Monday Morning Quarterback Part I

By BOP Staff

January 18, 2011

This is going to buy my wife so many new pairs of shoes!

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Kim Hollis: Do you think The Green Hornet's opening proves that Seth Rogen can be just as much an action star as Nicolas Cage?

Josh Spiegel: No, I wouldn't say that. Rogen's not a typical action star, and this is really the first movie that puts the comedy on an equal level as the action (whereas Pineapple Express is more about the comedy). If he makes two or three more action movies that are successful, then we can talk about him being a big star on both levels, but he's not there yet.

Brett Beach: Considering how incredulous I was when I first heard that Cage was doing a Bruckheimer/Bay action picture (!) as his "reward" for winning the Oscar, I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that I am having a similar reaction to seeing Rogen attempt the same thing (minus of course, the Oscar). There really aren't any kings of action films anymore, no muscle bound he-men, which basically means the field remains wide open for those who want to dip their toes into the testosterone pool. If there's room for Jason Statham, there's room for Rogen. Still not sure if I will ever be convinced, however, even if the grosses prove me wrong.




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Bruce Hall: This depends on which Nic Cage you're talking about. If you are referring to the late '90s version, I would say no contest. Put the bunny down. Cage Wins. If you are referring to the guy that remarkably few moviegoers watched shamble his way through the C-Grade schlockfest that was Season of the Witch then yes, Seth Rogen is every bit an action hero as Nic Cage.

And so is Garrett Hedlund. So is Timothy Olyphant. So are you. So am I. I'm not against the genre of action hero opening up into a sort of "everyman" thing, but if this is the best we've got right now, then pardon me if I wait with breathless anticipation for the next Vin Diesel joint.

Edwin Davies: I'd have to see him star in a straight up action film before making that judgment. Both The Green Hornet and Pineapple Express are action films that have strong comedic elements (and are both from two offbeat directors who made their name with odd, independently spirited films) so play to his strengths. If he stars in a action film that is not also a comedy that is directed by Jon Turteltaub then I'd put him in the same category of action star as Nic Cage.

Matthew Huntley: No, for pretty much the same reasons Josh and Edwin mentioned. However, that's not to say I wouldn't like to Rogen try. I think it'd be interesting and fresh for a somewhat stocky guy like Rogen to become an action star and go against the archetypal model these roles usually require. If he can pull off being a serious action star (without the aid of comedy), I'd be impressed, and I'd also consider him more of a full-fledged actor.

Max Braden: The image of "former Army Ranger" Seth Rogen running from fireballs and taking down hardened prisoners on his own in Con Air is making me laugh. Rogen did do that loco stage dive in the end of Pineapple Express and played an overly aggressive mall cop in Observe and Report, but The Green Hornet is a little bit of three-card monte: The action is all Kato and Rogen's character, in terms of action, is the straight man. Instead of an action star, I would agree that Rogen can be just as much of an adventure star as anyone. And as an adventure star he still won't have the swaggering sex appeal of James Bond, Captain Kirk, or Indiana Jones, but with the comedic touch, his action/adventure movies have plenty of potential to be big.


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