Chapter 139 Michael Bay’s Mental Journey
007 has been interpreted by different people and has different feelings, but the basics of the character are roughly the same, so it seems a little aesthetically tired.
But John Mason is completely different. Although he is still set as a British agent, there is no shadow of 007 at all.
For this reason, when British film critics evaluated this role, they affirmed Roger Moore's performance and Gilbert Jr.'s script writing.
"Roger Moore played John Mason perfectly, with no trace of 007 at all, impeccable.
However, we cannot ignore the important role played by the film's director and screenwriter Gilbert Jr. It can be said that it was under his creation that this classic agent character was born. "
There are not many agent characters in movies that can be called classics. After all, Ethan Hunt and Jason Bourne haven't come out yet, so 007 can be called a classic.
But this British film critic elevated the character of John Mason to the same position as 007. Although 007 fans felt it was a bit inappropriate, many fans who had watched "The Island" agreed.
With extremely high recognition and love, "The Island" opened with a box office of US$10.237 million in the UK in its first week, successfully winning the UK's local box office title in its first week.
The results in several other markets are also quite good. Although it is not as enthusiastic as the British market, the love for good movies is unstoppable.
In its first week in France, the film took in a box office of US$7.425 million and in Germany a box office of US$6.529 million.
These two countries have one of the best economies in Europe. Although the film market is not as big as North America, it can still contribute considerable box office revenue.
In fact, this is also one of the traditional ticket warehouses of Hollywood after World War II.
Although French filmmakers have always been less receptive to Americans after the New Wave movement, French movie fans have used honest actions to express what kind of movies they like.
When "Jurassic Park" was released in France, the French Minister of Culture also called on French movie fans to boycott the film.
As a result, "Jurassic Park" finally grossed US$28.9 million at the box office in France, becoming the annual box office champion in the French film market that year.
The same is true for today's "The Island". Many French directors have come forward to call on French movie fans to give French movies some room to survive and resist the threat from Hollywood.
But French movie fans didn't listen at all and honestly supported "The Island" with their movie tickets.
Perhaps it is also because of the arrogance of French filmmakers and their unwillingness to let down their figures that the French gang has such a miserable time in Hollywood.
Not to mention the British and Italian gangs, even the German gangs next door are doing better in Hollywood than the French gangs.
In Italy, "The Island" also took in a box office of US$5.37 million in its first week.
Italian movie fans rate this movie very highly, and its director, Gilbert Landrini Jr., is of authentic Italian origin, and his grandfather’s generation is still living in Italy!
The identity recognition makes the people in his hometown in Italy very supportive of this American young man whose ancestral home is Milan.
It's a pity that Italy's economy is in recession, and even the film industry has been greatly affected. The box office it can contribute is limited, and it is not as good as France.
The Spanish side is a little less, only 2.43 million US dollars.
But don’t use mosquito legs as meat. Many overseas box office successes are accumulated little by little through this small market.
Although it was only released in five countries and is far from a global release, it took in US$31.991 million in the first week overseas. Together with the North American box office, the film once again topped the global weekly box office.
In fact, many times, if a film can win the North American weekly box office championship, it will usually also win the global weekly box office championship.
Whether it’s French movies or Italian movies, it’s not that there aren’t good filmmakers, it’s just that there isn’t a huge market to support the film industry.
The market can be said to be the decisive factor in the survival of the film industry. If the market is large enough and can support the film industry, it can survive even if it cannot go out.
In this regard, Hong Kong Island movies are a typical example.
The downward trend of Hong Kong films has not yet appeared. The entire Southeast Asia, including Japan and South Korea, is the traditional market for Hong Kong films.
Once these markets accept other things, or stop Hong Kong movies, Hong Kong movies that lose the support of the huge market can only decline.
The one to the north seems to be the opportunity for the Hong Kong Film Market to save itself. Unfortunately, not many people have the foresight, and even fewer people have thought of this step.
The country on the other side of the Pacific is very simple. Although there are many successful overseas film cases, Chinese-language films are essentially limited to their own small circles.
But it relied on the huge market to survive tenaciously. It was not completely defeated by the introduced Hollywood blockbusters. Instead, it continued to survive and became more tenacious, and the market became bigger and bigger.
I have to say, this is an amazing achievement.
As for some unpleasant things that happened during this achievement, let’s ignore them for now!
It is worth mentioning that as a Hollywood director who is receiving the most attention, after the signing of the contract to introduce the film, Gilbert Jr.'s works are the key introduction targets of China Film.
Both of his movies have achieved good results there. "Iron Armor" has a box office of 1,125 RMB, and "Speed" also has a box office of 8.66 million RMB.
Therefore, as soon as "The Island" was released, China Film Corporation discussed with Warner Bros. and planned to introduce this film.
However, the date for meeting the Chinese audience will be later, probably until July or August. This is still early. Some films were introduced a year after their release in North America. By that time, the overseas box office of the film was almost settled.
In the office of the CAA president in Century City, Martin Bob was talking to Michael Bay: "This time the results are good, Michael, the North American box office of "Jedi Men" is 54 million US dollars.
And looking at overseas box office trends, the global box office may exceed 100 million US dollars. Such a small to medium-budget film is enough for you to gain a foothold in Hollywood. "
When Michael Bay heard this, he said arrogantly: "Not only do I want to gain a foothold, I also want to become the top director in Hollywood."
After all, Michael Bay has made great achievements, and Martin Bob is also willing to say a few good words: "It's good to have this dream, but Michael, wanting to become the top director in Hollywood is not that simple.
There is still a lot you need to learn! "
Michael Bay asked: "Study Little Gilbert?"
"Yes, learning from him is the right way." Martin Bob sighed.
He is very optimistic about Michael Bay's potential, but it would be great if Michael Bay was replaced by little Gilbert. He can't even think about how prosperous he will be.
But it's a pity that this is just a fantasy. Little Gilbert's glory has nothing to do with him. Instead, people are targeting CAA.
In fact, it is not entirely correct to say that Gilbert Jr. is targeting CAA. Basically, Gilbert is only targeting his group, and is very friendly to Pat Kinlis and Eno Martin's group.
Martin Bob also heard that at the premiere, Little Gilbert extended an invitation to Tom Hanks, Eno Martin's main client.
Generally, Martin Bob would not take invitations from directors seriously, but this is Gilbert Jr.'s new movie.
Such a good thing was given to Ino Martin, how could Martin Bob not be angry?
Martin Bob also tried to communicate with Enoch Martin and asked Enoch Martin to promote packaging services to Little Gilbert, but Enoch Martin refused.
Needless to say, Tom Hanks must have already told him that CAA's rules would not apply to little Gilbert.
Thinking back to Roger Moore, who is now famous after starring in "The Island", Martin Bob can't help but feel regret.
It would have been great if Sean Connery could have been persuaded to take over "The Island". Now there is no need to envy and hate because of the beautiful performance of "The Island".
Michael Bay also asked about the box office of "The Island". Martin Bob said he didn't know the specific data, but the North American box office has exceeded 100 million.
This makes Michael Bay quite envious, but he has not lost his confidence. He feels that if the film is directed by him, he can also exceed 100 million in the North American box office.
After leaving Martin Bob's office, the long-faced director became interested. He put on a hat and went to a nearby cinema to watch "The Island" to see how big the gap was between himself and little Gilbert.
After watching the movie, Michael Bay had to admit that Gilbert Jr. was a master at controlling rhythm and had great ideas in lens design, but it was not insurmountable.
Michael Bay felt that if he had been in charge, he could have produced the film with the same effect, or even better.
After watching the movie, Michael Bay's self-confidence is even stronger. It seems that the talented director Gilbert Jr. who is praised by Hollywood is nothing more than that.
When he walked out of the cinema, Michael Bay was caught for an interview. He replied: "The film is a first-class thrilling action film with rich style and full of humor.
It borrows elements from other movies because not much in it is new.
But every element in the film has been polished to a polished sheen: shootouts, explosions, torrents, hand-to-hand combat, interrogation, torture, imprisonment, escape and the gibberish of scientists.
Director Guibert Jr. orchestrates these elements into an efficient and exciting film that features some big laughs, lurid special effects sequences and sustained suspense.
Funny, like Roger Moore. Excellent actors like Nicolas Cage and Ed Harris find a way to occupy the center of the film and make the characters somehow strange but believable. "
The reporter was stunned, why does this evaluation sound like a professional film critic?
So the reporter asked: "Are you a professional film critic?"
Michael Bay was stunned for a moment, then shook his head and said: "No..."
After speaking, without waiting for reporters to ask further questions, Michael Bay lowered the brim of his hat and left quickly.
The next day, the interview footage of Michael Bay, an enthusiastic citizen, was released. The TV station did not even edit it. Perhaps it felt that Michael Bay said it well and was reluctant to cut it.
But no one recognized that this enthusiastic citizen was Michael Bay, the director of the movie "Bad Boys" released on April 7 this year.
After all, he has not reached the position of a top director, so not everyone will recognize him as a fledgling director.
And Michael Bay is not like Little Gilbert, who can attract people's attention based on his appearance.
This was the first time Michael Bay watched Gilbert Jr.'s movie from an objective standpoint, and it left a deep impression on him.
Martin Bob was right, you have to have a goal in Hollywood, and little Gilbert is Michael Bay's goal.
(End of chapter)