Hollywood is in the grip of a hybrid genre fever, but are the results mere low-brow nonsense?
Now, I love genre movies.
However, more often than not, they completely divide audiences.
),The Warriors Way(cowboys vs. ninjas!
),Cowboys & Aliens(cowboys vs. andMega Shark Vs Crocosaurus(erm., Mega Shark Vs Crocosaurus!)
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Now, obviously, most genres are a hybrid to some degree.
But Im talking about the extreme mash-up of genres that would not be generally put together at all.
For example, lets look at the historical epic first, shall we?
ButPathfinderandOutlanderattempted to do something different with high concept ideas.
The first,Pathfinder, was sold on the premise of Vikings vs.
Native Americans, and while it was all well and good, it ended up being a bit dull.
However, it was clearlyOutlanderthat had the more intriguing pitch: Vikings vs. aliens!
But instead the filmmakers made it a sci-fi-themed inspiration for the legend ofBeowulf.
It was complete hokum, and as youd expect, critics were lukewarm to the film.
This is an Internet-only film, but I feel its crazy enough to get a mention.
If you havent seen it, I highly recommend it.
That is not to say all hybrid genre films work.
So, what wonderful and weird hybrid genre films do we have coming in the near future?
On the films official website, the synopsis reads: AD 160.
However, the question is, are these films anything more than low brow entertainment?
Can a hybrid genre movie ever be more than simply a tag line?
More importantly, what hybrid films would you like to see?
Personally, Ive always wanted to see a medieval zombie film.
