It seems I’m one of the few people who isn’t particularly bothered by the admittedly surprising prospect of Rob Marshall directing the fourth go-round of “Pirates of the Caribbean.”
Variety first floated the news yesterday that the Oscar-nominated choreographer-turned-filmmaker is in talks to take the reins of Disney’s megabucks franchise from Gore Verbinski, prompting a stream of “what is he thinking” remarks around the web.
While sideswiping Marshall’s upcoming “Nine” as a “problem movie,” David Poland rather melodramatically suggests that it might be “the single worst idea in history.”
Jeff Wells, meanwhile, foresees this damaging Marshall’s Oscar prospects for “Nine.” (Not that the stench of the “Da Vinci Code” franchise turned the Academy off Ron Howard. And I doubt Marshall will be a contender for the win anyway, but that’s another discussion.)
But I don’t really see why this is such a bad idea for the franchise, or indeed for Marshall himself. Yes, the last two “Pirates” films were execrable, but I still believe the first was the best major-studio entertainment of its year. And the reason it succeeded wasn’t because of lavish action set pieces or vast reams of CGI (which the doubters are arguing Marshall isn’t equipped to handle), but because of its old-fashioned staging, humor and healthy sense of camp (which he has in spades).
Let’s get this straight: based on the two examples we have of his work (three if you count his best-buried “Annie” remake for TV), I wouldn’t call Marshall a hack, but I wouldn’t call him an artist either. I’m actually a fan of “Chicago” (one of the decade’s strongest Best Picture winners, if you ask me), but it’s Bill Condon’s ingeniously conceived adaptation that did the heaviest lifting on that project and, to my mind, is largely responsible for its success.
No disrespect to Marshall, who did an exemplary job with his cast, coaxing career-best work from his female leads, kept things moving at a fair clip and brought the requisite visual splash (if not as much finesse) to the proceedings, but there’s a reason the Academy split the Best Picture and Director honors that year: he exhibited some of Bob Fosse’s gifts as a showman, but not as a visionary.
“Memoirs of a Geisha,” however, found the director cramped by conflicting aspirations of art-film stateliness and the old-Hollywood pizzazz of his previous effort — if not the catastrophe that many critics enjoyed declaring it, it was nonetheless a misfire that awkwardly showed up his limitations as a storyteller. Meanwhile, “Nine” may well be terrific, but it’s difficult not to see it as a retreat into more familiar territory after the career setback of “Geisha.”
So why be precious about his career? Marshall may be no auteur, but he still has the makings of a fine studio journeyman, capable of bringing a measure of style and personality to commercial Hollywood product, and the industry always needs more of those. Call me crazy, but I think the “Pirates” franchise is as good a place as any to test him in that department. And given how clumsily staged the last two films were, heaven knows they could use some choreography.
Comments
16 responses to “Rob Marshall and ‘Pirates’ … why not?”
So Johnny Depp is more interested in the Disney franchise than in Gilliam’s Don Quichotte ?
I guess when rise to millardaire status, you want to stay one for your entire life
still, I think someone like Kidman manages not to be so obsessed with being in big films, and she was a huge star before Depp
“but it’s Bill Condon’s ingeniously conceived adaptation that did the heaviest lifting on that project and, to my mind, is largely responsible for its success.”
It was Rob Marshall who said to stage the music scenes as coming from the mind of Roxie Hart
This franchise needs to die.
Meh. I’m no fan of the “Pirates” movies, I liked the first one but not enough for a second viewing. I have no problem with Marshall tackling this franchise, even if it does seem more than unnecessary. This may be exactly what the series needs though, he could breathe some new life into it and maybe get someone like me interested in it…maybe.
Its a testimony to just how awful those movies were that we are a pitying Marshall for getting an opportunity to direct a 200 million dollar movie and earn big bucks. I think he’s a good director, even I thought Geisha was decent.
But the deal with those movies is that the director and the script(Knightley claimed there was none for the 3rd one) are just pretensions. It doesn’t matter shit what is in those films, they are sure-fire blockbusters. And specially for this franchise, the makers long stopped caring whether the movie was good or bad or even watchable, they just want to make the movie(which will surely triple its budget in ticket sales). Its would be sad wasting a good director on such a disposable franchise.
The one upside maybe that his presence could persuade Knightley(who has indicated she has no interest in another Pirates movie) and some other stars to return to or join the franchise.
I agree with you. A curious but potentially savvy choice.
If Disney must refuse the kill this silly franchise, they may as well mix it up.
I’m hot having that much problems with it either to be honest. The franchise isn’t entirely stupid you know.
At least it’ll be better than Transformers 3 :P
To be honest I like this choice and it is the first time I’ve felt some excitement for Pirates 4, just make it shorter than the other films.
If they can regain the sparkle of the first movie, and not some silly trilogy-that-wasn’t-meant-to-be-a-trilogy it might be fun.
I don’t really see why this should be a problem. Marshall is as good a choice as any for this type of movie. I really like the first pirates movie, the second is ok, but the third is one of the worst big budget Hollywood pictures in a long, long time.
I agree with you, Guy. Marshall’s showmanship (which I’m looking forward to see in “Nine”) will be of great use to the franchise, especially to someone like Johnny Depp.
But honestly, isn’t it time for this franchise to go away? I think “POTC 4” is just pushing it.
P.S.: I’m really looking forward to “Nine”. “Chicago” is one of this decade’s strongest BP winners, and after that HD trailer with all the colors and choreography, I’m excited to see how this one goes.
I actually really liked the third film, though the second was a mess. I don’t think the dazzle of the first one will return. Marshall’s as good as any, but I dunno…seems iffy to even do this movie.
I think he just wants to try his hands on a major summer blockbuster franchise for once, and I don’t see why he deserves scorn for it. Steven Spielberg jumps from serious fare to summer fare all the time (Schindlers to Jurassic Park etc…) and we all look forward to it either way.
” ‘Chicago is one of the decade’s strongest BP winners’ “. Agreed. And “Nine” is easily my most anticipated film of the year.
I thought the first Pirates movie was the only one worth seeing. The sequels left much to be desired.