New at BOP: Review: Matrix Resurrections Movie Review: Moonfall Movie Reviews: Scream The #1 Movie in America November Forecast The Many Saints of Newark October Forecast New Trivia Question All site updates Share & Save   Tweet Print this column

I don't know whether Melissa McCarthy will become the superstar some think she is, but she'll get another chance. We can only hope someone will think to give her something worthy or her ability.

Max Braden: Seeing the trailer for this movie and the results makes me think of Adam Sandler. Like the results for Blended or Jack and Jill. I firmly believe that Melissa McCarthy is funnier than this and has the potential to open a movie as the sole lead with a significantly higher number. I do think it's unfortunate that this result will lead people to think the numbers for The Heat were all Sandra Bullock's doing and McCarthy was just along for the ride, which can lead to fewer opportunities for McCarthy to prove that thinking wrong. But I think she can do it - if she picks a project that is smarter than this movie.

Reagen Sulewski: While it's one thing to say, "Look how terrible this was and still hit! She's obviously still got it!" and that's true to some extent - comedy success is fleeting, and the real test will come with her next film. It had better be above reproach. Adam Sandler survived Little Nicky, but he didn't really survive Jack & Jill, other than through stunt casting. I would say that no more family favors be in order in the McCarthy household, which could make for some awkward dinner conversation. "Hey, remember that time you killed my career?"

David Mumpower: I agree with Reagen in that Tammy is unquestionably a moneymaker relative to investment. This project was clearly personal to Melissa McCarthy as her husband directed it. In just coming up with a goofy adventure comedy, McCarthy has outputted a cheap film that cashes in on her celebrity. That works once. Afterward, the goodwill that had been acquired over time fades into oblivion. The people who love McCarthy will still give her the benefit of the doubt next time. The ones who are on the fence about her but enjoyed The Heat and Bridesmaids are now thinking, “Yikes, if this movie is anything like Tammy…” St. Vincent may not pay the price for the inferior quality of Tammy, but Spy will need great trailers to counterbalance the lingering memories of the McCarthy family’s failed comedy.

Kim Hollis: I think it’s a fine opening, one we’d never have believed possible this time a year ago. And yet, there’s some veneer of disappointment around it, probably because I really do hope for more from McCarthy. It’s one thing to be able to blame a bad script or a bad director for a movie, but when it’s your movie and your husband directing, it’s a lot harder to half-heartedly praise her. I’d really like to see her stop playing the sloppy, sort of annoying fat lady and move on to other types of roles. We know she has it in her, because we saw it during her run on Gilmore Girls.

Continued:       1       2       3