Kevin Costner was a rising young actor featuring in minor roles in the early 80s. The future superstar was on the verge of stardom by the mid-80s and was cast in two films that would become his breakout hits. First, he was cast in Roger Donaldson’s action thriller No Way Out. After finishing that film, he was approached by director Brian De Palma for the crime drama The Untouchables.
Kevin Costner and Gene Hackman in No Way Out
Costner was not a big name at the time but Paramount and De Palma seem to know the potential that he had. No Way Out had also not come out yet and the studio led with a generous $800,000 offer for the role of Eliot Ness in The Untouchables. Costner, knowing the responsibility of playing a real-life American hero bargained his way to increase his pay to $1 million.
Kevin Costner Stood...
Kevin Costner and Gene Hackman in No Way Out
Costner was not a big name at the time but Paramount and De Palma seem to know the potential that he had. No Way Out had also not come out yet and the studio led with a generous $800,000 offer for the role of Eliot Ness in The Untouchables. Costner, knowing the responsibility of playing a real-life American hero bargained his way to increase his pay to $1 million.
Kevin Costner Stood...
- 5/11/2024
- by Rahul Thokchom
- FandomWire
Being two of Hollywood’s most prominent actors, Kevin Costner and Robert De Niro once collaborated for their 1987 crime thriller The Untouchables. Among other famous faces starring in the film, there was the James Bond actor Sean Connery who appeared as Jim Malone in Brian De Palma’s film.
Kevin Costner in a still from The Untouchables (1987)
While the success of The Untouchables helped young Kevin Costner catapult his Hollywood fame and become one of the biggest stars of his era, the actor had a unique experience working with Robert De Niro. Despite being ever professional on set, Costner surprisingly struggled to work alongside De Niro. So much so that he even asked for Sean Connery’s help to sort out his issue.
Kevin Costner Struggled Working With Robert De Niro
Kevin Costner and Robert De Niro are two of the most bankable stars in Hollywood. With several critically acclaimed...
Kevin Costner in a still from The Untouchables (1987)
While the success of The Untouchables helped young Kevin Costner catapult his Hollywood fame and become one of the biggest stars of his era, the actor had a unique experience working with Robert De Niro. Despite being ever professional on set, Costner surprisingly struggled to work alongside De Niro. So much so that he even asked for Sean Connery’s help to sort out his issue.
Kevin Costner Struggled Working With Robert De Niro
Kevin Costner and Robert De Niro are two of the most bankable stars in Hollywood. With several critically acclaimed...
- 4/4/2024
- by Krittika Mukherjee
- FandomWire
Before "The Untouchables" made Kevin Costner a bankable star, the only points of reference directors and casting agents had to gauge his acting potential were two early films, the coming-of-age road trip movie "Fandango" and Lawrence Kasdan's bombastic Western "Silverado." Brian De Palma saw something in Costner's cocksure portrayal of Jake in "Silverado" and thought he might be able to add a spark and an edge to federal agent Elliot Ness.
After landing the role, Costner had the unenviable task of going up against Robert De Niro's blazing-hot energy as Al Capone. In a now-famous Hollywood story, Bob Hoskins was originally set to play Capone until De Niro accepted the part, forcing De Palma to pay 200,000 to Hoskins to not appear in the film. Costner landed 1 million for the role, which was a big gamble for a production that already had a 25 million budget. Costner's star was definitely on the rise,...
After landing the role, Costner had the unenviable task of going up against Robert De Niro's blazing-hot energy as Al Capone. In a now-famous Hollywood story, Bob Hoskins was originally set to play Capone until De Niro accepted the part, forcing De Palma to pay 200,000 to Hoskins to not appear in the film. Costner landed 1 million for the role, which was a big gamble for a production that already had a 25 million budget. Costner's star was definitely on the rise,...
- 11/2/2022
- by Drew Tinnin
- Slash Film
Sean Connery needs no introduction. His career in television and film spanned nearly 50 years and encompassed a wide range of beloved characters and projects. Known for his tall, rugged appearance, Connery got his start in theater productions, TV shows, and films throughout the 1950s, getting his first big break as Bond, James Bond, in 1962's "Dr. No," the first silver screen adaptation of the classic spy from Ian Fleming's novels. The film introduced the world to Connery's rough yet charismatic persona and was successful enough to kick off a franchise that continues today. Connery appeared as Bond in six total series installments, and his outings as the character established the paradigm that all subsequent Bond actors would follow to various degrees.
Connery's place in cinematic history would be secure even if James Bond was the only character he portrayed. However, he was a versatile actor and managed to avoid being typecast,...
Connery's place in cinematic history would be secure even if James Bond was the only character he portrayed. However, he was a versatile actor and managed to avoid being typecast,...
- 10/25/2022
- by Joe Garza
- Slash Film
This big screen, big star crowd-pleaser is a whopping entertainment yet too disjointed to satisfy as a gangster movie. It can ignore history to make its points, but what is gained by killing off the only characters we really love? Audiences didn’t feel shortchanged: Sean Connery and Robert De Niro deliver strong characterizations and Ennio Morricone’s music is ideal. Brian De Palma’s visual instincts are at full strength too; the show is marvelous to look at. It’s a real winner, at least when its not running in knee-jerk Scarface overkill mode.
The Untouchables 4K
4K Ultra HD + Digital
Paramount
1987 / Color / 2:40 widescreen / 119 min. / Street Date May 31, 2022 / Available from Amazon / 25.99
Starring: Kevin Costner, Sean Connery, Charles Martin Smith, Andy Garcia, Robert De Niro, Richard Bradford, Jack Kehoe, Brad Sullivan, Billy Drago, Patricia Clarkson, Steven Goldstein, Del Close, Clifton James.
Cinematography: Stephen H. Burum
Art Director: William A.
The Untouchables 4K
4K Ultra HD + Digital
Paramount
1987 / Color / 2:40 widescreen / 119 min. / Street Date May 31, 2022 / Available from Amazon / 25.99
Starring: Kevin Costner, Sean Connery, Charles Martin Smith, Andy Garcia, Robert De Niro, Richard Bradford, Jack Kehoe, Brad Sullivan, Billy Drago, Patricia Clarkson, Steven Goldstein, Del Close, Clifton James.
Cinematography: Stephen H. Burum
Art Director: William A.
- 6/4/2022
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Video Version of this Article Photo/Video: Sean Connery/Hollywood Insider YouTube Channel The industry was rocked by the recent passing of Hollywood great Sir Sean Connery, one of the greatest actors in the industry. He is most commonly known as the first and original James Bond, launching the wildly popular, currently seven-decade long-running franchise. He has played the character in seven movies which effectively launched him into superstardom. After retiring from Bond, he worked in various other acclaimed bodies of work before joining yet another popular franchise, Indiana Jones. He won an Oscar for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his portrayal of Jim Malone in the 1987 movie The Untouchables, which also starred Robert De Niro and Kevin Costner. Given his wildly successful career and his famously brash personality, in this piece, we will dive into the personality that was Sean Connery. Related article: Sean Connery James Bond Movies,...
- 12/6/2020
- by Mirhan Tariq
- Hollywood Insider - Substance & Meaningful Entertainment
Exclusive: Mindful that David Mamet gave me the best quote I’ve ever gotten in 30 years of trade reporting, I have been chasing him down to try to get him to answer a question on my mind. What does it feel like for a great writer of dialogue to have an actor like the late Sean Connery — who won his only Oscar with the Mamet-scripted Brian De Palma-directed drama The Untouchables — elevate the words like Connery did as the rough and tumble Irish cop Jim Malone? Or, for that matter, when Alec Baldwin and the other stellar stars turned Glengarry Glen Ross in a master class in toxic testosterone.
But when you talk to him, Mamet is like his best plays and scripts: unpredictable. That was the case back in my Daily Variety days, when I got Mamet on the phone to discuss the abrupt exit of actor Jeremy Piven...
But when you talk to him, Mamet is like his best plays and scripts: unpredictable. That was the case back in my Daily Variety days, when I got Mamet on the phone to discuss the abrupt exit of actor Jeremy Piven...
- 11/13/2020
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
Movie icon Sean Connery died late last month at the ripe old age of 90. The James Bond star was a Hollywood titan, drawing in huge audiences, working with the best directors of all time and picking up a well deserved Oscar for his performance as Jim Malone in The Untouchables. But it’s his tenure as 007 that made him a star, as he featured in seven Bond films between 1962 and 1983 and turned the character into a pop culture colossus.
In the wake of his death, we learned that Connery had been suffering from dementia in the last years of his life and that he went out peacefully in his sleep. Now, Michelle Roquebrune, who he was married to for 40 years, has revealed his last request, saying:
“We are going to bring Sean back to Scotland – that was his final wish. He wanted his ashes to be scattered in the Bahamas and also in his homeland.
In the wake of his death, we learned that Connery had been suffering from dementia in the last years of his life and that he went out peacefully in his sleep. Now, Michelle Roquebrune, who he was married to for 40 years, has revealed his last request, saying:
“We are going to bring Sean back to Scotland – that was his final wish. He wanted his ashes to be scattered in the Bahamas and also in his homeland.
- 11/12/2020
- by David James
- We Got This Covered
Throughout his career, Sean Connery was forced to battle against accusations that his acting abilities failed to match his undeniable movie star charisma. Despite featuring in a series of classics including Dr. No, From Russia with Love, Goldfinger, The Man Who Would Be King, A Bridge Too Far, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, The Hunt for Red October and The Rock among others, he constantly faced criticism for essentially playing himself in the majority of his highest profile roles.
However, Connery had a 100% success rate at the Academy Awards, picking up the trophy for Best Supporting Actor in his one and only nomination for Brian De Palma’s The Untouchables. In one of the rare times he tried to disguise his signature Scottish burr, which he admittedly failed pretty badly at given that his Irish accent is often ranked as one of the worst ever committed to film, Connery...
However, Connery had a 100% success rate at the Academy Awards, picking up the trophy for Best Supporting Actor in his one and only nomination for Brian De Palma’s The Untouchables. In one of the rare times he tried to disguise his signature Scottish burr, which he admittedly failed pretty badly at given that his Irish accent is often ranked as one of the worst ever committed to film, Connery...
- 11/11/2020
- by Scott Campbell
- We Got This Covered
Director Michael Bay’s The Rock remains a quintessential summer movie season offering. Having been released in 1996—one of the best years for action blockbusters—Bay’s classic squared off the Top 4 box office earners, just behind classics like Independence Day, Twister and Mission: Impossible. Interestingly, while the onscreen grizzled gravitas of the recently passed Sean Connery complemented its interminable onslaught of pulse-pounding action, it appears that the late, great star also contributed to the film in an existential way.
It turns out that Connery, who, of course, co-starred in The Rock alongside Nicolas Cage, played an instrumental role behind the scenes during a particularly difficult time in the film’s production, as Bay reveals in his tribute to the late legend on THR. While Bay describes his own initial nervousness as a young upstart tasked with directing the no-nonsense Scottish icon, he reveals that Connery became a key ally...
It turns out that Connery, who, of course, co-starred in The Rock alongside Nicolas Cage, played an instrumental role behind the scenes during a particularly difficult time in the film’s production, as Bay reveals in his tribute to the late legend on THR. While Bay describes his own initial nervousness as a young upstart tasked with directing the no-nonsense Scottish icon, he reveals that Connery became a key ally...
- 11/2/2020
- by Joseph Baxter
- Den of Geek
“Isn’t that just like a wop, brings a knife to a gunfight,” Sean Connery said in his Academy Award-winning his role The Untouchables in 1987. This, from a man who only brought his fists to one in real life.
In the Brian De Palma film, Connery played Officer Jim Malone, a tough old Irish cop chasing gangsters in Al Capone-era Chicago. But Connery also took on a mobster in real life as a tough young Scottish actor. In 1957, Connery was shooting the film Another Time, Another Place in London. His co-star was Lana Turner, a Hollywood sex symbol whose boyfriend was a mob enforcer who looked so much like a gangster he could have come out of central casting with his penchant for lime green suits and pistol cufflinks. Connery hadn’t yet earned his double-0 status as James Bond, but he put on a real-life performance which has become Hollywood mythology.
In the Brian De Palma film, Connery played Officer Jim Malone, a tough old Irish cop chasing gangsters in Al Capone-era Chicago. But Connery also took on a mobster in real life as a tough young Scottish actor. In 1957, Connery was shooting the film Another Time, Another Place in London. His co-star was Lana Turner, a Hollywood sex symbol whose boyfriend was a mob enforcer who looked so much like a gangster he could have come out of central casting with his penchant for lime green suits and pistol cufflinks. Connery hadn’t yet earned his double-0 status as James Bond, but he put on a real-life performance which has become Hollywood mythology.
- 11/2/2020
- by Mike Cecchini
- Den of Geek
Los Angeles, Nov 1 (Ians) Hollywood actor Kevin Costner has honoured late legendary actor Sean Connery, calling him the biggest star.
In his statement, Costner said his co-star in "The Untouchables" had an amazing career, reports variety.com.
"I, like the rest of the world, was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Sean Connery. Sean was a crafted actor who was enormously proud of his body of work, particularly his work on stage. And although he was a very no-nonsense person, he was incredibly inclusive with me professionally and personally," Costner said.
"He was the biggest star that I ever worked with and I will be forever grateful to be linked with him on film. Sean Connery was a man's man who had an amazing career," he added.
Connery passed away on Friday in his sleep. He was 90 years old. The actor won an Oscar for his role in...
In his statement, Costner said his co-star in "The Untouchables" had an amazing career, reports variety.com.
"I, like the rest of the world, was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Sean Connery. Sean was a crafted actor who was enormously proud of his body of work, particularly his work on stage. And although he was a very no-nonsense person, he was incredibly inclusive with me professionally and personally," Costner said.
"He was the biggest star that I ever worked with and I will be forever grateful to be linked with him on film. Sean Connery was a man's man who had an amazing career," he added.
Connery passed away on Friday in his sleep. He was 90 years old. The actor won an Oscar for his role in...
- 11/1/2020
- by Glamsham Editorial
- GlamSham
Kevin Costner paid tribute to Sean Connery, his co-star in “The Untouchables,” calling him “a man’s man who had an amazing career.”
Connery died on Friday in his sleep. He was 90 years old. The actor won an Oscar for his role in “The Untouchables” as beat cop Jim Malone, a mentor to Costner’s character Elliot Ness, who teaches the strait-laced American Prohibition agent about doing things “the Chicago way.” The film was a massive hit when it came out in 1987, catapulting Costner to the A-list and helping Connery prove his dramatic chops. In his statement, Costner called Connery “the biggest star that I ever worked with.”
Robert De Niro, who played Al Capone in “The Untouchables,” also honored Connery, saying, “He seemed much younger than 90; I expected – and hoped– he’d be with us much longer.”
Connery was best known for playing James Bond in seven films including such franchise favorites as “Goldfinger,...
Connery died on Friday in his sleep. He was 90 years old. The actor won an Oscar for his role in “The Untouchables” as beat cop Jim Malone, a mentor to Costner’s character Elliot Ness, who teaches the strait-laced American Prohibition agent about doing things “the Chicago way.” The film was a massive hit when it came out in 1987, catapulting Costner to the A-list and helping Connery prove his dramatic chops. In his statement, Costner called Connery “the biggest star that I ever worked with.”
Robert De Niro, who played Al Capone in “The Untouchables,” also honored Connery, saying, “He seemed much younger than 90; I expected – and hoped– he’d be with us much longer.”
Connery was best known for playing James Bond in seven films including such franchise favorites as “Goldfinger,...
- 10/31/2020
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Sorry, David Niven, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig. While you all tried your best to inhabit Hollywood’s most iconic secret agent, none of you could upstage the masculine allure and suave cool of the first man to take on the role of James Bond.
While Sean Connery, who is dead at age 90 on Saturday, went on to do a wide range of notable films after headlining seven 007 adventures starting with 1962’s “Dr. No” and and ending with 1983’s “Never Say Never Again.” From the first time he said, “The name’s Bond … James Bond,” the charismatic Scotsman would own the role.
SEEJames Bond: Every 007 movie ranked worst to best
Craig, who is about to leave the franchise once the pandemic-delayed “No Time to Die” is eventually released, shared his thoughts in a statement about his predecessor, saying “Sir Sean Connery will be remembered as Bond and much more.
While Sean Connery, who is dead at age 90 on Saturday, went on to do a wide range of notable films after headlining seven 007 adventures starting with 1962’s “Dr. No” and and ending with 1983’s “Never Say Never Again.” From the first time he said, “The name’s Bond … James Bond,” the charismatic Scotsman would own the role.
SEEJames Bond: Every 007 movie ranked worst to best
Craig, who is about to leave the franchise once the pandemic-delayed “No Time to Die” is eventually released, shared his thoughts in a statement about his predecessor, saying “Sir Sean Connery will be remembered as Bond and much more.
- 10/31/2020
- by Susan Wloszczyna
- Gold Derby
Movie icon Sean Connery, who died today at the age of 90, is famous for his roles as tough Irish cop Jim Malone in The Untouchables, which earned him an Oscar, and Indy’s wisecracking father Henry Jones in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. But above all, Connery will always be remembered as the original James Bond who helped launch the most successful movie franchise in history, headed into its seventh decade.
Connery starred in seven James Bond films, Dr No (1962), From Russia With Love (1963), Goldfinger (1964), Thunderball (1965), You Only Live Twice (1967), Diamonds Are Forever (1971) and Never Say Never Again (1983). Following the news of his passing, the 007 movie franchise’s producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli mourned Connery’s death, joined by current James Bond, Daniel Craig, former Bond Pierce Brosnan and the family of the late 007 star Roger Moore.
“He defined an era and a style,” Craig said of Connery.
Connery starred in seven James Bond films, Dr No (1962), From Russia With Love (1963), Goldfinger (1964), Thunderball (1965), You Only Live Twice (1967), Diamonds Are Forever (1971) and Never Say Never Again (1983). Following the news of his passing, the 007 movie franchise’s producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli mourned Connery’s death, joined by current James Bond, Daniel Craig, former Bond Pierce Brosnan and the family of the late 007 star Roger Moore.
“He defined an era and a style,” Craig said of Connery.
- 10/31/2020
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Sean Connery, one of the truly iconic actors of Hollywood, died overnight in the Bahamas at the age of 90. No cause of death was announced.
The Scottish actor’s career spanned five-decades in which he played a wide range of unforgettable characters, many of them iconic on their own. But he will always be known as the first, best and most recognizable actor to play the British Spy with the license to kill, James Bond. He played Agent 007 in seven movies, beginning with the first James Bond movie Dr. No in 1962.
But Connery was no mere espionage agent, and he certainly wasn’t secret. Connery starred opposite Tippi Hedren in Alfred Hitchcock’s 1964 film Marnie. He stood out in a crowded all-star cast in Murder on the Orient Express from 1974. He escaped Alcatraz in The Rock (1996), defected to the United States in The Hunt for Red October, saved the day...
The Scottish actor’s career spanned five-decades in which he played a wide range of unforgettable characters, many of them iconic on their own. But he will always be known as the first, best and most recognizable actor to play the British Spy with the license to kill, James Bond. He played Agent 007 in seven movies, beginning with the first James Bond movie Dr. No in 1962.
But Connery was no mere espionage agent, and he certainly wasn’t secret. Connery starred opposite Tippi Hedren in Alfred Hitchcock’s 1964 film Marnie. He stood out in a crowded all-star cast in Murder on the Orient Express from 1974. He escaped Alcatraz in The Rock (1996), defected to the United States in The Hunt for Red October, saved the day...
- 10/31/2020
- by Mike Cecchini
- Den of Geek
Oscar winner Sean Connery, who died today at the age of 90, started his screen career in 1954 with bit parts. His first major role was in the 1957 British gangster movie No Road Back.
Just a few years later, Connery was catapulted to global stardom as the original James Bond. Connery played the famous spy in seven films – Dr No (1962), From Russia With Love (1963), Goldfinger (1964), Thunderball (1965), You Only Live Twice (1967), Diamonds Are Forever (1971) and Never Say Never Again (1983).
Following roles in The Man Who Would Be King, Murder on the Orient Express and A Bridge Too Far, Connery was cast in The Untouchables (1987) as a tough Irish policeman Jim Malone. The film earned him an Oscar.
Connery returned to the global blockbuster arena with his role as Harrison Ford’s father in the 1989 Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.
A year later, Connery starred in the Cold War thriller The Hunt for Red October.
Just a few years later, Connery was catapulted to global stardom as the original James Bond. Connery played the famous spy in seven films – Dr No (1962), From Russia With Love (1963), Goldfinger (1964), Thunderball (1965), You Only Live Twice (1967), Diamonds Are Forever (1971) and Never Say Never Again (1983).
Following roles in The Man Who Would Be King, Murder on the Orient Express and A Bridge Too Far, Connery was cast in The Untouchables (1987) as a tough Irish policeman Jim Malone. The film earned him an Oscar.
Connery returned to the global blockbuster arena with his role as Harrison Ford’s father in the 1989 Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.
A year later, Connery starred in the Cold War thriller The Hunt for Red October.
- 10/31/2020
- by Nellie Andreeva and Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
International film star Sean Connery, who portrayed James Bond in seven different films, has died at the age of 90. His death was confirmed by his family, as reported by the BBC.
Known for his good looks and heaps of charisma, Connery spent more than 40 years on screen as one of the world’s most renowned leading men. He was known as one of the best actors to portray Ian Fleming’s superspy, Agent 007, but the actor also served up starring performances in films like The Wind and the Lion, The Man Who Would Be King, Murder on the Orient Express,...
Known for his good looks and heaps of charisma, Connery spent more than 40 years on screen as one of the world’s most renowned leading men. He was known as one of the best actors to portray Ian Fleming’s superspy, Agent 007, but the actor also served up starring performances in films like The Wind and the Lion, The Man Who Would Be King, Murder on the Orient Express,...
- 10/31/2020
- by Nick Caruso
- TVLine.com
Connery was first person to play iconic spy in film series.
Scottish actor Sean Connery, the first person to play James Bond in Eon Productions’ long-running spy series, has died. He was 90.
Connery died peacefully in his sleep in Nassau, the Bahamas, having been unwell for some time, according to his son, the British actor Jason Connery.
Connery (full name Thomas Sean Connery) played Bond in 1962’s Dr. No, going on to reprise the role in six films in the franchise: From Russia With Love, Goldfinger, Thunderball, You Only Live Twice, Diamonds Are Forever, and finally in 1983’s Never Say Never Again,...
Scottish actor Sean Connery, the first person to play James Bond in Eon Productions’ long-running spy series, has died. He was 90.
Connery died peacefully in his sleep in Nassau, the Bahamas, having been unwell for some time, according to his son, the British actor Jason Connery.
Connery (full name Thomas Sean Connery) played Bond in 1962’s Dr. No, going on to reprise the role in six films in the franchise: From Russia With Love, Goldfinger, Thunderball, You Only Live Twice, Diamonds Are Forever, and finally in 1983’s Never Say Never Again,...
- 10/31/2020
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
Miramax Films
NEW YORK -- This fifth installment in the commercially declining kiddie franchise -- those tykes are fickle in their attentions, don't you know -- is unlikely to win many new converts to the Pokemon phenomenon. But "Pokemon Heroes" is a reasonably entertaining entry that, thanks to its exotic setting and several new characters, should prove engaging for the Small Fry and not too painful for their adult chaperones. Being shown as part of the family weekend at this year's Tribeca Film Festival, it will be released theatrically May 16 via Miramax.
This edition, co-directed by Kunihiko Yuyama and Jim Malone, again finds Pokemon trainer Ash, his pet Pikachu and the rest of his gang battling -- as our current president would put it -- some evildoers, in this case a pair of sexy thieves cutely named Annie and Oakley. The nefarious duo, wearing skirts so short that if this were a live-action film would garner an R rating, are in pursuit of something called the Soul Dew, located in a city on water named Altomare that bears more than a slight resemblance to Venice. Helping Ash and Pikachu in their struggle against the pair are two new Pokemon, Latia and Latios, who possess both psychic powers and the ability to disguise themselves as humans. Unfortunately, they also sound like a pair of high-pitched seagulls; hopefully, the action figures certain to be found in a toy store near you will be blissfully silent.
After a short introduction for those parents who till now have been spared the Pokemon experience, the action kicks into high gear with an entertaining water sports contest, with the plot rolling along quickly for the 80-minute running time. Less convoluted and more streamlined than earlier entries in the series, "Pokemon Heroes" also displays decent animation quality, especially in its depiction of the exotic watery city, as well as an admirable ecological message.
NEW YORK -- This fifth installment in the commercially declining kiddie franchise -- those tykes are fickle in their attentions, don't you know -- is unlikely to win many new converts to the Pokemon phenomenon. But "Pokemon Heroes" is a reasonably entertaining entry that, thanks to its exotic setting and several new characters, should prove engaging for the Small Fry and not too painful for their adult chaperones. Being shown as part of the family weekend at this year's Tribeca Film Festival, it will be released theatrically May 16 via Miramax.
This edition, co-directed by Kunihiko Yuyama and Jim Malone, again finds Pokemon trainer Ash, his pet Pikachu and the rest of his gang battling -- as our current president would put it -- some evildoers, in this case a pair of sexy thieves cutely named Annie and Oakley. The nefarious duo, wearing skirts so short that if this were a live-action film would garner an R rating, are in pursuit of something called the Soul Dew, located in a city on water named Altomare that bears more than a slight resemblance to Venice. Helping Ash and Pikachu in their struggle against the pair are two new Pokemon, Latia and Latios, who possess both psychic powers and the ability to disguise themselves as humans. Unfortunately, they also sound like a pair of high-pitched seagulls; hopefully, the action figures certain to be found in a toy store near you will be blissfully silent.
After a short introduction for those parents who till now have been spared the Pokemon experience, the action kicks into high gear with an entertaining water sports contest, with the plot rolling along quickly for the 80-minute running time. Less convoluted and more streamlined than earlier entries in the series, "Pokemon Heroes" also displays decent animation quality, especially in its depiction of the exotic watery city, as well as an admirable ecological message.
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