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Skyscraper- it's Die Hard in a skyscraper!
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'You know, I'd almost forgotten what your eyes looked like. Still the same. Pissholes in the snow'
http://www.paul-a-j-lewis.com (my photography website)
'All explaining in movies can be thrown out, I think': Elmore Leonard
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We have a thread on the Anna Nicole Smith one!
http://www.rockshockpop.com/forums/s...ght=skyscraper
And now I kinda want to rewatch this.
It's funny Dom started a thread with this title though, because when I saw the trailer the other day I thought, huh, this sure as Hell looks like a Die Hard remake.Rock! Shock! Pop!
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Originally posted by Ian Jane View PostWe have a thread on the Anna Nicole Smith one!
In all seriousness, I wish someone would tackle a 'straight' adaptation of Roderick Thorp's novel NOTHING LASTS FOREVER, with an older protagonist (the protagonist of the novel is the same character from Thorp's THE DETECTIVE, the film adaptation of which starred Ol' Blue Eyes, but older and haunted by his experiences in the Second World War) and the terrorism theme intact. I reread it a couple of years ago and it's still as timely as ever, imo.
Strangely, SKYSCRAPER looks like it's been more inspired by Thorp's novel than McTiernan's film adaptation (the terrorism theme, the protagonist's status as a veteran).Last edited by Paul L; 06-19-2018, 12:49 PM.'You know, I'd almost forgotten what your eyes looked like. Still the same. Pissholes in the snow'
http://www.paul-a-j-lewis.com (my photography website)
'All explaining in movies can be thrown out, I think': Elmore Leonard
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After watching this I'm not sure the "Die Hard in a" formula works in a tall building setting.
Die Hard still totally works as a movie. You gotta wonder why filmmakers have totally dropped that formula. John McClaine was a tough guy but he was not a super hero. One of pleasures of that movie is watching him putting himself through things that he knows he shouldn't do because they are going to get him killed. You don't get that with The Rock. The Rock knows he can climb 110 stories(!!!) up the side of a crane, like King Kong, and then leap 50 feet through the air and grab onto the side of a building. Once he's done that where's the excitement? The dude is clearly indestructible and we need fear not for him. It really is all about spectacle and tension goes right out the window.
This also has some major, major plot holes and logic gaps and the final action sequence is the dumbest in a long time: a high tech variation on the Hall Of Mirrors cliche that is foreshadowed to fuck early on in the film. As soon as you see this room you know where the films ending and I doubt you'll feel thrill of anticipation.
The one good bit is the Rock loses a leg in the preamble. I figured this would not hinder him at all but they make use of his leglessness on a regular basis. Also the man has a solid respect for gaffer tape. I respect that.
It feels very directed at the Chinese audience where it pulled in 60 million or so. Money that it well needed as it took a bit over 300 million on a 125 million budget. I'm guessing that's about breaking even.Last edited by Dom D; 12-20-2018, 10:10 PM."Never let the fact that they are doing it wrong stop you from doing it right." Hyman Mandell.
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I watched this a few months ago with my dad, because my dad really likes mainstream Hollywood action movies. I pretty much agree with everything Dom says above, but I think maybe I liked it more. It wasn't good by any standard but it did entertain me. Yeah, the ending is very predictable and yeah, the Rock is indestructible but it had moments of humor and, as you say, spectacle that were at least amusing to me. I never need to see this again, but I don't regret having seen it once.Rock! Shock! Pop!
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I thought this was the blandest film I have seen in ages. Not necessarily bad, but very very very bland.
I also laughed at how they tried to make Vancouver look like Hong Kong. Not very convincing at all."No presh from the Dresh!"
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