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Marvel's Gamble: Guardians of the Galaxy

Posted on by Colin McMahon

“Who?”

Yes, the trailer for Marvel Studios’ upcoming blockbuster-hopeful, Guardians of the Galaxy (based off the comic series by the same name), highlights the film’s principle problem immediately. While past superhero movies have starred big names like Batman, Superman, and the X-Men; Guardians of the Galaxy gives us Star-Lord, Gamora, Drax the Destroyer, Groot, and Rocket. Who indeed. For the first time in its existence, the cinematic superhero genre is going obscure. There is no one out there, other than comic book fans, familiar with these characters. It’s a bold risk, although Marvel Studios is no stranger to ambitious projects (Thor, The Avengers, the Incredible Hulk).

For starters – the film needs a star. Someone the audience can identify and be like “I want to see a movie with that dude/dudette in it!” Guardians of the Galaxy has such a star. Bradley Cooper, an Academy Award nominated actor whose recent screen credits include American Hustle, The Hangover trilogy and Silver Linings Playbook. Simply put: he is one of the most popular actors out there. Surely they would use his face to help draw in the ticket sales… well, this is his face in the film:

Yep.
Yep.

Bradley Cooper lends his voice talents as Rocket, the seemingly homicidal, gun-toting, sentient raccoon. While this still sounds like a great casting decision, it’s not going to draw in the casual crowd. That’s okay because Vin Diesel (of Fast and the Furious fame) is also in the movie… as this guy:

Groot-Concept-Art-Comic-Con-2013-Guardians-of-the-Galaxy

Perfect, so the film’s two biggest leads are virtually unrecognizable. I could point out that Zoe Saldana (Star Trek and Avatar) is also in this but, you guessed it: she’s the green chick. This is not to say that Chris Pratt (Peter Quill aka Star-Lord) is a nobody. He has appeared in hits like Parks and Recreation and the LEGO Movie (looks totally identical to his Lego counterpart). Still, of the four actors mentioned, he is currently the lowest in terms of recognition. That may change with films like this and Jurassic World (I’m not kidding, that’s the title of the 4th Jurassic Park) but for now: star power is shaky.

However, star power isn’t the only thing that drives the success of a film. Competition is also important. Guardians of the Galaxy is currently slated for release on August 1st of this year. It’s main competition will be the films that come out immediately before (July) and immediately after (rest of August). Right now it will only be going against films like Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (July 11th), Hercules (July 25th), and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (August 8th). That’s not too imposing in terms of potential blockbusters. The direct challenge is the last film mentioned:

One week after release and the Guardians will face their biggest challenge: a team of much better known superheroes.
One week after release and the Guardians will face their biggest challenge: a team of much better known superheroes.

Guardians of the Galaxy is in good shape to make a splash this summer: provided that audiences think it will be worth paying money to see. That largely depends on marketing. Again they have their hands full this time (who are these people and why should anyone give a damn). First impressions matter and, well, here is the trailer:

Pretty good, nice use of “Hooked On A Feeling” to give it some class (as opposed to trying to cash in on the latest popular radio song). The trailer illustrates that there may be more going on here than just the average, action-driven superhero movie. For one thing: there’s comedy. When two of the main characters are a raccoon and a walking plant, seriousness would be hard to impart. Marvel’s better films (Thor, The Avengers, and Iron Man) have all made excellent use of comedy to help infuse their plots with human emotion.

It is worth noting that this movie is directed by James Gunn. Not the largest name in Hollywood by any stretch but Gunn made a name for himself with Super, another superhero film that not enough people have seen (seriously check it out, Ellen Page is amazing in it). While no guarantee, Gunn’s involvement does bring some assurance that Guardians of the Galaxy will not be the next Man of Steel.

I have made no secret that I believe the superhero genre is dying in movies. I have yet to see anything to convince me otherwise but nevertheless, Guardians of the Galaxy is in a good place to make money this summer. Marvel Studios is counting on it, should this film fail financially, it will bold very ill for the likes of Ant-Man, Black Panther, and Doctor Strange.  If Marvel is lucky (and if the film is good) their gamble will pay off.

Irrational Games is Closing: What it Means for Gaming, BioShock, and Ken Levine

Posted on by Colin McMahon

On February 18th of this year, the video game world received shocking news: Irrational Games is closing. To anyone out there familiar with the industry, this was an unexpected announcement. Irrational Games was a developer responsible for hits like System Shock 2, BioShock, and most recently, BioShock Infinite. Everyone out there today with a console has at least heard of two of those games. In a statement to the press, Irrational Games co-founder, (and lead writer for BioShock Infinite) Ken Levine stated that while Irrational Games would be closing, he and fifteen other former employees would be creating a new studio to create smaller, more narrative-driven games.

Irrational Games was also responsible for Tribes: Vengeance.
Irrational Games was also responsible for Tribes: Vengeance.

Levine was one of (if not the most) driving forces at Irrational Games. In a market dominated by uninspired, unremarkable, triple-A gaming titles, Ken Levine’s writing shown as the most intelligent presence out there. Sure, there is debate on the ending of BioShock Infinite but at least people are still talking about it. I have yet to hear anyone declare: “Bro, that ending to Call of Duty: Black Ops II really blew my mind!” If anything, the triple-A market has been dealt a critical blow by Levine’s departure. It seems like more and more true that the upcoming exciting games of tomorrow are less graphics driven and more story compelled. There are already many people looking forward to the smaller experience that Ken Levine will deliver next. True, no one person makes games but one person can sell them.

Personally I thought BioShock Infinite could have done with one more rewrite to give the ending real emotional impact.
Personally I thought BioShock Infinite could have done with one more rewrite to give the ending real emotional impact.

That being said, Levine’s artistic desires are all very well and good but what about everyone else who lost their job? Did Ken Levine really just lay off nearly everyone who worked for him just so that he could “express himself”? Answer: no, while Levine’s public statement indicates his desire for growth, it does not reflect the reality for Irrational Games. The truth has already started leaking out: this closure surprised no one at the company.

The plot of BioShock might be the most intelligent of any modern game.
The plot of BioShock might be the most intelligent of any modern game.

Few people understand just how cutthroat the video game industry is. It isn’t just companies that make poor product that go out of business. Irrational Games isn’t even the first to fall prey to this hard truth. Anyone remember Team Bondi, the developer who made the hit game, L.A. Noire? That studio closed the same year as their most successful game’s release. But wait, you say: aren’t they developing Whore of the Orient (great title), a game that will be released next year? That is Team Bondi in name only. The company name was bought up in an effort to increase excitement (also not an uncommon practice in the video game industry).

Ground-breaking facial animation wasn't enough to keep Team Bondi afloat. In fact its cost probably was a leading factor in bankrupting the company.
Ground-breaking facial animation wasn’t enough to keep Team Bondi afloat. In fact its cost probably was a leading factor in bankrupting the company.

So what does Irrational Games closing really mean for anyone outside of Irrational Games? Nothing. Ken Levine will get the opportunity to make the games he wants so the industry isn’t losing him. As for BioShock; it will go on… at least for another game. Again, this wouldn’t even be the first time someone else made a BioShock game. Remember BioShock 2? That was… it was…. a mechanically sound game.

While I can't criticize this game as horrible, the compelling story of the series was definitely absent.
While I can’t criticize this game as horrible, the compelling story of the series was definitely absent.