Is 'Valentine's Day' Filled With Too Many Stars?

By Jo Piazza Posted Feb 2nd 2010 03:44PM

Valentine's Day is complicated -- both the holiday and the upcoming movie. The holiday is jam-packed with commercialized schtick, sentimental love songs and half-hearted performances. Hopefully the movie (which hits theaters Feb. 12) will have a little more substance instead of leaving you feeling like you just ate that entire box full of heart-shaped chocolates: guilty, over-stimulated and still hungry for more.

'Valentine's Day' the movie stars everyone in Hollywood (not really, but pretty darned close.) At this point you have probably seen the commercials or print ads. They've been out there since before Christmas. And each time you see one you probably smack your head thinking, "I didn't know Julia Roberts (or Bradley Cooper, Jessica Alba, Taylor Swift, Ashton Kutcher, Taylor Lautner, Kathy Bates, Jessica Biel, Eric Dane, Patrick Dempsey, Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Garner, Anne Hathaway, Topher Grace, Queen Latifah or George Lopez) was going to be in that movie. It's a lot of star power packed into a single movie, begging the questions: How well we will get to know any of these characters? Is it just too much?

"I think what it will ultimately come down to is how well-written the story is, and how much time it devotes to each actor," says Andrew Scott, Moviefone editor. "And it could go one of two ways: It could turn out like 'Love Actually,' which did a great job of blending together its ensemble cast with a structured storyline, memorable characters and equal amounts of screen-time. OR it could turn out like the disastrous 'He's Just Not That Into You,' which threw famous names like Jennifer Aniston, Scarlett Johansson and Ginnifer Goodwin into situations that were awkward, embarrassing and -- in many cases -- downright offensive."

The difference between 'Love Actually' and 'He's Just Not That Into You'? British stars don't count towards the overwhelming star power factor. It would take ten Emma Thompsons to equal one Julia Roberts (Julia's niece Emma happens to be in the movie too) here in America.

"A day devoted to love can only lead to one thing: Disaster. And with all those stars, they should have just called it 'He's Just Not That Into You - After Today'," says PopWrap's Ryan Brockington.

But maybe ten minutes of Jessica Alba or Taylor Swift is better than no Jessica Alba or Taylor Swift at all? And maybe anyone with a Y chromosome won't want to see the movie. That doesn't necessarily translate to bomb.

"I don't think the star power is too overwhelming at all!" argues Corynne Steindler, senior editor at Hollywood Life. "From what I understand story is told in vignettes, so characters won't have a huge individual presence. And while I do think it's always nice to have a fresh face in a film, this is a really fun cast that ranges in age and experience -- when else will we see Julia Roberts starring with Taylor Swift?"

It doesn't hurt that that the flick has commandeered the "Unofficial Anthem of 2009", 'I Gotta Feelin' by the Black Eyed Peas for the trailers, giving it automatic warm fuzzies.

At the end of the day, this is the movie single girls are going to be seeing on that most special of annoying holidays so expect some solid box office on opening weekend. Pity the single men doling out popcorn on Feb. 14. Or not.

And check out Moviefone's alternative 'Valentine's Day' cast.

Tags: anne hathaway, Asthon Kutcher, black eyed peas, bradley cooper, Emma Roberts, george lopez, jamie foxx, jennifer garner, jessica alba, Jessica Biel, julia roberts, queen latifah, romance, taylor lautner, taylor swift, valentines day

Comments

(12)

Tuesday 02 February

By Terri

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

I think it's great to have so many stars in one movie. It's going to be very interesteing to watch.

By Debbie

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

I agree Terri. I think it's going to be fun to watch. At least we can watch a movie with the "Real" stars and not these stupid "reality" star-wanna-be's.

By carryouthere

Vote down Vote up Report this

Honey, when there are that many stars in a movie it usually fails... BAD and bombs even worse. 'Longshot' Anyone? Never heard of it? a movie with nearly every single boy band of the late 90's early 00's (Except Hanson

By shirley frederick

Yes, there are too many stars. Is this a movie or a parade of stars?

By Terri Lockhart

You people with negative additudes should not say anything, we'll just watch and see. I disagree with negative people, your just jealous that your not them. Get a life!

By JeSsY lYnN :)

"He's Just Not that Into You" was an excellent film. These guys have no idea what they are talking about.

By Sarah

I thought the same thing about "He's just not that into you" - way too many people and not enough character development. Now, "Love Actually" on the other hand was quite good.

By Mandy

Most of these stars are great actors (with the exception of Taylor Swift and perhaps George Lopez).

I think it's a good idea, but it looks like they just crammed a lot of celebrities into a movie for the sake of cramming a lot of celebrities into a movie. I'll watch it and see, but I don't know how they can fully develop each person's story with this many characters.

By Karla

I loved He's Just Not That Into You. Thought Love Actually was booooring. Can't wait to see Valentine's Day.

Wednesday 03 February

By Katie

i cannot wait to see this movie! i think all of the stars in it are amazing and there one of the reasons why i want to see this film.

Saturday 06 February

By $oLaR!a

I think the mivoe would b great with all the celebrities it has

Saturday 13 February

By ruthy

i saw it, really really really GREAT MOVIE!!!!!!!!!!! its amazing even better than 'Love Acually". i think the movie turned out wonderful wit all the stars in the movie, it was a good storyline, and the movie had so many twist and turns you'll never expect. That is a has to see movie..its really GOOD!!!!

Page 1 of 1