Chapter 879 A Qualified Popcorn Thriller

Beaches, surfing, bikinis and great white sharks are the most attractive elements of the premiere poster of The Shallows.

A huge poster hung from the roof of the Chief Rock Theater, covering all the walls above the main entrance.

Hundreds of young girls gathered on both sides of the long red carpet, holding up posters of Blake Lively with various slogans on them.

"Women are independent and strong!"

"Women help each other!"

"Girls help girls!"

The role of Blake Lively, the gossip queen, in this film was packaged as an independent woman by publicity and marketing.

When Blake Lively walked on the red carpet, the girls screamed one after another.

She came to the girls excitedly and signed for them.

Strictly speaking, Blake Lively has been in the industry for ten years, and this is the first time she has played the absolute heroine in a movie.

The premiere was not large in scale, and basically no guests were invited except the main creative staff of the crew.

Martin was the last to appear, walked the long red carpet, drank Coke with the members of the Coke Cult, and entered the media area.

The main creative staff of the crew are all here.

Everyone came to the sponsor's background board to take a group photo.

Blake Lively was in a very good mood, and one hand was always on Martin's arm.

After the group photo, the host kept Martin and Blake Lively.

Next, there was a short interview.

The host asked Martin: "It is said that you decided to let Blake play the leading role before the film was launched?"

"To be precise, it was because of Blake that the project of "The Shallows" came about." Martin knows how to create topics: "When preparing for "John Wick 3", Blake once talked to me about her practice of swimming and surfing. I think surfing is a good subject, so I imagined how to make a movie about Blake surfing. It happened that she was scared by "Jaws" the day before, so there was the initial idea of ​​"The Shallows."

He looked at Blake and praised: "Blake She is the only heroine. If she hadn't starred in the film, there would be no movie. During the filming, the crew witnessed Blake's perseverance. She is strong and smart. "

The host turned to Blake Lively: "On social media, your fans are following this film. Do you have anything to say to them?"

Blake smiled and said: "Sharks can attack at any time. Be vigilant and stay focused!"

The host cooperated: "Next, we will see how you fight sharks."

After the short interview, Martin and Blake entered the theater together.

Bruce followed from behind, handed the phone to Martin, and whispered: "Robert just sent a message."

Martin stopped, opened his phone and looked at it, and said to Blake: "I'll make a call."

Blake nodded slightly: "I'll go in first and wait for you in the screening room."

Martin dialed Robert's number, waited for the call to be connected, and said: "It's me, are you ready?"

Robert, the high priest of the Coca-Cola Cult, said: "I changed the ceremony a little bit, it should be fine."

Martin wanted peace of mind: "Okay, do it according to your ideas, this is what you are best at."

The other side responded: "Okay, I'll start now."

Atlanta, Peachtree Street.

At the headquarters of the Coca-Cola Cult, Robert shook his bald head and posted the poster of "The Shallows" mailed by Martin on the wall behind the altar.

This is Martin's first film as a director, and there is one more step than the previous ceremony.

Robert actually didn't know the specific effect.

Just like when Martin got his first major role, the glass bottle of Coca-Cola he touched played a key role.

But Martin said, he would do it.

Robert knew very well that one of the great values ​​of his existence was to make Martin feel at ease.

He took out a glass bottle of Coca-Cola produced in 2003, smeared it with the corresponding olive oil, and placed it on the wooden table altar in front of the poster, whispering: "Box office hit! Box office hit..."

In Los Angeles, Martin put away his mobile phone and inexplicably gained some confidence in the film.

Bruce said: "Why do you feel that Robert is the key to your success?"

Martin chuckled and said: "Your feeling is right. Without Robert's performance back then, I would definitely have to take a lot of detours."

The two came to the side corridor, joined the crew, and entered the screening room together.

Amid the warm applause, Martin waved to the back and sat in the first row.

Behind him, Allen Horn came over to say hello.

Martin noticed that Robert Iger was sitting next to him and said, "Bob, you're here too?"

"This is your directorial debut." Robert Iger smiled and said, "I can't miss the opportunity to witness history."

Martin smiled and said, "You're exaggerating."

Robert Iger has a very high EQ: "No, I always think that you will become the new generation of Clint Eastwood, and you even have advantages that Eastwood didn't have back then."

"Thank you for your words, I hope this film will be successful." Martin is self-aware. Clint Eastwood has directed nearly 30 films. Not to mention directors who are actors, even professional directors in Hollywood can't compare.

One of the reasons why the old cowboy can be stubborn is that he is really capable.

The movie is about to start, Martin said a few words and turned back.

Blake Lively came over: "I forgot to ask, what is your estimate for this film?"

Davis Studio and Disney Pictures have both made market outlooks for the preview and pre-sale of the film, and the conclusions drawn by both sides are similar.

"The pre-sale box office of the film is close to 10 million US dollars." Martin said simply: "The first weekend in North America is estimated to be more than 20 million US dollars. It is not easy to say in the end, because most of the fans who paid for the first week are fans of you and me."

Blake understood: "The box office trend in the future will depend on word of mouth?"

Martin said: "Audience word of mouth is very important."

Just in the second row behind them, Robert Iger and Alan Hawking were also whispering.

The topic they discussed was naturally Martin's debut as a director.

"I suggest adding a condition to the cooperation between Disney Pictures and Martin." Alan Horn whispered: "Sign a director distribution contract with him."

As the CEO of a large company, Robert Iger naturally considered the actual business: "Wait a little and see how the market responds to this film."

Alan Horn certainly would not object and responded: "Okay."

In Robert Iger's eyes, no matter how many experienced helpers Martin found, he himself as a director cannot be ignored. Martin has money and resources, and can effectively integrate these into a box office hit film. This is a kind of ability.

This is a one-man show. From the beginning to the end, 99% of the scenes are in the bay.

There are no more than ten human characters, most of whom are only a few appearances, and the targets of the great white shark's revenge.

This is a story of beauty and the beast. There is no male protagonist in the film, only the female protagonist and the shark's desperate game.

Blake Lively appeared in a bikini throughout the film. She has a hot and charming figure, courage and strategy. After being seriously injured, she insisted on dealing with the ferocious shark for two days, and successfully killed the shark and completed her self-rescue.

This is also in line with the main theme of the current film market. Princesses and fairies no longer passively wait for princes to rescue, but will take the initiative to save themselves.

In the past, Blake Lively was just a pure vase, and the roles she played were all the same.

Although there is also the suspicion of a vase in this film, her performance has improved a lot compared with the past. The horror, despair, bravery and determination are all performed quite realistically, making people follow her fate from beginning to end, terrified.

It is no exaggeration to say that Martin helped her complete a qualitative leap in acting.

When the subtitles fell, Robert Iger whispered: "The film is well-made, not the kind of shoddy plasma film. Every shot, every special effect, and every soundtrack are very attentive."

Alan Horn said: "This film cost $25 million to produce. Bob, you see, from the sea water to the shark to the wound, every time is extremely realistic. Martin spent the money where it should be spent."

Robert Iger nodded: "This is rare for a new director."

A director like Martin who holds power and can control the budget himself is actually very scary.

Most people sitting in the director's position will become a jerk who lets himself go. There is no one above their heads, and the money is spent inexplicably, which can drive investors crazy.

If you ignore the success after the release, James Cameron is a typical example.

And the Wachowskis don't know if they are brothers or sisters. The investment in each work is terrifying, and the things shot are inexplicable.

Applause broke out, and many audience members stood up and applauded.

Some of them just applauded politely.

This film is very interesting, but it is nonsense to say how amazing it is.

The film is not out of control and the quality is above the basic level. It can still make people feel a little surprised after watching it, which is already very good.

In the eyes of movie fans, this is a quality fresh sea monster thriller.

Amid the applause, Martin stood up and hugged Louise on the left first: "Thank you, without you there would be no such film."

Louise encouraged: "You did a great job."

With average talent, Martin really worked very hard to achieve this.

Of course, his ability to make money cannot be ignored.

Martin hugged Blake again: "Thank you."

Blake patted his back with his backhand.

Martin let go of Blake, hugged Robert Eggers, Joel Negron and other main creative staff, and thanked them sincerely.

The crew is a team, and movies have always been the product of teamwork. For a new director like him, without these experienced hands, there would be no "The Shallows".

Martin waved and led the main creative team of the crew to the stage to bow to the audience.

The warm applause lasted for a long time.

But the success or failure of a movie has little to do with the applause at the premiere.

It depends on the audience's reputation after the screening.

After the premiere, the staff of Disney Pictures had already taken action, quickly collecting the questionnaires distributed to fans at the entrance, and counting the relevant post-screening feedback.

Martin received relevant feedback data before leaving the Chief Rock Theater.

Louise asked, "How is the word-of-mouth from the scene?"

Martin put away his phone and said, "The overall word-of-mouth from fans is A-."

"It's OK." Louise told the truth, "It's better than the outside world expected."

Martin said, "You don't expect much from me."

Louise made a circle gesture, "This aspect is very high, and the directing is average."

Martin went out and saw Bruce driving over, and said, "I'm going home. No matter how much you say, I won't go with you."

Louise shook her head, got into her Rolls-Royce, turned on her phone, and checked the relevant comments on social media.

Most of the comments on the film are positive.

"Martin's debut is unexpectedly brilliant. He did not simply use plasma to stimulate the audience's adrenaline, but designed it more delicately, giving the audience a strong sense of visual pressure and creating a tense and thrilling atmosphere."

"I really didn't expect that Martin's control of his directorial debut was so good. The Shallows is the sexiest thriller escape movie in recent years."

"Blake Lively is great. Have you noticed that she has a strange feeling with sharks: come up if you dare VS come down if you dare!"

But there are also negative reviews.

"Martin Davis is more suitable to be an actor. His directing talent is average. This movie is so simple that it can't be called a movie."

"Blake Lively's figure is so good that it's a crime, but Martin's routine of a beautiful woman tearing a great white shark apart is too old-fashioned."

"Did Martin and Blake Lively take an advertisement for a big brand of swimwear? The whole movie is shot like an advertisement."

Louise checked on her phone. As more fans saw the movie, the IMDB score dropped to 7.8.

But overall, The Shallows still maintains a good reputation among the audience.

Compared with IMDB, the reputation of film critics is better. One day after the premiere, the freshness of Rotten Tomatoes still remained at 80%.

There were constant praises such as "breathtaking, explosive acting" and "extremely sensory impact".

The comments of Kenneth Turan, a film critic of the Los Angeles Times, are very representative.

"Martin Davis' directorial debut is not a classic horror film that can be savored for a long time, but it is definitely a qualified popcorn movie."

Todd McCarthy, who was not optimistic about Martin in his column before, also changed his opinion in the latest Hollywood Reporter.

"Martin's film is very cliché, not a stunning work, but he knows how to create tension in this type of subject matter, showing the suspenseful and tense atmosphere through multi-layered shots, making the film very well made, making the whole film both beautiful and terrifying, and often with unexpected scares."

At the end of the column, he wrote emphatically: "It has to be admitted that Martin Davis has injected fresh energy and life into the nearly extinct shark-themed movies, which has not only revived the original thrilling highlights, but also pointed out a new direction for this subject matter."