As a fan of the first film, I was looking forward to seeing a sequel that was on the same level as the first, maybe even a step or two below that since it would be difficult to repeat the formula. Now, I don't know what happened between the commercial success of the first one and now, but it sure feels like half the cast and crew were happy to just reissue the same jokes as before, and the other half just didn't want to be there. Watch the original and see the life in Farrell's eyes, and then watch the sequel. He looks like he wants to be anywhere but there, which can also be said for Paul Rudd. What is really sad was that not only is it just a dull watch, but the fact that the writers sort of listened to the audience after the first movie and gave Brick way more screen time in this movie, which just makes you stop caring what silliness will come out of his mouth. Not even Kristin Wiig, who normally does great, can save this movie. Seriously, just wait until cable or some free service to watch.
Reviews
2 Reviews
The Corporation
(2003)
Important, but Long-Winded
7 April 2005
Warning: Spoilers
I was going through a time where I was watching only independent films and documentaries when I saw The Corporation. Similar to when I see many documentaries, I went in realizing that this was a group of film makers' opinions and should be treated as such. The biggest reason why people have problems with films like The Corporation or Michael Moore projects is that people treat them as facts that must be believed with unquestionable faith. I watch these films because I'm interested in the film making aspect, as well as being witness to another person's opinion on a subject and then having discussions with other viewers about that film maker's opinion and what our opinions are in return. Films like this encourage open discussion of issues and that is a good thing. There is nothing more fun then having a debate between someone who believes in the opinions of people like Michael Moore and Noam Chomsky and someone who does not.
The Corporation provides many different opinions about all aspects of the modern day corporation. It focuses on all aspects of consumer America, from advertising and sponsoring to corporate crimes and their effects on society. The three sections that I feel had the most impact were the sections that compared the corporation formula and compared that to the mental state of a clinical psychopath, the section on Fox News and the decision on how to carry a particular story (was able to make the same point in twenty minutes that Outfoxed made in a full length feature), and the part where you see the different undercover advertising messages. You'd be very hard pressed to find a more complete film about corporate America, but that also causes a major problem with the film.
Some people will say that the biggest problem with The Corporation is that it only presents one side of the story. Let's face it though, how many documentaries can you name that show all sides of any subject? The problem The Corporation faces is its length. While for many of us, a near two and a half hour film is no big deal and seems almost common place with today's films, it's hard to sell a two and a half hour documentary about corporate America. The Corporation is extremely interesting and entertaining throughout most of the film, but the flow is not smooth and it can become a bit tedious at times. Not that much could have been done about the length. In shortening the film, you sacrifice some of the impact.
Overall, The Corporation brings to light an overall fact that most of us already knew (corporate America is out to make profits at any cost), it does so by showing many smaller, supporting facts that many of us probably did not know. Whether you agree with the overall message (or opinion) is key to creating discussions amongst viewers and get them talking about a subject that people may not have normally discussed. Any film that can generate such discussion is good thing and should be seen by all.
The Corporation provides many different opinions about all aspects of the modern day corporation. It focuses on all aspects of consumer America, from advertising and sponsoring to corporate crimes and their effects on society. The three sections that I feel had the most impact were the sections that compared the corporation formula and compared that to the mental state of a clinical psychopath, the section on Fox News and the decision on how to carry a particular story (was able to make the same point in twenty minutes that Outfoxed made in a full length feature), and the part where you see the different undercover advertising messages. You'd be very hard pressed to find a more complete film about corporate America, but that also causes a major problem with the film.
Some people will say that the biggest problem with The Corporation is that it only presents one side of the story. Let's face it though, how many documentaries can you name that show all sides of any subject? The problem The Corporation faces is its length. While for many of us, a near two and a half hour film is no big deal and seems almost common place with today's films, it's hard to sell a two and a half hour documentary about corporate America. The Corporation is extremely interesting and entertaining throughout most of the film, but the flow is not smooth and it can become a bit tedious at times. Not that much could have been done about the length. In shortening the film, you sacrifice some of the impact.
Overall, The Corporation brings to light an overall fact that most of us already knew (corporate America is out to make profits at any cost), it does so by showing many smaller, supporting facts that many of us probably did not know. Whether you agree with the overall message (or opinion) is key to creating discussions amongst viewers and get them talking about a subject that people may not have normally discussed. Any film that can generate such discussion is good thing and should be seen by all.
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