The tent-pole movies this summer, mostly, are ones we've seen before — to all intents and purposes. Change an actor here, a location there, add a number to the title, and really, is there that much that will be different between Hangover 1 and 2 ?
There is pleasure in revisiting old friends, and while there are some you never outgrow — Harry Potter — there are others who don't seem to be getting that “quit while you are even marginally ahead” message. Such as Captain Sparrow who delighted us in the first Pirates of the Caribbean, but was reduced to a caricature of himself by Part 3.
So what's coming out in this Summer of Sequels? Not, unfortunately, Mission Impossible 4: Ghost Protocol , with our very own Anil Kapoor in it — which we now hear is slated for a December release. Meanwhile, though we've totted up a list of the sequels promised over the long hot summer, there is a certain wait-and-see element of who will pop on their due dates — and which ones will make it to Chennai.
The Hangover 2
Who: Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis; directed by Todd Phillips
What: Phil, Stu, Alan and Doug travel to Bangkok for Stu's wedding. Wedding, massive drinking, the morning after, the appearance of a strange monkey, the disappearance of the groom — need we say more?
Kung Fu Panda: The Kaboom Of Doom
Who: Voices of Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, Jackie Chan; directed by Jennifer Yuh
What: It sounds like a plot assembled along the lines of Kate Middleton's wedding dress: i.e. the Panda has to battle something old (a former enemy), alongside something new (fresh kung-fu masters), with something borrowed (the idea of an ultimate deadly weapon), resulting in something blue (us viewers in cold theatres).
X-Men: First Class
Who: James McAvoy, January Jones, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence; directed by Matthew Vaughn
What: Strictly speaking, a prequel about who Charles Xavier and Erik Lensherr were, before becoming archenemies Professor X and Magneto.
Scream 4
Who: Neve Campbell, David Arquette, Courteney Cox, Emma Roberts, Hayden Panettiere; directed by Wes Craven
What: The Ghostface killer returns with some of the stars of that original, much-acclaimed, post-modern horror film — to raise a few new scares.
Cars 2: World Grand Prix
Who: Voiced by Owen Wilson, Michael Caine, Emily Mortimer, Michael Keaton, Jason Isaacs; directed by John Lasseter and Brad Lewis
What: Racing star Lightning McQueen and best friend Mater go up against the world's fastest cars – and also get involved in spy games on the side.
Transformers: Dark Of The Moon
Who: Shia LaBeouf, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Josh Duhamel, Patrick Dempsey; directed by Michael Bay
What: Whoa! If you've reached part 3 and still want to know the plot — you're chasing up the wrong series. But for what it's worth, the stuff revolves around a hidden Cybertronian spacecraft on the moon, and Sam and Maj William Lennox teaming up with Optimus Prime and the Autobots, to save Chicago.
Spy Kids 4: All The Time In The World
Who: Jessica Alba, Joel McHale; directed by Robert Rodriguez
What: Those who saw Spy Kids 3, might ask the question “why?” rather than “what?” This time, a Momma returns to her old job — as a spy — in order to save the world from a criminal who can play with time.
Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part II
Who: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Ralph Fiennes; directed by David Yates
What: The eighth film of the world's most lucrative film franchise promises to end with the kind of bang that will satisfy all of us Muggles who are true believers of the Potter saga. Harry, Ron and Hermione go back to Hogwarts in the hope of finding and destroying the elusive Horcruxes, and, eventually, Voldemort himself.
Final Destination Five
Who: Nicholas D'Agosto, Emma Bell, Arlen Escarpeta; directed by Steven Quale
What: It's enough to make one lose faith in the meaning of words: haven't we reached the very final ending as yet? This time round, survivors of a suspension bridge accident discover that you can't fool the Grim Reaper.
