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- ‘The Lost City’ Is a Star-Studded Action Comedy Extravaganza
- Is ‘The Lost City’ an Unofficial Remake of a Beloved ’80s Classic?
- ‘The Lost City’ Dazzles Audiences
As a lifelong cinephile who has spent countless hours immersed in the golden age of Hollywood, I must say that The Lost City is a delightful homage to the classic adventure films that captivated audiences decades ago. Sandra Bullock delivers a charming and competent performance as Loretta Sage, a character reminiscent of the strong-willed heroines who graced the silver screen in bygone eras.
In the blockbuster hit “The Lost City”, movie mainstays Sandra Bullock and Channing Tatum join forces. This action-packed, side-splitting comedy centers around Loretta Sage, a reclusive romance novelist, who embarks on an exhilarating journey when she gets kidnapped by a quirky billionaire to locate a legendary treasure mentioned in her popular book series. Unwittingly thrust into the adventure, Alan – a lovable but woefully unprepared cover model – steps up to save the daring damsel-in-distress, leading to a chain of humorous mishaps and entertaining turmoil.
If the storyline of “The Lost City” seems somewhat familiar to you, it could be because this Sandra Bullock film was significantly influenced by a popular ’80s movie: “Romancing the Stone.” While the term “rip-off” might be too strong, it’s hard to ignore that the 2022 blockbuster borrowed quite a few plot points from its forerunner. Let’s delve into why “The Lost City” can be considered an unofficial remake of the action-adventure hit starring Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner.
‘The Lost City’ Is a Star-Studded Action Comedy Extravaganza
In the 2022 action-adventure comedy “The Lost City,” Sandra Bullock and Channing Tatum exhibited remarkable chemistry. Bullock plays Loretta Sage, a successful yet reclusive romance novelist who lives in seclusion but finds herself immersed in the thrilling events portrayed in her books when she’s kidnapped by billionaire Abigail Fairfax (Daniel Radcliffe) during a book tour with her attractive cover model, Alan Caprison (Tatum). The story follows Loretta as she navigates an adventure filled with excitement that mirrors the escapades of her fictional heroine Dr. Angela Lovemore and her love interest Dash McMahon.
In a fervent conviction that the ancient civilization Loretta describes in her books truly exists, the unconventional and self-absorbed Fairfax compels the author to aid him in discovering the concealed treasure from her gripping tale. Following Alan’s witnessing of Loretta’s abduction (whom he harbors secret feelings for), the model embarks on a journey to rescue the writer and demonstrate his own ability to be a real-life hero as well. During this quest, an unexpected accomplice emerges in the form of Jack Trainer, a dashing and courageous ex-Navy SEAL now working for the CIA (portrayed by Brad Pitt).
Is ‘The Lost City’ an Unofficial Remake of a Beloved ’80s Classic?
It’s often said that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, so it’s safe to assume that “Romancing the Stone” would be quite pleased with how “The Lost City” seems to have drawn inspiration from its cinematic blueprint. Released in 1984 by Robert Zemeckis, this swashbuckling gem featured screen legends Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner on an exhilarating adventure through the dense Colombian jungle. They found themselves entangled with ruthless antiquities smugglers as they hunted for a hidden treasure called “El Corazón.” The film was a resounding box office success, garnering two Golden Globes, and laid the foundation for future romantic adventures on screen.
The movie titled “The Lost City” is reminiscent of Zemeckis’s blockbuster hit, as it possesses numerous similarities to the ’80s classic and often acknowledges its influence. Similar to Loretta Sage from Romancing the Stone, the protagonist in this film, Joan Wilder, is a well-known but solitary writer yearning for excitement in her everyday life. Both characters find themselves out of their depth as they are drawn into thrilling escapades. Also, much like in each film, the kidnapping incident serves as the catalyst for their stories and compels them to seek hidden treasures buried deep within mysterious, far-flung locations.
In their daring journeys, two brave women are aided by attractive and charming companions who, while Alan Caprison may lack the sophistication, is not quite as smooth and dashing as Jack T. Colton from the movie “Romancing the Stone”. Loretta, on the other hand, proves herself to be more resourceful than Joan, drawing upon her extensive research for her gripping novels to navigate numerous perilous situations in “The Lost City”, showcasing her ability to adapt and survive under pressure.
Every movie features delightful, mismatched protagonists who eventually find themselves falling in love, features sinister, larger-than-life antagonists, a mysterious treasure hunt, and offers an appealing mix of romance and thrill. The film The Lost City appears to pay tribute to the groundbreaking Romancing the Stone by borrowing elements from it, such as naming Brad Pitt’s character Jack Trainer after the rugged and daring Jack T. Colton, played by Douglas in the original. Both leading men share a common thread of heroism while helping Loretta and Joan in their individual quests.
‘The Lost City’ Dazzles Audiences
Despite drawing inspiration from elements in “Romancing the Stone,” The Lost City forged its unique persona as Sandra Bullock’s character Loretta Sage developed into a practical and capable lead heroine who thrives amidst the turmoil and craziness that envelops her. The action-comedy debuted on March 25, 2022, and reigned at the box office, raking in $30.5 million during its premiere weekend and setting a record as the top-grossing original film during the pandemic with a global earnings of $192.9 million.
The overwhelming success of The Lost City established Bullock as “the first actress to have $100 million earners in live-action star vehicles over four different decades” and also helped breathe new life into the cinema after the pandemic completely changed the face of movie theaters and its financial trajectory. Critics and fans alike raved about the endearing screwball chemistry between Bullock and Tatum while praising its side-splitting comedy and homage to the great adventure films of Hollywood’s past. It went on to be nominated for numerous accolades like a Critics’ Choice Super Award and People’s Choice Award and remains a certified silver screen knockout. Stream The Lost City on Netflix.
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2024-11-17 05:07