MovieChat Forums > Tokarev (2014) Discussion > It's theComeback Kids!

It's theComeback Kids!

posted 11 years ago by Derek117
9 replies | jump to latest

I just heard about this movie but am excited because, if directed and marketed correctly, "Tokarev" could just be a surprise Action Movie winner on the scale of "Taken."

And just as "Taken"revived the career of Liam Neeson, "Tokarev" could be the much-needed comeback for its veteran actors.

Nic Cage's glory days of "Leaving Las Vegas", "The Rock", and "City of Angels" are in the distant past--his last hits were the "National Treasure" films in 2004 and 2007.

Danny Glover's "Lethal Weapon" and "Color Purple" days, likewise, are ancient history and the last movie he's made worth watching was Antoine Fuqua's "Shooter" with Mark Wahlberg in 2007.

The leading lady, just announced and already on location in Mobile, Alabama, is Rachel Nichols, who recently breathed new life into her career by starring in the hit Canadian sci-fi TV series, "Continuum." But Rachel hasn't had a financially successful movie since the first "G.I. Joe" in 2009. Her last movie, "Raze" is an unwatchable horror, gory-fest and is the type of movie actors spend the rest of their careers apologizing to the public for having made. (Think Paul Newman and "The Silver Chalice")

So everyone involved is long over-due, and hungry, for a comeback.

IMO, the "Tokarev" storyline is serviceable and it's up to director Paco Cabezas to deliver the goods. Which is a question mark because Paco has only directed a couple of cheap horror films, and the budget for "Tokarev" is just $20 million--which doesn't allow for expensive CGI--but a good Stunt Coordinator can deliver the action the old fashion way.

Still, it will be interesting to see how this all turns out. I can hardly wait until January 2014 for the release.

[–] meowington 11 years ago

It's been really fun watching it be filmed and seeing Nic at the pool in his off time. I was a few feet away from just as he was taking a lunch break today.

[–] Derek117 11 years ago

That sound, um, very "cool." I hear it's very hot in Mobile right now, so I'm not surprised Nic (and probably the other cast members & crew) is really sweating it out.

BTW, the original setting of the film was Washington State. Do you know if Mobile is pretending to be Spokane, or have they moved the action to the South? I know Nic can bring on a southern accent (remember "Con Air") and Danny Glover should be alright, too. But, I'm not sure about the Maine-born Rachel Nichols? Never heard her do accents.

By the way, since you're "on-the-scene" the website www.onlocationvacation.com is always interested in behind the scene location photos. Check it out. No, they don't pay, but you'd have the satisfaction of seeing a photo you took on the web. And, of course, it's always best to Ask Permission of cast & crew BEFORE snapping a photo.

Thanks, again, for your reply.

[–] meowington 11 years ago

Mobile is pretending to be Mobile, at least that's what I've read. Completely random setting for a movie but Mobile is beautiful. I know it's not the "coolest" thing in the world, but the weather was not great for the pool today so we walked down to the street to check it out.

Thanks for the site. I'll check it out. I felt weird taking a photo but I talked to the crew and they said it was ok and told me to enjoy myself.

Nic Cage's southern accent is hilarious. I think of Con Air every time I think of him being here and it makes me laugh. I don't know who the female is.

There's a quaint old movie theatre downtown that has a bar and recliners in it. It will be fun to have a little party for viewing the film when (if?) it comes out.

Btw, the scenes today were a motorcycle/Nic (mustang) chase scene. The motorcycle was going up the sidewalk by a cafe (Serda's) where extras were dining al fresco, turning off into the street and popping wheelies. Nic was filming in the Royal Street tavern, located inside the Battlehouse Hotel.

His hairpiece was the worst I've scene.

[–] Derek117 11 years ago

Yep, I totally get what you said about Nic's hair. But the sad truth is that if you want to be the Leading Man in movies today, you need hair--or a chrome dome. Otherwise, you're playing Grandpa. John Travolta has the same problem. So, enter your bad hairpiece.

It's good to hear that Mobile plays itself in the movie. However, since the main plot is about a violent war between Irish and RUSSIAN criminal gangs, I wonder if a Russian gang in Mobile is believable.

As for the female Lead, if you've seen the first "G.I.Joe" movie (in 2009) or the (awful) remake of "Conan, The Barbarian" in 2011, you've seen her. She had red hair in "Joe" and was brunette in "Conan." For "Tokarev" she has her natural blonde hair. She plays Nic's trophy wife and, in real life she's a real down-to-earth girl. And if you pass her on the street in Mobile she probably has on a dirty t-shirt & torn jeans. That's her usual off-camera uniform.

Enjoy being part of the "movie magic" in Mobile.

[–] meowington 11 years ago

Ok, I remember her in Conan.

Hahaha! Thanks. My husband is trying to figure out the Russian gang aspect here too. There is gang related activity here but you'll find them hanging around in the parts of the "famous" Mobile leprechaun tree playing dominoes, rather than drinking coffee and eating piroshki, if you know what I mean. hahaha!

I'm not sure what the filming schedule will be this week but it would be really neat to see it expand to other areas, even down Government street, where oak trees hang over and the Spanish moss dangles. Really beautiful. Cool thing about mobile---there are beads in our trees. Makes me smile every time I walk down a street downtown. I'm rambling. Just think its strange that they are filming here and wondering what they'll do and where they'll film!

Speaking of Russian gang activity in the south, check this out:

http://www.wwltv.com/news/NOPD-downplays-rumors-of-Russian-mob-connected-to-missing-teacher-195659501.html
New Orleans is an hour and a half away. Silly stuff

And this is getting some laughs too
http://www.godlikeproductions.com/forum1/message1690273/pg2

[–] tom_e_smith 11 years ago

On this show, it's the Irish (Cage) vs. Russian Mob. It's gritty, look's great, thanks to the nicest DP on the Planet & throws some crazy *beep* at the viewer. Paco is great, check out his last movie "Neon Flesh". This one is no "Neon Flash", no crazy snazzy camera work or probably editing, think early Guy Richie, this one is just harsh everything. It's been a blast working on it. People are gonna start thinking Mobile has an International gang problem...hehe

[–] CriticismHurts 10 years ago

It was a good film. It's comparable to Taken, with the over all plot of the kid being abducted and the father out for revenge. But thats the only similarity, really. The whole Irish/Russian mob thing didn't work for it though, IMO. It just didn't translate well with Cage as the lead character.

He will never be wise guy material in my eyes, and to see him try to pull it off was not only distracting but kind of felt like he was out of his league. Past that, it was a good film. Worth the watch. But it doesn't hold a candle to Taken.

7/10

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Your one opinion away from being wrong, yet again.

[–] tjc_2005 10 years ago

The whole mob element is extremely important to the storyline so I dont know what you mean by it not working.. Did you watch the same film as me?

Besides cage being in the mob was many years before so it doesn't have to "work" with his character as he was retired.

I enjoyed the film anyway.

[–] lysergic-acid 8 years ago

You don't need hair if you can pull off the shaved head look, e.g.
- Bruce Willis
- Jason Statham
- Vin Diesel