast.
It's rare that a film like this delves into the politics of the story so extensively and effectively. Spielberg uses the atmosphere of bickering Representatives and Senators to parallel the anguish of the Civil War which rages on as they mindlessly argue. Over the span of two and a half hours, the setting is primarily contained within the White House and the courtroom. With Kushner's script demonstrating such rich dialogue, the manner in which it plays out provides the basis for the film's significance.
For once, Lincoln isn't made out to be some kind of chosen one figure destined to bring justice to a plagued society, but as a man of dignity and humility who was right for the job. Day-Lewis' portrayal of him is believable to say the least, as he willfully presents both the good attributes and flaws of the character. He masters both Lincoln's intentions and motivations, while also exemplifying his various mannerisms and somewhat subtle characteristics. He poises himself slightly hunchbacked, uses parables to get his ideas across, and has that soft voice which makes him so distinguishable. There's no doubt he'll be in the running for an Oscar.
Needless to say, the supporting roles were equally well casted. Jones and Straithairn embrace the distorted aspects of the time period to display the conflicted spirits of their characters. I also loved how Gordon-Levitt utilized the tensions between Robert and his father in his performance. The young actor is certainly making a name for himself, and this role was very well suited for him. Field's portrayal of Mary also really drove the story, using her part in all this to reflect the manifestation of women's role during this time.
While the pacing is rather slow, this film is nonetheless a stirring portrait of a man who many Americans think they know. If Spielberg's goal was to bring history to life like never before, he certainly accomplished that objective.
Dir. Steven Spielberg
Steven Spielberg's latest film is both an excellent portrayal of Abraham Lincoln as a genuinely down-to-Earth historical figure, as well as a remarkable political drama. Based on Doris Kearns Goodwin's novel Team of Rivals, with the screenplay by Tony Kushner, this picture is yet another edition to Spielberg's long list of masterpieces.
Daniel Day-Lewis stars as Lincoln, with the film focusing on his last days as President and the extensive debate regarding the 13th Amendment. With his primary supporters being Secretary of State William Seward (David Straithairn) and Representative Thaddeus Stevens (Tommy Lee Jones), these abolitionists will stop at nothing to get the bill passed. Tim Blake Nelson and John Hawkes play their chief negotiators, and Jared Harris also has a fair amount of screen time as Ulysses S. Grant. Then there's none other than Sally Field as Mary Todd Lincoln, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt as their son Robert to top off the blockbuster cast.
It's rare that a film like this delves into the politics of the story so extensively and effectively. Spielberg uses the atmosphere of bickering Representatives and Senators to parallel the anguish of the Civil War which rages on as they mindlessly argue. Over the span of two and a half hours, the setting is primarily contained within the White House and the courtroom. With Kushner's script demonstrating such rich dialogue, the manner in which it plays out provides the basis for the film's significance.
For once, Lincoln isn't made out to be some kind of chosen one figure destined to bring justice to a plagued society, but as a man of dignity and humility who was right for the job. Day-Lewis' portrayal of him is believable to say the least, as he willfully presents both the good attributes and flaws of the character. He masters both Lincoln's intentions and motivations, while also exemplifying his various mannerisms and somewhat subtle characteristics. He poises himself slightly hunchbacked, uses parables to get his ideas across, and has that soft voice which makes him so distinguishable. There's no doubt he'll be in the running for an Oscar.
Needless to say, the supporting roles were equally well casted. Jones and Straithairn embrace the distorted aspects of the time period to display the conflicted spirits of their characters. I also loved how Gordon-Levitt utilized the tensions between Robert and his father in his performance. The young actor is certainly making a name for himself, and this role was very well suited for him. Field's portrayal of Mary also really drove the story, using her part in all this to reflect the manifestation of women's role during this time.
While the pacing is rather slow, this film is nonetheless a stirring portrait of a man who many Americans think they know. If Spielberg's goal was to bring history to life like never before, he certainly accomplished that objective.
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Cloud Atlas
****
Dir. Andy Wachowski, Lana Wachowski, Tom Tykwerand
To even remotely describe this film, I'm gonna steal from Roger Ebert the Winston Churchill quote which he used in his review: "it is a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma". Cloud Atlas is a remarkably ambitious picture, which delves into an assortment of philosophical concepts by merging a multitude of stories and characters together. Written for the screen and directed by Andy Wachowski, Lana Wachowski, and Tom Tykwerand, and based on the novel by David Mitchell, this is a movie which will be discussed for a long time.
As for the plot, I can tell you that it intertwines 6 stories together; each which take place in different time periods, ranging from the mid 19th Century to the aftermath of the apocalypse. I can tell you that Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Hugo Weaving, Jim Broadbent, and several others portray multiple characters. Combining speculative science-fiction with European romanticism, this complex and deeply provocative script rejects the standard formula for narrative storytelling; taking audiences inside the lives of a wide range of characters to present its overarching message. The central theme is that everything is connected, incorporating mythological and historical components to express this idea.
What makes this film so daring is the manner in which it is presented. Based on my interpretation, its targeted audience is much more selective than most movies. Rather than strive to entertain, it seeks to invoke the deepest layers of the viewer's consciousness and instill in him or her an inquisitive mentality. The pure intrigue and imagination which it possesses is impossible to deny.
Although the Wachowskis and Tykwerand were each in charge of three of the six stories, the artistic vision which they shared makes the experience of watching it less episodic and more centralized. While it is somewhat easy to distinguish the two different styles, the manner in which they merge into this epic makes it all the more fascinating.
The acting reflects the bold and ambitious attributes of this film. Hanks and the other leads play such a wide range of characters that it's almost impossible to tell who's who. In one scene Hanks is a survivor of the apocalypse residing in the wilderness, and in another he's a Scottish writer/cult hero who achieves fame through murdering one of his critics. There are also several interlocking love stories which the cast executes brilliantly. Between their performances and the incredible work of the make-up artists, the portrayal of these various characters is truly mesmerizing.
There are very few other films which I can relate this one to. While watching it, I was reminded at certain points of the Japanese anime classic Akira (1988, Katsuhiro Otomo); but even then, this contains so many more elements which make it all the more complex and daring. Cloud Atlas is quite a riveting experience, marking itself as a moment in the history of cinema which will leave a legacy for generations to come.
Dir. Andy Wachowski, Lana Wachowski, Tom Tykwerand
To even remotely describe this film, I'm gonna steal from Roger Ebert the Winston Churchill quote which he used in his review: "it is a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma". Cloud Atlas is a remarkably ambitious picture, which delves into an assortment of philosophical concepts by merging a multitude of stories and characters together. Written for the screen and directed by Andy Wachowski, Lana Wachowski, and Tom Tykwerand, and based on the novel by David Mitchell, this is a movie which will be discussed for a long time.
As for the plot, I can tell you that it intertwines 6 stories together; each which take place in different time periods, ranging from the mid 19th Century to the aftermath of the apocalypse. I can tell you that Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Hugo Weaving, Jim Broadbent, and several others portray multiple characters. Combining speculative science-fiction with European romanticism, this complex and deeply provocative script rejects the standard formula for narrative storytelling; taking audiences inside the lives of a wide range of characters to present its overarching message. The central theme is that everything is connected, incorporating mythological and historical components to express this idea.
What makes this film so daring is the manner in which it is presented. Based on my interpretation, its targeted audience is much more selective than most movies. Rather than strive to entertain, it seeks to invoke the deepest layers of the viewer's consciousness and instill in him or her an inquisitive mentality. The pure intrigue and imagination which it possesses is impossible to deny.
Although the Wachowskis and Tykwerand were each in charge of three of the six stories, the artistic vision which they shared makes the experience of watching it less episodic and more centralized. While it is somewhat easy to distinguish the two different styles, the manner in which they merge into this epic makes it all the more fascinating.
The acting reflects the bold and ambitious attributes of this film. Hanks and the other leads play such a wide range of characters that it's almost impossible to tell who's who. In one scene Hanks is a survivor of the apocalypse residing in the wilderness, and in another he's a Scottish writer/cult hero who achieves fame through murdering one of his critics. There are also several interlocking love stories which the cast executes brilliantly. Between their performances and the incredible work of the make-up artists, the portrayal of these various characters is truly mesmerizing.
There are very few other films which I can relate this one to. While watching it, I was reminded at certain points of the Japanese anime classic Akira (1988, Katsuhiro Otomo); but even then, this contains so many more elements which make it all the more complex and daring. Cloud Atlas is quite a riveting experience, marking itself as a moment in the history of cinema which will leave a legacy for generations to come.
Saturday, November 10, 2012
Flight
*****
Dir. Robert Zemeckis
This has been a monumental year for movies. We've seen and are about to see works from Ridley Scott, Steven Spielberg, Christopher Nolan, Peter Jackson, Tim Burton, Wes Anderson, Tom Hooper, Robert Zemeckis, and many more legendary filmmakers. Flight is by far Zemeckis' most ambitious film, and one of his best. I can't think of a drama over the last decade which has managed to reach this level of character development, rather than rely on a wide range of conventional elements to drive the story.
Denzel Washington plays Whip Whitaker, an alcoholic pilot whose life takes a dramatic turn when his plane crashes. When he wakes up in a hospital a few hours later, he finds out that 96 of the 102 people on board survived, and he is for some time hailed as a hero. Having some time to reflect upon his distorted lifestyle, he decides to try and quit drinking, emptying every bottle of beer and vodka in his house. Yet while this presents an optimistic change for some time, his rehabilitation is short-lived when his Union Director (Bruce Greenwood) and lawyer (Don Cheadle) inform him that a toxicology report indicates that he was severely drunk when the flight took off. Knowing that he could face up to five or more years in prison if he is found guilty, Whitaker is plagued by the stress of the investigation, with alcohol being his only means of escape.
Beyond the superb acting displayed in this film, the script is what makes it worthy of at least one Oscar. There's a subplot involving a romance between Whitaker and an equally addicted woman named Nicole (Kelly Reilly); and the way the writing merges their stories together is remarkably compelling. Both characters strive to put their pasts behind them, inwardly searching for meaning and satisfaction. As Whitaker's relationship with his ex-wife and son, his career, and his view of himself are all broken by his addiction, this one woman plays a pivotal role in finding his true identity.
As if Washington has ever not demonstrated excellent acting, this is quite possibly his best performance. He embodies this character in a manner which is rarely seen in Hollywood. Rather than do his best to bring the script to life, he simply allows Whitaker to tell his story. Greenwood and Cheadle also provide excellent support in their roles. I really liked seeing Washington and Cheadle work together again, after having been in the 90s classic Devil in a Blue Dress. Then there's John Goodman as Whitaker's drug-dealing friend, with his personality providing virtually the only comedic relief in the film.
What makes Zemeckis one of the best filmmakers of all time is his strive to explore new areas of the medium. While known for his classics like Back to the Future and Forrest Gump, he's also produced some very intriguing animated films in recent years such as The Polar Express and Beowulf. This picture is yet another highlight of his career, because it invokes such a deep and provocative response among viewers. As Zemeckis directs with such an artistic vision, audiences are immersed in the lives of these characters. Furthermore, Alan Silvestri's music is as fantastic as his previous works.
A movie which examines subject matter like this in extensive detail is bold to say the least. Flight is an intense and riveting experience. With a tremendous cast, script, and director, this is hands down one of the year's best films.
Dir. Robert Zemeckis
This has been a monumental year for movies. We've seen and are about to see works from Ridley Scott, Steven Spielberg, Christopher Nolan, Peter Jackson, Tim Burton, Wes Anderson, Tom Hooper, Robert Zemeckis, and many more legendary filmmakers. Flight is by far Zemeckis' most ambitious film, and one of his best. I can't think of a drama over the last decade which has managed to reach this level of character development, rather than rely on a wide range of conventional elements to drive the story.
Denzel Washington plays Whip Whitaker, an alcoholic pilot whose life takes a dramatic turn when his plane crashes. When he wakes up in a hospital a few hours later, he finds out that 96 of the 102 people on board survived, and he is for some time hailed as a hero. Having some time to reflect upon his distorted lifestyle, he decides to try and quit drinking, emptying every bottle of beer and vodka in his house. Yet while this presents an optimistic change for some time, his rehabilitation is short-lived when his Union Director (Bruce Greenwood) and lawyer (Don Cheadle) inform him that a toxicology report indicates that he was severely drunk when the flight took off. Knowing that he could face up to five or more years in prison if he is found guilty, Whitaker is plagued by the stress of the investigation, with alcohol being his only means of escape.
Beyond the superb acting displayed in this film, the script is what makes it worthy of at least one Oscar. There's a subplot involving a romance between Whitaker and an equally addicted woman named Nicole (Kelly Reilly); and the way the writing merges their stories together is remarkably compelling. Both characters strive to put their pasts behind them, inwardly searching for meaning and satisfaction. As Whitaker's relationship with his ex-wife and son, his career, and his view of himself are all broken by his addiction, this one woman plays a pivotal role in finding his true identity.
As if Washington has ever not demonstrated excellent acting, this is quite possibly his best performance. He embodies this character in a manner which is rarely seen in Hollywood. Rather than do his best to bring the script to life, he simply allows Whitaker to tell his story. Greenwood and Cheadle also provide excellent support in their roles. I really liked seeing Washington and Cheadle work together again, after having been in the 90s classic Devil in a Blue Dress. Then there's John Goodman as Whitaker's drug-dealing friend, with his personality providing virtually the only comedic relief in the film.
What makes Zemeckis one of the best filmmakers of all time is his strive to explore new areas of the medium. While known for his classics like Back to the Future and Forrest Gump, he's also produced some very intriguing animated films in recent years such as The Polar Express and Beowulf. This picture is yet another highlight of his career, because it invokes such a deep and provocative response among viewers. As Zemeckis directs with such an artistic vision, audiences are immersed in the lives of these characters. Furthermore, Alan Silvestri's music is as fantastic as his previous works.
A movie which examines subject matter like this in extensive detail is bold to say the least. Flight is an intense and riveting experience. With a tremendous cast, script, and director, this is hands down one of the year's best films.
Friday, November 2, 2012
Disney alligns with Lucasfilm? May the Force be with us all.
Unless you live under a rock, you are aware that Disney just bought Lucasfilm, and that more Star Wars movies will definitely be put into production. With legendary creator George Lucas stepping down, what exactly does this mean for the future of this monumental franchise?
First off, let me say that I really don't think Disney will have virtually any input regarding the actual film production. The company did the same thing when they bought Marvel. They didn't even have their logo in the Avengers credits, because they simply did it as a business move. It's the same thing here, they wanted more money because they don't have enough from the enormous theme park in Orlando, or from their hundreds of movies and thousands of products they market.
That being said, the most important factor in ensuring the success of future films is selecting quality filmmakers to take up Lucas' mantle. Here are my top directors to do the job, in no particular order.
1) Christopher Nolan
2) James Cameron
3) J.J. Abrams
4) Peter Jackson
5) Guillermo del Toro
6) Joss Whedon
7) Kevin Smith
8) Alex Proyas
9) Sam Raimi
10) Steven Spielberg
11) Jon Favreau
12) Bryan Singer
13) Wachowskis
Each of these filmmakers are veterans of the science-fiction/fantasy genre, and each have things to contribute towards the Star Wars universe.
In spite of Nolan's reputation for more gritty films, I wouldn't immediately disregard him from working with a more lighthearted story. Look at Scorsese. While the legendary director is primarily known for his gangster films such as Goodfellas and Gangs of New York, he also made Hugo, which is arguably his best work. Nolan is obviously a genius at constructing quality stories, and worlds of cinematic brilliance. To me, he would definitely be a worthy successor of Lucas.
After Avatar, Cameron has proved his ability to make a remarkable sci-fi epic. The master behind Aliens and Titanic has demonstrated his spirit of imagination and wonder throughout his career. He too is an ideal choice to take on Episodes 7,8, and 9.
The only reason for Abrams not to take on this project is because he already has Star Trek under his belt. He's the Spielberg of the 21st Century, and has every quality that would give him the ability to make the next set of movies within the saga.
Jackson and Del Toro go hand in hand, as they've each made the best fantasy films of all time. Imagine the awe and wonder of Lord of the Rings and Pan's Labyrinth in the Star Wars universe. My nerd senses go crazy just thinking about it.
I wouldn't put Whedon first, but I think he would have something substantial to offer. Avengers is what fans expected for the most part, and Firefly is one of the best shows ever. With a solid script, he could do an effective job.
As for Smith, I had to put him on here since he's such a hard-core fan. While his films are very adult, putting him pretty much on Tarantino's level, he's had so much experience with the comic book world that I'd be interested in seeing what he could come up with.
Proyas is also up in the running to direct a Batman reboot, and is therefore another solid choice here. Dark City demonstrates his innate artistic ability as a storyteller, and he could just as well deliver a wide range of other great sci-fi films.
Between Evil Dead, Spider-Man, and now his upcoming Oz: The Great and Powerful, Raimi has a lot of experience in this genre. He too is a fan favorite, and is definitely worthy of making this list.
After over thirty years of filmmaking, Spielberg continues to inspire a wide range of audiences with his pictures. With the work he and Lucas have done together, there's no reason not to put him on here.
Iron Man is worthy of comparison to Batman Begins in terms of effectively exploring the origins of a superhero. Favreau was no doubt inspired by Lucas in his youth when he saw A New Hope on the big screen. This Marvel veteran is ideal to continue Lucas' legacy.
Singer's made his fair share of mistakes, but X2 is hands down one of the best superhero films, as well as one of the greatest sequels ever made. Superman Returns, while not the best, also demonstrates his potential from a cinematic perspective nonetheless.
Like Nolan and Smith, the Wachowskis would also have to tone things down to be considered. Regardless, they're obviously experts at what they do, and I think they'd have some fun with Jedi.
As far as the story goes, I personally think it should be set in the era of the Old Republic. There's a lot of areas to explore in this time period, and whoever does it has plenty of material to work with between all the books and comics on this subject.
Time will only tell the future of Star Wars, but we can only hope the next series of films don't bomb. In the meantime, I agree with many of my fellow fans in that the original unaltered trilogy should be released on Blu-Ray. I'm sick of watching Greedo fire first and all the CGI garbage in the edited versions. Until we know the outcome of these events, may the Force be with us all.
First off, let me say that I really don't think Disney will have virtually any input regarding the actual film production. The company did the same thing when they bought Marvel. They didn't even have their logo in the Avengers credits, because they simply did it as a business move. It's the same thing here, they wanted more money because they don't have enough from the enormous theme park in Orlando, or from their hundreds of movies and thousands of products they market.
That being said, the most important factor in ensuring the success of future films is selecting quality filmmakers to take up Lucas' mantle. Here are my top directors to do the job, in no particular order.
1) Christopher Nolan
2) James Cameron
3) J.J. Abrams
4) Peter Jackson
5) Guillermo del Toro
6) Joss Whedon
7) Kevin Smith
8) Alex Proyas
9) Sam Raimi
10) Steven Spielberg
11) Jon Favreau
12) Bryan Singer
13) Wachowskis
Each of these filmmakers are veterans of the science-fiction/fantasy genre, and each have things to contribute towards the Star Wars universe.
In spite of Nolan's reputation for more gritty films, I wouldn't immediately disregard him from working with a more lighthearted story. Look at Scorsese. While the legendary director is primarily known for his gangster films such as Goodfellas and Gangs of New York, he also made Hugo, which is arguably his best work. Nolan is obviously a genius at constructing quality stories, and worlds of cinematic brilliance. To me, he would definitely be a worthy successor of Lucas.
After Avatar, Cameron has proved his ability to make a remarkable sci-fi epic. The master behind Aliens and Titanic has demonstrated his spirit of imagination and wonder throughout his career. He too is an ideal choice to take on Episodes 7,8, and 9.
The only reason for Abrams not to take on this project is because he already has Star Trek under his belt. He's the Spielberg of the 21st Century, and has every quality that would give him the ability to make the next set of movies within the saga.
Jackson and Del Toro go hand in hand, as they've each made the best fantasy films of all time. Imagine the awe and wonder of Lord of the Rings and Pan's Labyrinth in the Star Wars universe. My nerd senses go crazy just thinking about it.
I wouldn't put Whedon first, but I think he would have something substantial to offer. Avengers is what fans expected for the most part, and Firefly is one of the best shows ever. With a solid script, he could do an effective job.
As for Smith, I had to put him on here since he's such a hard-core fan. While his films are very adult, putting him pretty much on Tarantino's level, he's had so much experience with the comic book world that I'd be interested in seeing what he could come up with.
Proyas is also up in the running to direct a Batman reboot, and is therefore another solid choice here. Dark City demonstrates his innate artistic ability as a storyteller, and he could just as well deliver a wide range of other great sci-fi films.
Between Evil Dead, Spider-Man, and now his upcoming Oz: The Great and Powerful, Raimi has a lot of experience in this genre. He too is a fan favorite, and is definitely worthy of making this list.
After over thirty years of filmmaking, Spielberg continues to inspire a wide range of audiences with his pictures. With the work he and Lucas have done together, there's no reason not to put him on here.
Iron Man is worthy of comparison to Batman Begins in terms of effectively exploring the origins of a superhero. Favreau was no doubt inspired by Lucas in his youth when he saw A New Hope on the big screen. This Marvel veteran is ideal to continue Lucas' legacy.
Singer's made his fair share of mistakes, but X2 is hands down one of the best superhero films, as well as one of the greatest sequels ever made. Superman Returns, while not the best, also demonstrates his potential from a cinematic perspective nonetheless.
Like Nolan and Smith, the Wachowskis would also have to tone things down to be considered. Regardless, they're obviously experts at what they do, and I think they'd have some fun with Jedi.
As far as the story goes, I personally think it should be set in the era of the Old Republic. There's a lot of areas to explore in this time period, and whoever does it has plenty of material to work with between all the books and comics on this subject.
Time will only tell the future of Star Wars, but we can only hope the next series of films don't bomb. In the meantime, I agree with many of my fellow fans in that the original unaltered trilogy should be released on Blu-Ray. I'm sick of watching Greedo fire first and all the CGI garbage in the edited versions. Until we know the outcome of these events, may the Force be with us all.
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