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CNN Saturday Morning News
Reviews of 'Bloodwork,' 'XXX,' 'Spy Kids 2'
Aired August 10, 2002 - 08:54 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: It's a big weekend at the big screen and if you're in the market for a good movie, we've got a few tips for you. Our Paul Clinton is here with a preview of three films that open this weekend.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Victims five and six. Code killer strikes again.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Agent McCaleb, why does the killer single you out? Why has he focused on you?
PAUL CLINTON, CNN.COM FILM REVIEWER (voice-over): Crafted to fit clew like a glove, the new film "Bloodwork" has the style and feel of a cop drama for the 1970s. Produced and directed by Eastwood, this movie has a brilliant concept. Eastwood plays Terry McCaleb, an FBI profiler who is hot on the heels of a serial killer when he's forced to retire after receiving a heart transplant. But fate and the killer won't let him go.
CLINT EASTWOOD: I'm on this case. I'm in this thing for the full ride.
CLINTON: Solving the case could jeopardize his life, but it also means finding the man who killed the woman who gave him her heart. Unfortunately, the usually brilliant Anjelica Huston is miscast as a heart surgeon and Paul Rodriguez, who plays a local cop who despises McCaleb, just cannot act period. Every time he's on screen, the movie goes flat.
But die hard Eastwood fans may enjoy the ride despite the casting and some huge gaping holes in credibility.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't know who you think you're playing with. I don't play this game.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Shut him up.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I've got a part to do.
CLINTON: Move over James Bond, Vin Diesel is in town. The job description for a secret agent has just been revised. Featuring 80 stunt men, nine of whom were just for Diesel, "XXX" rocks from the very first frame to the closing credits. Until now, the job of action hero has been up for grabs in Hollywood. Stallone, Willis and Schwarzenegger, despite the upcoming "Terminator 3," are all getting a bit long in the tooth to pull off the stunts.
The only other contender is The Rock. But, up against Diesel, he becomes an automatic also-ran.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I want you to meet some people and find out whatever you can about them.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What type of people?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Dirty, dangerous, your kind of people.
CLINTON: "XXX" isn't just a movie, it's an amusement park ride. And this film practically screams franchise. Trust me, "XXX 2" is on its way.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WHITFIELD: So is Van Diesel the James Bond of the new millennium? I have a feeling Paul Clinton liked him. You're giving thumbs up to "XXX" if you're already seeing a sequel.
CLINTON: Yes, well, there's definitely a sequel in the works. There's a sequel in the works for every movie this guy has ever done. The critics are pretty divided on this. It's about 50-50. A lot of people just don't like this movie at all. Elvis Mitchell (ph) from the "New York Times" despised it. I kind of liked it. I mean it is what it is. It's just a fun, pyrotechnic, you know, fun filled ride. And it is what it is. And I had a good time.
WHITFIELD: All right, well, you were a little cold-blooded about "Bloodwork" and the bad acting next to Clint Eastwood. But when you've got a Van Diesel up against an actor's actor such as Sam Jackson, how does he measure up? I'm talking about Van Diesel. How does he measure up with a Sam Jackson?
CLINTON: Right. Not bad.
WHITFIELD: Really?
CLINTON: I mean, again, he is not a bad actor, within the concept of what he's doing. I mean, he's a lot better than The Rock, who is the other action hero wannabe at this point in time.
WHITFIELD: Right.
CLINTON: He's very natural on camera and he's very himself. He's a big, he can be a big cuddly bear and then he can be intimidating as you can possibly imagine. So he has a little bit of everything. He can scare you to death and he can also make you laugh.
WHITFIELD: OK, and now one of the other costars, Asia Argento, I'm not familiar with her but is this, so is this a debut or have we seen her in other things?
CLINTON: No, she was in -- no, she's been in a few movies before. She's an Italian actress. Her father is a director over in Italy and quite well known. And she's appeared in numerous films over there in Europe and she's been in a few movies over here. But this is her big breakout role. And she's quite good.
The thing about this, one thing about this movie, like I said, there were like 80 stunt people, nine of which just assigned to Van Diesel. And unfortunately one of the stunt people died in this movie and the movie is dedicated to him. His name was Harry O'Connor and he died in Czechoslovakia while doing a paragliding stunt no the river in Prague. And, you know, no movie is worth dying for. It's very sad that this, that it happened.
But if you want to see the best movie that this guy has done so far, go out and rent "Pitch Black."
WHITFIELD: Oh, really?
CLINTON: It's a sci-fi space thriller and it's really good. That's a movie he's done.
WHITFIELD: You like that movie?
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: Yes.
WHITFIELD: Oh, Anderson's seen that. Oh, OK.
COOPER: Yes. Is there going to be a "Pitch Black 2?" I heard that was -- because that cost nothing to make.
CLINTON: Yes, they're working on a "Pitch Black 2," Cooper, yes, they are, and they're also -- everything he's done they're working on 2, 3 and 4 already. He's the next $20 million man. You know, take it or leave it, like him or not, he is here to stay, I think.
WHITFIELD: All right, so there's something for everybody out there. I guess the Gen Xers and guys will really like this "XXX." I even want to see it myself, though. Now, how about "Spy Kids 2?" I mean that is something that, you know, parents want to take their kids to. But you didn't sound like you were much of a fan of it.
CLINTON: Well, I went to see it yesterday with actual civilians, with real people and a bunch of kids in the audience. And they were eating it up with a spoon. They really liked it. I thought it was fine. But if you're over seven years old, there's not a whole lot here for you.
But it's a fun little movie and full of gadgets, full of, you know, all kinds of special effects type stuff. And what I find so impressive about Rodriguez is that he's a one man band. I mean he, this is a Rodriguez film. He did the music. He did production design. He directed. He did the photography. He wrote, edited and directed the thing. The only thing he didn't do was star in it.
WHITFIELD: Well, you know, the tough thing about kids' films, though, you know, it really is geared for the kids and a lot of adults, you know, parents who are taking their kids along feel like they're not getting a kick out of it, but the kids are. And this just might be the case.
CLINTON: Yes, well, that's where the enjoyment comes, just sitting there watching your child enjoy it. I mean there are a few movies, like "Shrek," that crosses that line. It's entertaining for adults and for kids. But this is a pure kid film and it's quite well done. And I think kids will like it. But, again, under seven.
WHITFIELD: All right, lots to choose from.
Paul Clinton, thanks a lot. Appreciate it. Good to see you.
CLINTON: Thank you.
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