Spring has sprung, the warm weather is (almost) upon us and that can mean only one thing: Summer is just around the corner.
Which means it’s time to cue the explosions, ready the armour-plated superheroes for takeoff, pour a few Cosmopolitans and buckle up for Metro’s annual summer movie preview:
Speed Racer (May 9): The classic 1960s anime cartoon races to life with all the effects that today’s CGI technology has to offer, not to mention one of Hollywood’s hottest young stars — the critically lauded Emile Hirsch — in the driver’s seat.
Indiana Jones And The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull (May 22): After a 19-year hiatus, the swashbuckling archaeologist is back with his trademark fedora and brings a sidekick along for the ride — Transformers’ Shia LaBeouf — as they take on agents of the former Soviet Union.
Sex And The City (May 30): Carrie, Samantha, Miranda and Charlotte make their big screen debut in what is sure to be the film highlight of the year for the Cosmopolitan-drinking, Manolo Blahnik-wearing set. The principal TV cast makes the jump to the big screen, along with Chris “Mr. Big” Noth.
You Don’t Mess With The Zohan (June 6): Adam Sandler stars as an elite Israeli commando who moves to the U.S. to become a hairstylist, only to have his past catch up with him. The film is co-written by Knocked Up and 40-Year-Old Virgin writer-director Judd Apatow.
The Incredible Hulk (June 13): The Illusionist star Edward Norton takes the leading man reins from Aussie actor Eric Bana to bring the Hulk to life yet again. This time, Dr. Bruce Banner is trying to cure himself of his temperamental affliction when an even stronger rival forces him to accept his lot — Banner gets angry and a little green around the ears.
WALL-E (June 27): Director Andrew Stanton (Finding Nemo) helms this futuristic animated feature from Disney-Pixar about robots left on Earth to clean up after humans have deserted the garbage-laden planet. The last one standing, WALL-E, falls for a probe sent to investigate their progress.
The Dark Knight (July 18): The second Batman feature starring Christian Bale is being hyped as much for being the last film to star the late actor Heath Ledger as it is for its action sequences.
Mamma Mia (July 18): The film adaptation of the hit musical featuring the music of ’70s Swedish pop super-group ABBA stars Oscar-winner Meryl Streep as single mom Donna Sheridan and features Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth and Stellan Skarsgård.
Step Brothers (July 25): Will Ferrell reunites with his Talladega Nights co-star John C. Reilly, as well as Anchorman and Talladega director Adam McKay, for a comedy about two grown men who become stepbrothers when their parents marry.
X-Files: I Want To Believe (July 25): The second feature film based on the hit ’90s TV show reunites Mulder (David Duchovny) and Scully (Gillian Anderson) as they tackle the strange and supernatural — plot details remain a mystery.
