Spring 2014 Movie Preview
As Hollywood prepares for the summer movie season, many studios are releasing films in the upcoming months to satisfy movie-goers until then. Here are a few of the Spring releases that might be worth your attention.
Beginning on March 7, fans of 2006’s 300 can finally find out what happens to Sparta in the follow-up film 300: Rise of an Empire. The film stays faithful to the original in terms of aesthetics, and retains its highly stylized visual effects. The plot focuses on the Queen of Sparta’s decision to wage war with the self-proclaimed god of the Persian Empire, Xerxes. Reprising their roles, respectively, as Gorgo, Dilios, and Xerxes are Lena Headley, David Wenham, and Rodrigo Santoro. This long-time coming sequel should prove to be worth the wait.
Those looking to see the on-screen return of Breaking Bad actor, Aaron Paul, can see him star in Need For Speed on March 14. The film is an adaptation of the popular video game series of the same name. In the film, Paul plays a street racer who is released from prison for a crime he didn’t commit to participate in a race across America and avenge the death of his friend, Pete. Co-starring alongside Aaron Paul is Scott Mescudi, better known as the rapper Kid Cudi, in his silver screen debut.
On March 21, the world will witness the grand return of Kermit the Frog and the rest of Muppets in Muppets Most Wanted. In the official synopsis from Disney via the film’s website, the Muppets find themselves entangled in an international jewel heist while on a world tour in Europe, led by the number one criminal in the world. In addition to the Muppets characters, the film stars Tina Fey and Ricky Gervais. It also features an extensive list of cameo appearances from famous public figures such as Sean “Diddy” Combs, Celine Dion, Lady Gaga, Zach Galifianakis, Usher, and more.
A week later on March 28 is the release of Noah, a film based on the biblical story of Noah’s ark. With an ensemble cast consisting of Russell Crowe (as Noah), Jennifer Connelly, Anthony Hopkins, and Emma Watson, this release is looking to be a mainstream epic. Behind the camera is director Darren Aronofsky, known for his other successful films Black Swan, The Wrestler, and Requiem for a Dream. In the film, Noah suffers from apocalyptic visions of a flood that will consume the world and takes action to protect his family from the deluge.
Interested in seeing a daringly original film? On April 18, you can see Transcendence. Johnny Depp stars as an artificial intelligence researcher who creates a machine that possesses intelligence capabilities beyond that of a human being. He then attempts to connect his mind to the machine to achieve extreme levels of intelligence, and makes the transition from scientist to something more.
Fans of the big action, superhero movies from Marvel can anticipate the release of The Amazing Spider-Man 2 on May 2. This sequel to the hero’s reboot sees Peter Parker trying to bring balance to his life as a high school student by day and a masked web slinger by night. As Peter starts to research into his father’s past, he is confronted by Electro, a villain who appeared in the original comic series. Andrew Garfield returns as Peter Parker alongside Emma Stone as Gwen Stacey, Peter’s love interest. Jamie Foxx plays the antagonist, Max Dillion, who eventually becomes Electro. If you enjoyed the first film, this one should not disappoint.
Closing out the Spring movie stretch and bringing in the Summer blockbuster season is Neighbors, a comedy starring Seth Rogan, Zac Efron, Rose Byrne, and Dave Franco. Rogan and Byrne play a young couple with a newborn who move into a new home next to a college fraternity house. Efron and Franco assume roles as members of the fraternity who clash with the couple throughout the film. With the tagline “Family vs. Frat” on the film’s marquee poster, this story of one-upmanship should be entertaining to say the least.
Theatres are sure to have something for everybody over the next few months. Sequels to critically-acclaimed movies are coming with 300: Rise of an Empire and The Amazing Spider-Man 2. An unfamiliar, original story will be told in Transcendence and an imagining of a prominent biblical piece will be showcased in Noah. Need for Speed is poised to hold movie-goers over who are looking for the thrill of high-powered cars driving obscenely fast until Fast and Furious 7 releases in 2015. Lastly, Muppets Most Wanted and Neighbors are for those who would like a more light-hearted cinema experience.
These films are just a few of many that are coming out before the weather gets warm enough to attend a drive-in theatre, my personal favorite way to see a movie. If none of the releases listed in this article appeal to you, keep a look out for some of the other films coming soon to a theatre near you.
