Mike Myers: The Bomb or Just Bombing?by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger 26 Jun 2008 12:02 PM What's up with Mike Myers? Have you seen the papers recently? The media has unleashed a litany of negative articles on the actor with headlines ranging from "Mike Myers: Cooked or Just Simmering?" to "Mike Myers all Washed Up." And in the current issue of Rolling Stone, a reporter asks: "Is the failure of The Love Guru merely a slip or a sign of dire things to come?" Which leads to my question: Is the failure of "The Love Guru" really to blame for this media massacre? Sure, critics called Myers latest movie "reprehensible," while others considered it a "critical and commercial bomb," but does one movie really spell the demise of a comedic actor who has been around for years? Okay, "The Cat in the Hat" wasn't that great either. The former "Saturday Night Live" star parlayed his success into the blockbuster "Wayne's World" then went on to star in box office successes such as "Shrek" and "Austin Powers." But, critics say that's part of Myers' problem. The 45-year-old actor has only appeared in three movies this decade that weren't related to "Shrek" or "Austin Powers," and all of them stunk (including his forgettable cameo in "View from the Top" and the aforementioned "The Love Guru.") Given that Myers' only films between "Cat in the Hat" and "Love Guru" were "Shrek" sequels and animated voiceover work he has gone nearly 5 years without being seen on the big screen. And that says critics is why "the buzzards are circling over the star's career." So is Myers' big screen career really over? I haven't seen "The Love Guru" and after watching the trailer for it and reading the reviews, I don't plan to. I did, however, sit through part of "The Cat in the Hat" (it got too painful to endure after the first 40 minutes). Still, I don't think the failure of those films signals dire things ahead for Myers. Does Myers have the right to be discouraged... perhaps, but such is comedy in this fickle world of ours. What made us chuckle five years ago may make us wince today. At 45 Myers doesn't look a day over 29 so I would bet that he will continue to make his mark (comedic or otherwise) in the town that is talking trash about him right now. Personally, I think Myers should take his cue from Tom Hanks, another Hollywood funnyman who endured similar criticism after starring in stinkers like "Joe Versus the Volcano" and "Bonfire of the Vanities." Lest we forget "Philadelphia" and "Forrest Gump" soon followed. Do you think Mike Myers is washed up? Learn more about Michele Cheplic  Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism. Relevantpopular culture tags User Comments  deedee1231 (4030) 26 Jun 2008 12:22 PMI don't know, I'm not really feeling Mike Myers as a future Tom Hanks. And I admit I haven't seen The Love Guru or Bonfire of the Vanities, but I gotta say, Joe Versus the Volcano wasn't anywhere near as bad as The Cat in the Hat. tangerinelullaby (553) 27 Jun 2008 02:18 AMI don't care what the critics are sayin'. I'm going to watch the Love Guru as the fun of it. I mean, I really won't heed people's opinion on one movie, I just have to see it. :D Washed up or not, Mike Myers is sure enjoying his career. This is the problem with other celebs, they're just too focused on being popular---I mean, wouldn't it be nicer if you say you love your job and would not really care of what people thinks? :) -Yvie http://tangerineslullaby.eachday.com  Libby Pelham (12871) 27 Jun 2008 08:24 AMMike Myers did do a dramatic role in "54" as Steve Rubell and there was a tiny bit of Oscar talk about it, but it almost seems like he doesn't want to make the break from the Adam Sandler type movies - like those are safer for him, even if they do suck sometimes. deedee1231 (4030) 27 Jun 2008 08:52 AMNow Adam Sandler I can definately see as a future Tom Hanks type...used to do nothing but silly comedy roles but has broken out of that stereotype with movies like Click, Reign Over Me, Punch Drunk Love, Spanglish...All of which I have LOVED. I wouldn't be a bit surprised to see him in a huge blockbuster like Forest Gump.  Michele Cheplic |
Popular Culture categories |
