He’s got, like, 11 television directorial credits – most of which of I have not seen – so I’m not sure if I feel right about doing this. I can’t accurately judge someone’s film directing abilities based on two features, right? Too bad. I saw Star Trek a week ago and M:i:III about two week ago, so I’m doing this.
First, I’ll do my best to address some of his TV work. I’ve never seen, nor heard anything about Felicity. The only thing I remember about Alias is a teaser that ran during some Super Bowl that featured Jennifer Garner getting out of a pool and removing her bikini top with her back to the camera. So, I guess you could say I’m a huge Alias fan. I am not a huge fan of Lost. A friend burnt me a copy of the first season. I watched the first 15 episodes and couldn’t stand it. Something interesting would happen in one episode and then it would be ignored in the next. I’ve heard great things about later episodes (Questions get answered.) and the show definitely has a devoted audience, but I do not have the patience for it. Also, Abrams directed one episode of The Office in 2007 (season 3, episode 17, “Cocktails”). I didn’t notice anything Abramsy (No, I can’t define that.).
Now, for the stuff I can have an opinion on:
2. Mission: Impossible III
Mission: Impossible III puts me in a tough spot. Can I buy the third part of a trilogy without ever buying the first two? I didn’t love the M:I I or M:I II. I did love this one. There’s something about Philip Seymour Hoffman acting like Tom Cruise acting like Philip Seymour Hoffman. In his review of MI3 (a movie that refuses to be abbreviated), Roger Ebert wrote, “Either you want to see mindless action and computer-generated sequences executed with breakneck speed and technical precision, or you do not.” Sometimes that is exactly what I want.
1. Star Trek
A lot of people have called it “this year’s Iron Man”. That’s fair. Star Trek is a lot of fun. It’s intelligent, funny, and wildly entertaining. It’s also launching careers. Chris Hemsworth, who was James Kirk’s father in the opening scene, has already signed on to play Thor. And Chris Pine proved himself as a charismatic actor, who will surely be in the running for all blockbuster leading roles.
Upcoming Projects
Abrams has been attached to all sorts of stuff. Earlier this year, he, according to IMDb, just finished Anatomy of Hope. An HBO series based on a book by someone named Jerome Groopman. It’s a “medical drama.” I will never see an episode. IMDb lists his next film as Untitled Hunter Scott Project. Hunter Scott’s website will give you most of the information you’ll need, “Combining elements of the past and present, the drama would focus on the 12 year old boy and his relationship with one of the [USS Indianapolis'] survivors, whom he forces to deal with the haunting events of 1945.” Abrams has also been attached to adapt and produce Stephen King’s Dark Tower series since 2007. The books are so popular that no matter how the film turns out people will be disappointed.
Abrams was extensively involved in 2008’s Cloverfield, a movie I like even more than the two listed above. A sequel is said to be in the works for that, as well as (of course) Star Trek. He probably will not direct either film.
Abrams is a genius. He understands what audiences want to see. He knows exactly how to attract audiences to anyhting. Who else could made Star Trek marketable on MTV? I’ve embedded a video at the end of this post. Really, if I had never seen that video, I would not be writing this half-assed “Director Profile”. Watch the video. It is 18 minutes long, but it’s worth the time. Abrams acknowledges and is not afraid of the idea that amateurs are now able to acquire tools comparable to what professionals use. He encourages you to “go make your movie.”
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