 |
Friday, January 27, 2006
'Annapolis' founders in a sea of cliches
James Franco, best known as Harry Osborne, Peter Parker's best friend in the "Spider-man" movies, is not your usual romantic lead. His big, rough features and bony brow give him a rough-and-tumble look, whether he's brooding or breaking into a goofy smile, and he's a natural at suggesting the emotions burning behind his eyes.
 | MOVIE REVIEW | ||
| |||
View all photosIt makes him apt casting in this otherwise day-old rehash of "An Officer and a Gentleman," served up with a side of "Rocky."
Franco is the smoldering Jake Huard, a working-class kid who dreams of leaving the Annapolis shipyards to attend the Naval Academy across the bay. He's also an amateur boxer, which plays a central but largely symbolic role in his growth from scrappy, streetwise lone wolf to respected and respectful company man.
Tyrese Gibson is not merely the Marine veteran turned senior midshipman who is determined to wash Jake out, but the Annapolis boxing champ as well (can you see a showdown coming?). The fetching Jordana Brewster is largely window dressing as the spunky upperclassman and romantic interest who sees potential through Jake's rough-hewn manners and good looks.
The underdog story doesn't miss a cliche, even though it never figures out whether it's a boxing picture or a military drama. Even the obligatory basic-training montages are increasingly dominated by boxing workouts.
Director Justin Lin ("Better Luck Tomorrow") injects a little tension into the aggressively integrated cast and some flash to the fights, but never manages to find a single surprise in the script. This Hollywoodized naval drama is no adventure, it's just a job.
My web site
My Yahoo!
Google
· Stay in DVD: 'HIYA, KIDS!! A '50S SATURDAY MORNING'
· 'Speed Racer': This ride is purely for the kids
· Don't fret about laughs staying in Vegas with Diaz and Kutcher
· Imagination helps boys defy their environment in 'Son of Rambow'
· Mamet's 'Redbelt' raises action filmmaking to an art
· 'My Brother': Political passion stirs sibling rivalry
· Limited Movie Runs
· Seattle Movie Events
· Watch This: 'The Living End'
· Parents Film Guide
· Watch This: 'Intelligence'
· Watch This: 'The Business of Being Born'
more· Child 'Forrest Gump' actor leaving Army
· Uma Thurman sues Lancome in advertising dispute
· Glenn Close's best-known roles belie love of dogs
· Pace picks up 'The Fall,' but won't push it too much
· Portrait of Heath Ledger wins Australian art award
more
101 Elliott Ave. W.
Seattle, WA 98119
(206) 448-8000
Home Delivery: (206) 464-2121 or (800) 542-0820
seattlepi.com serves about 1.7 million unique visitors
and 30 million page views each month.
Send comments to newmedia@seattlepi.com
Send investigative tips to iteam@seattlepi.com
©1996-2008 Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Terms of Use/Privacy Policy
