Cameron Crowe‘s latest film, ALOHA, has not exactly been winning over the critics. Our very own JimmyO was pretty lukewarm on the film (you can read his review here) and audiences as a whole seem to be heading to SAN ANDREAS this weekend rather than Hawaii. Still, Sony is hoping they can still garner some buzz for the picture that stars Bradley Cooper, Emma Stone, Rachel McAdams, Bill Murray, Alec Baldwin, John Krasinski, and Danny McBride. To do so they have released the first eight minutes of the movie online.
After sitting through the opening scenes, I can say this definitely feels like a Cameron Crowe movie. You have the voice over narration, the eclectic soundtrack selections, and the feeling that these characters are more than just actors spouting dialogue. That being said, ALOHA also seems kind of dull. Bradley Cooper, so full of emotion in AMERICAN SNIPER, SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK, and even GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY, here feels a bit sterile and numb to what should be a more vivacious and vibrant movie.
In the end, ALOHA probably isn’t the typical summer movie and Sony knew that when they set it to be released right after Memorial Day. Not strong enough to be an awards contender and not big enough for blockbuster status, this could be another Crowe project to fade away pretty quickly. Hopefully he returns to his classic form with whatever comes next.
ALOHA is now playing.