The Lost City 2022 Is A Reboot of “Romancing The Stone”
When I read the storyline for 2022 “The Lost City” I immediately thought of one of my all-time favorite movies, “Romancing the Stone.” And while I wasn’t a fan of the idea straight away, one look at the cast and I knew this almost remake simply couldn’t be all that bad. The very funny and rewatchable modernization dropped on Netflix in 2023 in Australia. In the USA, it’s available on various platforms.
The Lost City cast Sandra Bullock as its mousy novelist. Brad Pitt appears as Jack Trainer, an obvious homage to the original classic part played by Michael Douglas’s Jack Colton. He shows up as a cameo that is every bit as unexpected as his role in the film. Then there’s Channing Tatum as romance writer Loretta Sage’s cover model Alan who encaptures the essence of the heroic rescuer with more to offer than his external shell. So the big question is, does The Lost City do Romancing the Stone justice?
There are moments of clarity in directorial duo Adam and Aaron Nee’s The Lost City. Unfortunately, most of the high points in the movie come from recognizing key points in the original Romancing the Stone narrative. Leeches instead of a giant python, a cargo plane instead of a dusty old bus full of chickens. There is more than a handful of common aesthetics; like the red peasant dress instead of a white one while Loretta and Alan dance in the small village they take refuge in. Those who aren’t as familiar with the original as I might be (as I’ve seen it more than a dozen times) won’t notice these iconic plot points.
The Lost City Movie
No matter what, the whole premise is the bee’s knees. Turning a fictional romance novel into an action-adventure quest is still cool. And it all still works even if some of the more niche core elements are changed. The reboots that make the most sense are those that can conceptualize the original idea and add something meaningful to it. The Lost City movie does that. Even if it’s not as good. It’s silly to think that all cinephiles in newer generations are going to relate to movies that aren’t shiny and new. I did like seeing Bullocks’ character getting around in the jungle in a red sequined jumpsuit though. What I can take solace in, is that the film from the 80s that I adore so much is being reimagined in more localized times.
Cinematography is not as exciting as I thought it would be. There are a lot of missed opportunities given the location and terrain that could have served the audience better than so many comedic moments. The atmosphere is a little lackluster as well. Somehow the romantic air between Bullock and Channing just isn’t there. When Kathleen Turner and Michael Douglas were in similar roles for Romancing the Stone, their on-screen chemistry smacked you in the face. In The Lost City, even at the end of the film when they finally kiss, it’s less than convincing. It’s a shame Pitt’s cameo was so short-lived because having a competitive bromantic duel would have added something different and cool to the journey.
Is “The Lost City 2022” Better Than Romancing the Stone?
Overall, The Lost City is worthy of a repeat watch, but I’d still rather watch Romancing the Stone for the umpteenth time. Oh, did I mention Daniel Radcliffe was in it?
The Lost City is rated
3.5 thank god they didn’t find a jar of pickles out of 5
Romancing The Stone Remake Movie Trailer
