Trailer Catch-Up is back for the Labor Day weekend. As the end of summer draws near and I’m patiently waiting for the first word of mouth from what’s premiering at this year’s Telluride Film Festival, some big trailers came out, and I’m here to give my quick thoughts on each of them.
‘Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker’ (12/20)
First up from Monday morning, we got ourselves a special look, not technically a new trailer, for Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, which was shown at D23 last weekend.
The first half is just a trip down memory lane (even the prequels) and a ton of new footage shown, which looks absolutely incredible. I don’t care what anybody thinks. What’s probably my favorite scene is a fight between Rey and Kylo Ren that has a cool setting quite opposite of when Anakin and Obi-Wan fought on Mustafar. And I love hearing Palatine’s voice saying, “Your journey nears its end.”
But the one thing everybody has been talking about is Rey’s appearance while wilding a red, double-headed lightsaber?! The countless theories are all the talk about if she’s on the dark side, a clone, or it’s all just a dream. I predict it’s a dream. All that being said, The Rise of Skywalker is still my most anticipated movie for the rest of the year. No more trailers for me and this is pretty much my reward for, hopefully, finishing school.
Score: 9/10
‘Joker’ (10/4)
Next up, Warner Bros. Pictures released the final trailer for Joker, which stars Joaquin Phoenix in the titular role. The first trailer back in April widely impressed me since I felt like it was unnecessary. But this new trailer has me convinced that Phoenix, along with his laugh, will be amazing and it will be a little chaotic.
That being said, Joker still has me skeptical and wonder if this would manage to be a fascinating tale around the fact it’s not connected to the DCEU, stands solely on its own, and how this origin story will be handled with its R-rating. And I will make the prediction that people online will debate profusely on it being good or bad. It looks beautifully shot and could likely be a comic-book version of both Taxi Driver or The King of Comedy, which seems to be the inspirations.
Score: 8/10
‘Terminator: Dark Fate’ (11/1)
Next up, Paramount Pictures released the second trailer for Terminator: Dark Fate. If you’re unfamiliar with how most trailers from this franchise works, they have a reputation for spoiling a particular plot point and entirely ruin the rest of the movie. We all know the prime example is from Genysis. Fortunately, this wasn’t spoil anything. Still, though, I’m not exactly anticipating this like everyone else.
The first trailer I didn’t like at all when it was online back in May, at least this is somewhat better, especially with music that fit the tone and the action that look half bad. I’m hesitant because even if James Cameron is coming back and Linda Hamilton is a welcome return, those last three movies tainted this entire franchise. Will this return to the glory days of the original two? Who knows. Also, that “I’ll Be Back” line was SO forced at the end.
Score: 6.5/10
‘Lucy in the Sky’ (10/4)
Next up, Fox Searchlight released the full-length trailer to Noah Hawley’s upcoming drama Lucy in the Sky. The last one came out back in March, and now since it’s coming out in October, a new one is in order. Natalie Portman stars as astronaut Lucy Cola, who starts to lose a bit of herself as she returns to Earth.
I gotta say, I’m more excited about Lucy in the Sky with each trailer that comes out. What could be interesting is knowing that there will be different aspect ratios, especially in space where it’s all in wide shots. I’m having my fingers-crossed to hearing good buzz from TIFF in a few weeks.
Score: 8/10
‘The King’ (11/1 on Netflix)
Next up, Netflix revealed the teaser trailer to director David Michôd’s adaptation of The King, based on William Shakespeare’s plays of the character Henry. Timothée Chalamet portrays Hal, a wayward prince who take up the throne after his father’s death and what upbringings he has to concur.
Not a lot of takes on Shakespeare are impressive for me to check out. But The King doesn’t look bad. If this story and cast are handled well enough to be enjoyable, this could be in-line with having a similar feel of last year’s Outlaw King. Along with Chalamet, The King also has Joel Edgerton (who also co-wrote this with Michod), Sean Harris, Lily-Rose Depp, Robert Pattinson, and Ben Mendelsohn.
Score: 7/10
‘The Aeronauts’ (12/6)
Next up, Amazon Studios has finally released the full-length trailer for The Aeronauts, which reunites Theory of Everything co-stars Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones. They play scientist James Glaisher and pilot Amelia Wren, who are on the brink of survival while in a hot air balloon trip to uncover discoveries around the world.
Going up in a hot air balloon is never going to happen to me, but The Aeronauts has the chance to be an exciting adventure. The cinematography already looks gorgeous, which I hope looks great while watching it on my TV. Honestly, I wished it stayed with its IMAX release in the states. It’s going to have its premiere at TIFF next weekend, so I hope it’s good enough to check it out when it hits Prime Video a couple of weeks later.
Score: 7/10
‘The Laundromat’ (10/18 on Netflix)
And the last trailer of the week comes from another Netflix original for Steven Soderbergh’s next crime comedy The Laundromat, starring Meryl Streep, Gary Oldman, and Antonio Banderas. Based on a true story about Streep’s widow character investigating this huge money-laundering scheme by this law firm in Panama City.
I’ve never been a humongous fan of Soderbergh, but I happen to enjoy most of his films in the past. The Laundromat looks to be another win in his filmography. Working with his longtime screenwriter Scott Z. Burns, knowing that it has this talented cast and that humor that makes or breaks a Soderbergh flick. The Laundromat might be a lazy afternoon watch on the weekend when I have nothing else to do.
Score: 6.5/10
DC's Take 