Hey Freak!

So, I watched Will Smith's "I am Legend" last night. Interesting flick. Suspenseful, but a tad too-slow moving. Seriously, it seemed like a two and a half hour movie, but really, it was barely over 90 minutes. If you don't know what it's about, Will Smith plays the last human in New York after a virus wipes out most of mankind. And, of course, Will Smith somehow saves the day.

But then I was thinking about it...

When does Will Smith every play a "normal" person? I mean, besides "The Pursuit of Happyness," what recent movie of his had him as a normal guy? He's always some kind of superman; the guy that not only saves the world, but does it in an overly grandiose fashion. Or, if he's not saving the world, then at the very least, he's just larger than life (as in "Ali"). I mean, think about it...

Independence Day - blows up the alien mothership, saves the world. Bonus - married the "stripper with a heart of gold." Hahahahah.
Men in Black - not only saves the world from aliens on a daily basis, but he makes it "look gooooood."
Wild Wild West - OK, I never saw this one. I never wanted to. I used to be a huge fan of the show, but this movie didn't look appealing at all. Which is really saying something, considering that Salma Hayek was in it.
I, Robot - plays the last "sane" man on earth; saves the world from evil robots.
I am Legend - plays the last man on earth; develops a cure for the mutated humans.

And now we have Hancock. An alcoholic superhero. Because it's Will Smith; he can't just play an alcoholic cop or fireman or something.

Now, there's nothing wrong with wanting to play "larger than life" all the time. And hey, it's worked - Will Smith has gotten the reputation for delivering the big-name blockbusters for the summer movie watching season. But... I dunno. I guess I'm getting kind of sick watching the same person play basically the same role every year.

Seriously.

I mean, don't we get enough of that with Jack Black (the loveable loser fat guy who always makes good in the end)? Or Adam Sandler (the lovable loser that falls into riches/power, abuses it for a while, then learns his lesson and makes good)? Or Mike Myers (face it, all he every plays is Austin Powers, but in different movies)? Or Will Ferrell (really, do I need to explain how he always plays the same guy?)? OK, sure, those folks occasionally play out of character, but for the most part, we always see these same characters.

Wha, are we not sick of this yet? The same characters, the same gags, year after year? Or, is this all that Hollywood wants to give us? Is this what Hollywood thinks we want to see? Me, I'm kinda sick of it.

I never thought about that until you pointed it out.

What I do know is that the Pursuit of Happyness made me cry like a baby.

Well, he was in 6 Degrees of Separation, but that was before Independence Day. I think he has an expectation of playing larger than life roles.

Also, there was that bit part he had in Jersey Girl, but then he played himself. Normal human, sure, but a rich mother-lover fo sho.

I want different, dammit! This is why I love movies such as Shaun of the Dead so much. It was different. It wasn't Will Ferrell. Give me different!

It's so hard to tell whether it's what we want or what Hollywood is willing to give us. It's like a chicken and the egg type question.

As for I am Legend ... I actually LIKED that it was so slow. If you're the only person in New York city, do you really think the days fly by?

re: I Am Legend ... I know this always sounds obnoxious when people say it but it's true, the book is much better. The ending makes much more sense and explains the title.

Will Smith was in Hitch. He played a normal . . . oh, wait, a super guy who cured some woman's issues with relationships.

In all seriousness, he was kind of normal in that. And it was a cute chick flick type of movie. Strangely, a guy friend of mine was the one who owned it.

Hey wait, he was in Bagger Vance too... oh nevermind. I think he played God in that. Dangnabbit, I think you got somethin' going here!

For me I think it is because we have gotten older. Your about the same age as me and I never noticed these things until that past few years or so.

My daughter asked me how I know the plots of the movies and I said, "because I have seen a lot of movies." yeah, great answer huh? lol

Anyhow, I think the plots of movies have always been pretty much the same, we just don't notice it so much until we get older.

When I was younger, I was too worried about what to wear to the club and if a movie was the nights choice, then I had to worry about who my date was gonna be!

Plots of movies or roles certain actors played never even entered my mind. I surely have come a long way since "Bill and Teds Excellent Adventure" which I still like by the way :o)

Type-casting is a double edged sword.

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