The first trailer for R.I.P.D. arrives amid a flurry of headlines marking the inevitable comparisons to Men In Black. With Jeff Bridges channeling Tommy Lee Jones’ old gruffer, and Ryan Reynolds as the Will Smith newbie, it’s no wonder reactions have been reserved.
R.I.P.D. finds Reynolds’ recently deceased cop thrust into an afterlife where he still has to go to work for the Rest In Peace Department. Hunting down ghouls and zombies unleashing unholy hell on Earth? Sounds like the shagbaby of Men In Black meets Life On Mars! Teaming up with Bridges’ old timer, the duo form the basis for a supernatural buddy cop romp with a gamut of CGI nasties to defeat.
Based on a successful comic book, from the trailer, R.I.P.D. seems to be following where films such as MIB have gone before, but not without adding a few subtle changes. The humour hinges less upon slapstick obviousness as the two leads yelp out dialogue with sarcasm and wit, with Bridges having the cream of the crop as he explains to Reynolds how their physical appearances back on Earth now peg them as a small Chinese guy and a smokin’ hot blonde.
Mary Louise Parker makes a lengthy appearance in this first trailer too, contributing her own style of deadpan comedy which elevates the trailer from a recycle of previous genre films.
With trailers as of late either giving away the plot in its entirety or misguiding the audience as to the tone, there’s a chance R.I.P.D. can be more than an MIB ripoff and bust out as an unexpected summer blockbuster hit. With two likeable leads in Bridges and Reynolds it’ll be worth a watch either way.
R.I.P.D. hits theaters on July 19th.
What do you think to this first trailer for R.I.P.D.? More than just a Men In Black replica? Have your say in the comments below.