“They just don’t make movies like they used to,” I said to my mom over winter break as we watched the late 90’s classic “Can’t Hardly Wait.” From the amazing (and sometimes not-so-amazing) clothes to the wacky conundrums the characters find themselves in, most movies out of Hollywood today just don’t measure up. But boy, do they try. From remakes like “He’s All That” and “Freaky Friday” and sequels and franchise reboots like “Hocus Pocus,” “Halloween” and “Scream,” Hollywood seems intent on trying to capture what made movies of the 90’s so amazing. This is especially evident in the resurgence of the classic Rom-Com, with varying degrees of success.
Universal Pictures’ “Ticket to Paradise” starring Julia Roberts and George Clooney, previously played love interests in the “Ocean’s” franchise, tried to emulate the classic romcom through its story of two exes who band together to ambush their daughter’s whirlwind wedding. While having two iconic 90’s stars reunite provides audiences with much needed nostalgia, the rekindled romance between Roberts’ Georgia and Clooney’s David comes off as lackluster and anticlimactic, especially when compared to the romance between the characters’ daughter, Lily, and her fiance, Gade.
On the other hand, Amazon Studios’s “Shotgun Wedding” starring Jennifer Lopez and Josh Duhamel reignites the flame of the classic romcom while also kicking bad-guy butt. On the day of their wedding Lopez’s Darcy and Duhamel’s Tom have to overcome their issues as a couple before walking down the aisle – while also overthrowing the pirates who have invaded the island and taken their friends and family hostage (including incredible supporting cast members Jennifer Coolidge, Cheech Marin and Lenny Kravitz). “Shotgun Wedding” succeeds where “Ticket to Paradise” comes up short with its witty one liners, sassy characters, and a happy ending that doesn’t feel cliche.
While I don’t think Hollywood will ever stop trying to replicate the magic of films from the 90’s (with new apparent attempts such as “Your Place or Mine” which comes out on Netflix on Feb. 10), at least we can hope for a hearty shot of nostalgia and comedic relief brought by new gems such as these.