HOLLYWOOD—While everyone’s focus this week may have been the festivities leading up to the Super Bowl, those of us in the movie world were eagerly anticipating the release of some of 2014’s biggest films. The Super Bowl presented audiences with their first glimpses of some popular franchises heading to the big screen in the coming months. First up, we finally got a teaser of the fourth installment in the “Transformers” universe minus Shia LaBeouf. “Transformers: Age of Extinction” stars Mark Wahlberg, as a father trying to protect his daughter and the universe from some unbelievable robots like we’ve never seen before.
Let’s just say the glimpse into space, the destruction of a cool car and dinobots have already sealed the deal for me to be at the multiplex on June 27. We also got a sneak peek at “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” starring Chris Evans and Scarlett Johansen. Let’s just say most of us already have an idea of who the Winter Solider is, but he’s going to be a formidable foe for our superhero this time around. Did I mention the big tease the movie is using to get audiences into the theater? Let’s just say a major character is going to bite the dust, a MAJOR player! The movie arrives on April 4.
On the other side of the Marvel universe, audiences were treated to an extra long tease of “The Amazing Spiderman 2,” which sees Peter Parker/Spiderman (Andrew Garfield) battling a slew of baddies this time around including The Green Goblin (Chris Cooper), The Rhino (Paul Giamatti) and Electro (Jamie Foxx). Speaking of Electro, the tease gave audiences a front-row seat as to how the character develops his powers courtesy of some electric eels. Let’s just say this picture is relying heavily on its special effects which look amazing to say the least.
Another notable picture to look out for is “Need for Speed” starring “Breaking Bad” actor Aaron Paul. We got to see sleek cars, but more importantly really fast cars doing amazing things on the road. The big problem this movie may encounter is the comparison to the “Fast and Furious” pictures. If it can find a way to separate itself from that franchise, it should do stellar business at the box-office. My one question to all those summer blockbusters that will be soon coming out, why weren’t more studios eager to promote trailers during the Super Bowl for audiences; it’s the perfect form of advertising people!
