Empire Big Screen Review - UK's Answer To Comic Con!
Boasting that it would be ‘The Glastonbury of Film’, the people at Empire raised a high bar for this brand new event extravaganza that took place at the O2 arena this past weekend.
Boasting that it would be The Glastonbury of Film, the people at Empire raised a high bar for this brand new event extravaganza that took place at the O2 arena this past weekend. But kicking off on Thursday evening with the European Premiere of Cowboys and Aliens with bona-fide A-list stars Harrison Ford and Daniel Craig two men who have fronted two of the biggest franchises in film history and one of the sexiest women in the world Olivia Wilde (and co-star of the film) walking the red carpet beforehand did much to back their claim. If there are rock stars of the film world these are surely among them. Sadly the film itself was a boring, high-concept mash-up that falls flat like an 1890s carouser and never manages to get back to its feet. It was at this point that I wondered whether this would be a bad omen for the weekend, much like a Glastonburygoer gets that sinking feeling at the sight of dark clouds on the horizon. 
Friday saw the start of the actual festival. Empire took over the entire Cineworld all 9 screens plus The Sky Superscreen - the largest screen in Europe (not including IMAX screens) as well as The Indigo room, which holds over 2000 people. These two mammoth theatres hosted the studio presentations throughout the weekend, with 20th Century Fox leading the way with their presentation of the eagerly anticipated Star Wars Blu-Ray collection. And while one couldnt question the superior picture and sound quality, which look incredible, there were grumblings from the purists and guardians of The trilogy that further touching up had been implemented and disapproval at the presence of young Anakin Skywalker on the box. I joined them on the latter. Indeed the whole of Big Screen had a Star Wars theme; in addition to having storm troopers and imperial guards patrolling the O2, ILM gave a master class on visual effects and there was the chance to learn how to be a Jedi in the Padwan training school. Classic film screenings on Friday included Kevin Smiths Clerks, Coppolas labour of love Apocalypse Now, Sin City and in preparation for the remake, the Blu-Ray version of the 1982 Conan: The Barbarian was shown and audiences saw the rippling muscles of Arnie in the film that launched his acting career. And there was no let-up of the classics throughout the weekend. The first three Scream movies were played back to back, and the 20th anniversary Blu-Ray edition of Boys n The Hood gave me the opportunity to see John Singletons awe inspiring debut feature on the big screen (he was 21 when he directed it). Sadly Mr. Singleton was not there to introduce it, neither was anyone from the Scream series, which was a huge shame. Arguably the most coveted feature of the weekend was the secret screenings, one of which took place on each day of the event. On Friday, Tom Hardys MMA drama Warrior was the film that crowds waited with bated breath to see, while Sunday saw Sam Worthington thriller The Debt screened for the first time in the UK. The real surprise was Saturdays showing of the new Ryan Gosling film, Drive, which word spread like wild fire and tickets were being touted for far more than the £10 fee. Cannes best director winner Nicholas Winding Refn introduced his latest film and regaled us with the story of how he was persuaded by Ryan Gosling to take the project over a dinner where the director was suffering from the worst flu of his life. Sadly I saw none of them as they were all almost totally sold out and only those lucky few opportunistic members of the press got in. 
On Saturday morning E1 exposed us to extended clips from the new Twilight that showed Bella and Edward preparing to have sex for the first time. It looks like this latest director has continued to tell Kristen Stewart to act as if she has a huge stomach ulcer that has gone septic and is about to explode, as she grimaces after uttering each syllable. Guy Ritchie was up bright and early to introduce the latest trailer for Sherlock Holmes for Warner Bros. and the big names from behind the camera kept on coming with Roland Emmerich introducing extended footage from his upcoming Anonymous movie that questions whether Shakespeare actually wrote his greatest plays. James Watkins presented footage from Daniel Radcliffes first big post-Potter feature Hammer Horrors remake of The Woman in Black, which looks genuinely chilling. And the always charming Mark Strong joined director Eran Creevy to talk about his much anticipated second feature Welcome to the Punch which sounds like Heat set in London. But the highlight of Saturday evening was Kick Ass introduced by special guest Chloe Moretz, who waxed lyrical about the film that has made her character Hit-Girl a cult character. Between screenings I spent my time on Hollywood Boulevard a special area dedicated to movie sets, props and vehicles from then and now including Cars 2, Men In Black 3, Cowboys and Aliens, The Dark Knight Rises, Sherlock Homes 2 and Happy Feet 2 and a Stars Wars exhibition where fans could get their photos taken in the set from Leias ship from A New Hope. Sipping on a vanilla coke and munching on pretzel flavour M&Ms I marvelled at a whole host of props and costumes from some of the biggest films ever produced in Britain including Batman Begins, Alien and many more all provided by The London Film Museum. And I did my best not to drool over the Bond cars. Sunday morning saw Paramount and Lionsgate presenting their forthcoming releases. Of all the studios it was Paramount who wowed me most. The VT from Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson that shared the history of their relationship combined with extended footage finally has me excited about The Adventures of TinTin. Paranormal Activity 3 made us jump out of our seats before a five minute chase/ dance off sequence between Puss in Boots and his female counterpart (voiced by Salma Hayek) had us in hysterics. I took back all my criticism at what I thought was going to be another spin off to milk an already parched cash cow that was the Shrek franchise. Then I was reduced to tears for the first time by a trailer: Like Crazy has already won The Sundance Grand Jury Prize for best film and is now top of my lists for both film I most want to see and film I least want to see. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-ZV-bwZmBw So to brighten my spirits I went to the Animal Stars of the Movies exhibit where all the worries in my world were banished by the squirrel from Charlie and the Chlorate Factory who could shell nuts on demand, a Doberman from the new Scorsese film Hugo who could bark and pounce on instruction and the snow owl and the fluffiest ginger cat I have ever seen (and touched) who star in The Harry Potter films, and in my opinion steal the show every time. I did indeed exert the power of the press badge to get to play with the animals afterwards. And had no shame in doing so. And there was lots more going on across the 9 screens of the O2. There were master classes on how to become a film journalist, a screenwriter, an animator and how to create a TV show. Plus the much anticipated Warner Bros Harry Potter tour was unveiled by Warwick Davies, who happily engaged with fans on everything from Potter, to Star Wars to Willow and his upcoming comedy show with Ricky Gervais. I chose to miss this to meet the Muppets, who sadly made an appearcnce via VT from Los Angles, and even more disappointing it was only Kermit and Miss. Piggy who bothered to put in the effort. Those Muppets have gotten lazy. The event culminated in a frenetic Sunday evening, full of special guests. Terry Gilliam wowed the Indigo room with stories of his time with Python and then his eventful to say the least career as one of the most revered directors in Hollywood. Meanwhile over in cinema 9, Nicholas Roeg introduced his classic Dont Look Now. The greatest shame was you could only attend one of the great directors talks. 
In the Super screen the new Conan, Jason Momoa, introduced you guessed it, the new Conan: The Barbarian movie. David Tenant then took to the stage to introduce the UK Premiere of Fright Night where he plays a vampire expert. This was the film chosen to close an event that was opened by Indiana Jones and James Bond and closed by Doctor Who. In summation, Empires inaugural Big Screen was an admirable effort to bring the worlds of Comic Con, the international film festival and mainstream film audience together. Empire followed through with their promises to have the biggest studios presenting extended footage of the best of their catalogue of upcoming films as well as having those involved with the movies present to introduce or discuss them. Advanced screenings of upcoming movies allowed audiences to see films before the general public, classic screenings offered us a chance to see the very best films of yesteryear on the big screen and the exhibits and demonstrations were all deeply informative and wonderfully entertaining. That said, if they truly want to be equated with an event like Glastonbury, they have to follow through with the talent. Aside from messrs Ford and Craig on the opening night, the genuine A-listers were in short supply. Pre-recorded video messages and video links are not enough; regardless of the calibre of people on them, the lack of physical presence at the event diminishes the spectacle. Although there were many recognised members of the industry present, the vast majority of them were from behind the camera and British. And while I personally was very satisfied to see them, and while many British stars are helming the big blockbusters on both sides of the camera at the moment, one has to acknowledge that American talent still carries that certain unique cache, which Big Screen purports to embrace. Despite this shortcoming, for me personally it was a hugely entertaining weekend. I hope and have faith that Big Screen will be back again next year and for many years to come, and will continue to get bigger and better!