By Chris Kavan - 09/19/19 at 01:07 AM CT
With Pennywise and the Loser's Club managing to stave off a strong showing from Hustlers, we'll see if the horror sequel can weather the storm from Brad Pitt, Sylvester Stallone and British royalty. Three new films open this weekend, led by Ad Astra, featuring Pitt on a journey in space while we also have the (likely) final film in the Rambo series and a film based on the popular PBS series, Downton Abbey. Combined, the three should prove enough a threat to knock down It Chapter 2.
AD ASTRA Brad Pitt is a man on a mission - one that will lead him to his father (Tommy Lee Jones) who disappeared years earlier on a secretive mission - a mission that now threatens mankind from the far reaches of space. Yes, Ad Astra is a sci-fi film - taking place in the near (enough) future, where man has colonized much of space. Pitt's character is weary and bitter, despite being quite good at what he does, as well as living in the shadow of his father, who is considered something of a legend. While the film trots out some other big stars: Liv Tyler, Ruth Negga and Donald Sutherland among them, this is Pitt's film, as he also narrates much of the story. Unlike Interstellar, James Gray looks to take a more dense journey - and it may be that while Ad Astra has impressed critics, general audiences may give this a pass. I think it looks compelling but have no huge interest to see it in theaters. This is as much an inner journey as it is a journey in space and I'm not sure even with Pitt's presence that it will bring in huge crowds.
Speaking of journeys, Sylvester Stallone is ending a big one - Rambo. That's right, after five films and over 35 years, the action icon is finally ready to call it a day. But not before he takes on a Mexican Cartel. That's right, Rambo had done his best to raise Gabrielle (Yvette Monreal) while battling his own demons and things seem to have worked out as she is off to college. But when she attempts to track down her father in Mexico, she is kidnapped by a cartel led by the sadistic Hugo Martínez (Sergio Peris-Mencheta) and has his finger in everything from drugs to sex trafficking. Of course, Rambo isn't about to let this happen, and once again picks up his gun and looks to impart his own brand of justice on the bad guys. I guess it's not surprise that given our political climate, Rambo would wind up in Mexico (or Arizona - as that's where much of the film is set) but it almost seems a bit too convenient. Still, action fans should be happy enough and hopefully it sends out hero out in a blaze of glory.
I am always wary of TV shows the show up on the big screen. It seems that almost all of them appeal to the hardcore fans (see Veronica Mars, Serenity and Entourage) or are lame attempts at updating them for modern audiences (Get Smart, Dukes of Hazzard, Baywatch) and, in either case, tend to fall short of expectations. Downton Abbey certainly applies to the former - while it was a popular enough show, I don't think that's going to translate to a huge opening. Moreso, while it may have a decent opening weekend, it will likely fall off quickly after the hardcore fans have had their fill. I never watched an episode of the show myself, though I know just about everyone in the original cast is back for this big screen venture, which finds our Crawley family hosting their most prestigious guests - the Royal Family. The film has a large, impressive cast: Michelle Dockery, Matthew Goode, Tuppence Middleton, Maggie Smith, Elizabeth McGovern, Laura Carmichael, Allen Leech, Joanne Froggatt, Imelda Staunton, Brendan Coyle and Hugh Bonneville are just a few of the names associated with this production. As I said, if you were a fan of the TV series, I'm sure this film will be a fine send-off for all your favorite characters. On the other hand, if you're like me, you probably will be fine with skipping this one.
Between It Chapter Two, Hustlers and the the three newcomers, it may be a tight race for the box office crown this weekend. I'll return on Sunday with the full breakdown.
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