Absolutely Anything trailer gives Simon Pegg absolute power
If I’d first been introduced to the Absolutely Anything trailer with, “Hey, check out this sequel to The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy,” I would have believed the person doing the introducing. I actually thought this might be some book-to-blockbuster adaptation, but it turns out the upcoming Simon Pegg comedy is from the minds of the Monty Python team. The movie looks like a mix of the above-mentioned Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy and a healthy dose of Bruce Almighty, which is a mixed bag. Admittedly, after seeing the first trailer, I wasn’t impressed by the premise or apparent execution, especially considering who’s involved. You’ll have to judge for yourself.
Check out the trailer and a few posters for Absolutely Anything after the jump.
Honestly, it looks like a pretty paint-by-numbers job. We’ve seen most of this before, and the trailer makes the movie look like it tries to get by on its one-off gags and physical comedy. Come to think of it, that’s essentially the signature of Monty Python (Terry Jones, Terry Gilliam, John Cleese, Eric Idle, Michael Palin), so maybe I’m expecting a bit much. Still, “Supernatural beings give man unlimited power. Man is self-serving at first and does silly things. Man learns lesson and realizes powers are best used to help others. Humanity saved.” is pretty much the plot I saw if it were on paper. The script has apparently been in the writing phase for 20 years and is Terry Jones’ “baby,” so here’s hoping there’s more to the movie than what we see.
The official plot synopsis for Absolutely Anything doesn’t instill much confidence to the contrary:
Absolutely Anything follows a disillusioned school teacher who suddenly finds he has the ability to do anything he wishes, a challenge bestowed upon him by a group of power-crazed aliens, watching him from space.
As he struggles to deal with these new found powers and the events that subsequently arise, he calls upon his loyal canine companion Dennis to help him along the way.
Mishap after mishap finally leads him to the ultimate conundrum that all men dread and at which many have failed….should he choose the girl… or the dog… ?
Absolutely Anything stars Simon Pegg, Kate Beckinsale, Eddie Izzard, Rob Riggle, and the voices of Robin Williams, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Michael Palin, and director Terry Jones. The movies makes its way to theaters in the UK on August 14, 2015, but it doesn’t yet have a US release date.
