Studio Spotlight: Universal - Bad Neighbours 2, Billion Dollar Movies, Ride Along 2

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So Studio Spotlight returns this month - Universal have stepped into the limelight for this month's post. We will be covering Bad Neighbours 2, their record breaking Billion Dollar Movies, Ride Along 2 and more!. Expect another Studio Spotlight for Disney in the coming weeks as they definitely won August with D23.
Bad Neighbours 2
So as you will know if you have been following this blog since the beginning, Bad Neighbours was one of my favourite movies of 2014 so when a sequel was green lit soon after its release, I was very happy. Bad Neighbours 2: Sorority Rising has been confirmed for a while so why am I only covering it now? Well, a super exciting casting has been announced...Selena Gomez will star in the film. It is yet to officially be confirmed by Universal but Gomez has been spotted recording on set - we are still unaware of her role but it is likely she will be one of the sorority sisters. Gomez joins Zac Efron, Dave Franco, Seth Rogen, Rose Byrne and Chloe Grace Moretz which is looking like an incredible cast. The film will have the same director as the first which is good news for those who loved Bad Neighbours. The question on everybody's mind though is will Bad Neighbours 2 fail like Ted 2 and Horrible Bosses 2 or will it succeed?

Billion Dollar Movies
So Universal is a powerhouse this year - currently having 3 movies just from 2015 alone in the billion dollar club. First to join this year was Furious 7 which has taken in around $1.51 billion. Next was Jurassic World which is currently the third biggest movie of all time with $1.64 billion and joining just last week was Minions which has currently grossed $1.02 billion and still has China to go. Disney have still performed strong this year but with Age of Ultron, Cinderella and Ant-Man producing lower worldwide numbers than the studio would hope, others have been able to race ahead. Inside Out has performed solidly for Disney though. Not only does Universal have 3 of the biggest movies of all time in one year, they also have had some other big hits like 50 Shades of Grey, Pitch Perfect 2 and Straight Outta Compton. Maybe this time next year we will be talking similar news about Warner Bros?

Ride Along 2
Within the past month, the marketing for the film has been stepped up with both a trailer and poster being released to the public. Ride Along was one of my least favourite films of last year so it will be interesting to see how this one fairs - the original was a big hit though but many have a question mark over how the sequel will perform. I will now review the trailer:

Pros:
  • Joke at 0:55 actually made me giggle
  • Least its not the exact same story as the first (however that did work for 22 Jump Street & Pitch Perfect 2)
  • The production value seems to have been stepped up a lot 
  • The song used works quite well
  • The film still doesn't look great but doesn't seem as bad as the first
Cons:
  • Why did an awful movie need to get a sequel?
  • Seems to include just as much Kevin Hart high pitched screaming and speaking as the first
  • Seems stupid and many jokes fall flat
  • Features Ken Jeong which isn't a good sign
  • Typical sequel idea - 'next film, new location' - doesn't suggest originality
  • Could be hints or racism and sexism 
  • January release which is never a good sign
Fast & Furious: Supercharged
So Fast & Furious: Supercharged is a popular attraction at Universal Studios Hollywood, now since Furious 7 has went on to become one of the biggest movies of all time, it was only a matter of time until Universal launched the same or similar ride at their most popular location: Orlando. The ride will be replacing 'Disaster: A Major Motion Picture Starring You!' which actually features The Rock too! Here is how Attractions Magazine describes the new ride:
"Fast & Furious: Supercharged will take guests for a wild ride alongside characters and cars from the films as part of a new, original storyline. You’ll get an up-close look at some of the cars from the films in the queue as you explore the headquarters of Toretto and his team. Then you’ll board special ride vehicles for an action-packed experience. Led by film stars Vin Diesel (Dom Toretto), Dwayne Johnson (Hobbs), Michelle Rodriguez (Letty) and Tyrese Gibson (Roman), guests will feel like part of the “Fast family”"
After recently visiting Orlando,  I can tell that this will definitely balance out Universal and Islands of Adventure even more. However, is Universal Studios becoming 'simulator studios'? 

What is your favourite Universal news story? Comment your views down below!

See You Soon!

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