Here are action packed trailers that were dropped at 2016’s New York Comic Con. Some of them definitely flew under the radar while others were just giving us more of a taste of what’s to come. Enjoy!
Death Race 2050 (2016)
IMDB | Action, Comedy, Sci Fi | Release Date: Blu-Ray 1/17
Director: G.J. Echternkamp | Cast: Manu Bennett, Malcolm McDowell, Marci Miller
Summary: Legendary filmmaking icon, Roger Corman, is back with his most outrageous film yet in this sensational, action-packed and darkly humorous reboot of the original Death Race 2000! It’s the year 2050 and America is controlled by an all-powerful corporate government ruled by The Chairman (Malcolm McDowell). The masses have been brainwashed with violent virtual-reality entertainment. The event of the year is the Death Race, in which a motley crew of violent drivers compete in a cross-country road race, scoring points for shamelessly running people over and driving each other off the road. The reigning champion and fan favorite, Frankenstein (Manu Bennett), who’s half-man half-machine, wants to take the crown, but his rebel spy co-pilot threatens his legacy.
Quick Thoughts: While it’s clear why it went straight to video, with recognizable names like Malcolm McDowell (A Clockwork Orange) and Manu Bennett (The Shannara Chronicles, Arrow) I kind of wish this fun looking popcorn movie got a little more funding to make it just a little more B-movie tolerable.
John Wick: Chapter Two (2017)
IMDB | Action, Crime, Thriller | Release Date: 10 February 2017
Director: Chad Stahelski | Cast: Keanu Reeves, Ian McShane, Ruby Rose
Summary: In this next chapter following the 2014 hit, legendary hitman John Wick (Keanu Reeves) is forced back out of retirement by a former associate plotting to seize control of a shadowy international assassins’ guild. Bound by a blood oath to help him, John travels to Rome where he squares off against some of the world’s deadliest killers.
Quick Thoughts: Anyone who knows me knows I’m a Keanu Reeves fan all the way back to Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure. So even though the action in the trailer didn’t seem anything new from the first movie, the certain “surprise” appearance from a certain ‘red pill, blue pill’ mentor has me unable to wait until February.
The Great Wall (2016)
IMDB | Action, Adventure, Fantasy | Release Date: 17 February 2017
Director: Yimou Zhang | Cast: Pedro Pascal, Matt Damon, Willem Dafoe
Summary: Starring global superstar Matt Damon and directed by one of the most breathtaking visual stylists of our time, Zhang Yimou (Hero, House of Flying Daggers), Legendary’s The Great Wall tells the story of an elite force making a valiant stand for humanity on the world’s most iconic structure. The first English-language production for Yimou is the largest film ever shot entirely in China. The Great Wall also stars Jing Tian, Pedro Pascal, Willem Dafoe, and Andy Lau.
Quick Thoughts: I honestly can’t wrap my head around this movie. I loved Hero and House of Flying Daggers so having The Great Wall follow those two just seems like a backwards step. Then again seeing this is supposed to be Yimou’s first English language production supposedly trying to appeal to U.S. audiences – I can understand why the plot is a bit absurd and feels lacking.
Legends of the Hidden Temple (2016)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rge71YKo5sY
IMDB | Adventure, Family | Release Date: 26 November 2016
Director: Joe Menendez | Cast: Isabela Moner, Dee Bradley Baker, Michael Benyaer
Summary: Three siblings who break away from a lackluster temple tour in a jungle finds themselves immersed in a real-life mission comprised of obstacles that they must complete in order to escape alive.
Quick Thoughts: It’s clear this movie is sadly not aimed at the age group which watched the original TV series but it’s great to get the 90s nostalgia rolling for kids that didn’t get to experience the frustration of watching people fail at putting the silver monkey together.
Officer Downe (2016)
IMDB | Action | Release Date: 18 November 2016
Director: Shawn Crahan | Cast: Sam Witwer, Lauren Luna Vélez, Kim Coates
Summary: Adapted from the 2010 graphic novel by Joe Casey and Chris Burnham, Officer Downe concocts a hyper-real Los Angeles for the story of a savage LA policeman who is repeatedly resurrected and returned to active duty via dark science technology. When a rookie officer named Gable is recruited as back up, he discovers there’s much more to the titular super-cop than a mindless law enforcement drone warring against a twisted rouges gallery of over-the-top super-villains.
Quick Thoughts: I’m unfamiliar with the graphic novel so I can’t comment on it’s faithfulness to the source material. However, I’m certainly intrigued by the comic flair of the costumes and production elements so maybe I’ll give this movie a shot if I’m super desperate for an action movie.
Power Rangers (2017)
IMDB | Action, Adventure, Fantasy | Release Date: 24 March 2017
Director: Dean Israelite | Cast: Bryan Cranston, Elizabeth Banks, Naomi Scott
Summary: Saban’s Power Rangers follows five ordinary teens who must become something extraordinary when they learn that their small town of Angel Grove — and the world — is on the verge of being obliterated by an alien threat. Chosen by destiny, our heroes quickly discover they are the only ones who can save the planet. But to do so, they will have to overcome their real-life issues and before it’s too late, band together as the Power Rangers.
Quick Thoughts: Another 90s TV to movie reboot, the movie studios clearly are wanting to hook younger audiences and try and pull in their parents. Sadly not the grittier version some fans were rooting for, Power Rangers looks like it will be a complete hit or miss with no chance for the margin between the two.
Resident Evil: The Final Chapter (2016)
IMDB | Action, Horror, Sci-Fi | Release Date: 27 January 2017
Director: Paul W.S. Anderson | Cast: Milla Jovovich, Ruby Rose, Ali Larter
Summary: Picking up immediately after the events in Resident Evil: Retribution, Alice (Milla Jovovich) is the only survivor of what was meant to be humanity’s final stand against the undead. Now, she must return to where the nightmare began – The Hive in Raccoon City, where the Umbrella Corporation is gathering its forces for a final strike against the only remaining survivors of the apocalypse.
Quick Thoughts: I’m down for Milla Jovovich reprising her role in this final installment. But, I’m more interested to see if they manage to close the movie franchise with redemption or if it’s the same hum drum as the past couple movies, in which we’ll probably see some reboot down the line.
Underworld: Blood Wars (2016)
IMDB | Action, Horror | Release Date: 6 January 2017
Director: Anna Foerster | Cast: Kate Beckinsale, Theo James, Lara Pulver
Summary: The next installment in the blockbuster franchise follows Vampire death dealer, Selene (Kate Beckinsale) as she fends off brutal attacks from both the Lycan clan and the Vampire faction that betrayed her. With her only allies, David (Theo James) and his father Thomas (Charles Dance), she must stop the eternal war between Lycans and Vampires, even if it means she has to make the ultimate sacrifice.
Quick Thoughts: I can always get behind bad ass females kicking ass. It’s going to be sad to see both the Resident Evil movie franchise and Underworld franchise come to a close but hopefully that will mean some new kick ass female characters will be created. While, I’m more excited to see Resident Evil (zombies are still “in“), I’ll definitely get around seeing this when it’s hit video and streaming.
War for the Planet of the Apes (2017)
IMDB | Action, Adventure, Drama | Release Date: 14 July 2017
Director: Matt Reeves | Cast: Judy Greer, Woody Harrelson, Andy Serkis
Summary: In War for the Planet of the Apes, the third chapter of the critically acclaimed blockbuster franchise, Caesar and his apes are forced into a deadly conflict with an army of humans led by a ruthless Colonel. After the apes suffer unimaginable losses, Caesar wrestles with his darker instincts and begins his own mythic quest to avenge his kind. As the journey finally brings them face to face, Caesar and the Colonel are pitted against each other in an epic battle that will determine the fate of both their species and the future of the planet.
Quick Thoughts: I have really be enjoying the new reboot only because with each new movie the cast is different (other than Andy Serkis). Somehow with new casting and progression of the time line, each time it the movies are refreshing and doesn’t feel like a rinse, wash, repeat sequel.
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