Mattel’s first film finally arrives.
[dropcap size= small]W[/dropcap]hether it be G.I. Joe or Transformers, somehow we exist in a universe where studios are making mindless adaptations of intellectual properties that are fueled by nostalgia from plastic figurines and cartoon iterations. The G.I. Joe franchise fizzled but somehow the Transformers franchise seems as if it will never slow down. This could be why Mattel’s long gestating production is finally being released two years after being shot. It is well known that originally the film was envisioned as a starring vehicle for Taylor Lautner but he passed and his star fell considerably. Max Steel was still made and the film Lautner picked over it, Stretch Armstrong, will likely never be made.
The popular Max Steel is a proven commodity for Mattel for nearly two decades. The action figure has spawned multiple animated series and consistent direct-to-video releases for years. Unfortunately, the most pleasant description that can be given to this trailer is formulaic.
There have been good movies with bad marketing but this may not be applicable here. Judge for yourself below:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSfWGcD78v4]
Six years since the film was announced and nearly two years after it was shot, complicated paperwork about a release have been said to be the reason for the delay, yet those attached to the production have never explicitly cited a detailed reason.
For those hoping that Max Steel rises above the adversity, you should be pleased by the talent attached. Directed by relative newcomer Stewart Hendler (Halo 4: Forward unto Dawn) and written by Christopher Yost (Thor: The Dark World), Max Steel stars young Ben Winchell, Silicon Valley’s Josh Brener, the memorable Mario Bell0 and Terry Benedict himself, Andy Garcia.
The suit does not look bad and there is potential for some quippy dialogue from Max and Steel, though it is hard to be optimistic about a film that was shelved for so long.
Max Steel opens in theatres October 21st.
