Look man, I am not hating on you… really!! I still do like the totality of your work. George Michael was the most endearing kid on a sitcom in years. You made falling for your cousin into something sweet and endearing, rather than gross and creepy.
Superbad was inspired. Even if you were skirting the edge of revamping your character from Arrested. You still managed to keep me interested without being derivative… well, too much anyway. I was still willing to reserve judgment.
Diablo Cody bashing aside, I still like Juno for what it is. Overwritten, sure! But, it works in the world she has created. You were fine in it… but I think that may have had more to do with the writing than your acting. Seemed like you were hitting your stride and becoming too comfortable in you little groove. I was starting to get worried…
Your little stint on Drunken History, while not inspired, provided enough fun to wipe away some of my misgivings. However, it was not like those roles were really taxing. Silly wigs, costumes and lip syncing are not that hard to pull off. Hell, go to any elementary school talent show, and you will get an eyeful of that.
I am gonna skip right over Nick and Norah. I loathed that movie from the minute it started… I will pretend it does not exist…
I did miss Paper Heart while it was in theaters, but I plan to rectify it with my NetFlix soon enough.
Year One?!?! Really… huh… maybe… MAYBE if it is on cable late one night and I am drunk enough… maybe…
Which brings me to the focus of this little diatribe. Youth in Revolt. I have never read the book that this movie was based on. At one time, it was on my Amazon wish list. Sadly, that is no longer the case. If the book is half as contrived and ridiculous as the movie, well, I have less than zero interest in it.
Michael, why… why do you refuse to take any role that might challenge you? And don’t try to hide behind the supposed tough guy doppleganger Francois. Never have I witnessed a poorer transformation to the dark side in cinema. That is you acting dark and mysterious and tough? Hoo boy… what a sad state of affairs.
I am deflated, I am out of hope. I really really want Scott Pilgrim to be the movie that turns me around on this. I love those books fiercely. And, I am not such a ridiculous fanboy, that I can’t swallow you in the lead role. My fondest wish is that you do take a little risk and hopefully Edgar Wright will get a little more out of you than your last few directors.
Take a page from your Superbad co-star, Christopher Mintz-Plasse. He may have just played McLovin all over again in Role Models. But, from what it looks like, he may be doing something a little different in Kick Ass.
Bring me back Michael… make me believe again…