Tom Selleck /Phil Blackwood comes across as a pompous, unlikable person for much of the film. That's the main criticism. And secondly, it also begins as more of a drama, with some comedic elements, and evolves into an almost screwball comedy as it progresses. By the end I didn't know what I was watching.
It's watchable because it's an anthology film, with many skits, but most are really poor. I think that I saw a couple walk out after the first skit. Did these acclaimed actors like Kate Winslet read the script before taking this on? 0.5-1
The Catch
1.5/5
Homeschooled
1/5
The Proposition
0.5/5
Veronica
0.5/5
iBabe
1.5/5
Superhero Speed Dating
1/5
Machine Kids
2/5
Middleschool Date
0.5/5
Tampax
0.5/5
Happy Birthday
1/5
Truth or Dare
1.5/5
Victory’s Glory
3/5
It's pretty much as much of a remake as you are going to get by way of plot. The main difference is Depp's take on Wonka. He was never going to top Gene's portrayal, so maybe doing something completely different wasn't a bad idea, but it comes off as strange. The songs and Oompa-Loompas are also underwhelming, and we don't see the "You Get Nothing" ending. It's not, but it feels shorter than the original, and like it's missing something as well.
There are some authenticity issues with this, such as the coach marching with the team at the opening ceremony. I don't think that occurs. Not a bad running/Olympic film though following 4 athletes:
-The Brit is seen as he is running whilst delivering milk by a runner at which he is then invited to run for a club.
-The Australian sub plot is about some blokes in the outback who see an indigenous person running, realise his fast and race him with the intention to make money.
-The Czech/USSR runner is retired but is then pressured to come out of retirement for political superiority as his world record gets broken by Michael Crawford's character.
-The American is just a cocky runner played by Ryan O'Neal who doesn't at all have the build to be a marathon runner.
A bit predictable given that you know Matt Damon is a star so is obviously the Private Ryan that they are looking for. So for example, the result from the scene where they tell the other Private Ryan that his brothers had died is foreseen. While they are extremely well done, long war scenes like the couple in this and similar war films also aren't my greatest moments on film.
