10 Annoying Flaws That Stop Great Directors Being Perfect

Todd Phillips is a fascinating filmmaker - his gradual transition away from gross-out comedies into more mature films have been a slow burn, but I got to say it's working. Movie directors that change genres are great because they show their diverse approach to moviemaking, and even in Phillips' later comedies, there are darkly tones within the finished product.

But herein lies a problem with Todd Phillips - he's packaged and repurposed very recognisable movies. Admittedly, recycling ideas is pretty much the nature of Hollywood these days, but Phillips' approach is so blatant it's hard to tell if in some way it's all one big practical joke.

The first two Hangover movies were a less whimsical version of Dude, Where's My Car? The film Due Date was a twenty-first century remake of Planes, Trains and Automobiles, and let's not forget last year's Joker, borrowed extensively from Martin Scorsese's King of Comedy and Taxi Driver.

It's clear Phillips is a good director, but what knocks him down is his blatant mirroring of existing films. With him behind the wheel of a Hulk Hogan biopic, I can't help but think he'll play fast and loose with the truth so he can imitate an already existing Hollywood classic.