Harrison Ford’s Sci-Fi Movies Bombed When They Weren’t ‘Star Wars’ & ‘Blade Runner’

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As a film enthusiast with over three decades of cinematic journey under my belt, I must say that Harrison Ford’s foray into science fiction outside the galaxy far, far away has been less than satisfying, to put it mildly.

To many, Harrison Ford is best recognized as either Indiana Jones or Han Solo. Sci-fi enthusiasts will also remember him from Ridley Scott’s 1982 masterpiece, Blade Runner, where he played Rick Deckard. However, outside the Star Wars universe and the grimy future portrayed in Blade Runner, Ford has appeared in two other science fiction films; yet, these didn’t immediately gain classic status.

In 2013, the film version of “Ender’s Game,” originally penned by Orson Scott Card in 1985 and brought to life by director Gavin Hood, hit the screens. The novel was so captivating that it won Card both the Nebula and Hugo awards for best novel. Unfortunately, the movie fell short of the story’s essence and excitement. Similarly, “Cowboys & Aliens,” an adaptation from a 2006 graphic novel, released in 2011, seemed to lack the original’s charm and intensity.

In two different films, Harrison Ford appears alongside top-tier actors: in “Ender’s Game,” he takes on the role of Col. Graff opposite Asa Butterfield as Ender Wiggin, while in “Cowboys & Aliens,” Ford portrays Col. Woodrow Dolarhyde alongside Daniel Craig’s Jake Lonergan. Both movies have large supporting casts, but they don’t make full use of this wealth of talent. Given the impressive lineup of actors involved, it’s disappointing that these movies turned out to be major flops.

Stunningly Dull Scenery and Plot

It’s unfortunate that the movie adaptations of Cowboys & Aliens, based on such a wealth of material, seem to have stripped away much of their original charm. Instead of vibrant alien designs and vivid colors from the graphic novel, we get dimly lit characters and creatures that lack creativity and imagination. The performances by Craig and Ford are hardly noticeable; the characters seem to blend into the backdrop, which is less impressive than the artistry of Dennis Calero, Luciano Lima, and Andrew Elder in the graphic novel. This is one of Jon Favreau’s rare instances where his direction falls short.

As a film enthusiast, I must admit that the absence of pre-existing artwork or visuals in the adaptation of “Ender’s Game” didn’t deter me from diving into Orson Scott Card’s brilliantly penned novel. The words on the page spring to life, creating a tangible and menacing universe inhabited by the Formics. Characters such as Peter and Valentine offer intriguing subplots that delve deeper into their complex personalities. Given the extensive reworking the script underwent – passing through over six drafts before reaching the final cut – it’s clear that the filmmakers aimed for perfection.

Disastrously Underutilized Casts

In most cases, it’s disheartening when top-tier actors don’t receive roles or guidance that highlight their talents. Regrettably, this film seems to fall into that category. The impressive ensemble cast of Cowboys & Aliens, featuring stars like Sam Rockwell, Clancy Brown, Paul Dano, and Walton Goggins, all deliver solid performances. However, they are not given the opportunity to fully demonstrate their abilities in this production. Additionally, Favreau’s direction of the scenes lacks the necessary spark.

In “Ender’s Game,” notable actors like Viola Davis, Ben Kingsley, and Hailee Steinfeld make appearances, with Steinfeld playing Petra Arkanian. Unfortunately, Harrison Ford delivers one of his least compelling performances in this film. It’s unfortunate that such a talented actor, performing alongside other esteemed performers, isn’t able to fully demonstrate his capabilities. Similarly, Asa Butterfield is not given the chance to create an engaging performance, which seems unusual given he’s the main character. It’s challenging for any actor to excel with a script as poor as this one, but it’s particularly disappointing when it happens with such well-known figures.

Massive Budgets with Mixed Results

It’s astonishing that with a substantial budget, well-known Hollywood actors, and Jon Favreau as director, the movie “Cowboys & Aliens” didn’t perform exceptionally well commercially. Despite a star-studded cast and Favreau at the helm of direction, the film barely managed to recoup its $163 million production cost at the box office. However, when you factor in the global marketing and advertising efforts by Universal Pictures, “Cowboys & Aliens” is believed to have cost the company around $80 million more than it earned.

Upon its release, audience responses varied considerably. A significant challenge with movies based on other media is that viewers have a point of comparison, and often judge the adaptation against this. This was true for the film Cowboys & Aliens; it failed to reach the standards set by the graphic novel from which it originated, and unfortunately, that’s not satisfactory.

The movie adaptation of “Ender’s Game” faced opposition from the LGBTQ+ group Geeks OUT, due to author Orson Scott Card’s controversial views on homosexuality. Throughout his life, he has been vocal in his opposition to gay marriage and has written extensively about his belief that gay relationships are inferior to straight ones. This stance raised concerns among many, as it was the work of this author that director Gavin Hood chose to bring to the screen. The controversial choice may have contributed to the film’s poor performance at the box office, ultimately landing “Ender’s Game” on Variety’s list of the biggest box office flops in 2013.

Although Harrison Ford didn’t personally lead the films to their downfall, perhaps it would have been wiser for him to steer clear of science fiction within this particular universe.

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2024-12-25 23:31