[av_heading heading=’The Return of Rob Weiss’ tag=’h2′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
Written by: Matthew McGuire
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Doug Ellin and Rob Weiss return to Hollywood with the usual suspects, as well as some new faces. Warner Brothers, HBO and a small list of producers worked together to show the action behind the scenes of the fourth wall.

To be fair, most people reviewing this film have not dug very deep into the history of Entourage. When I criticize the directing of Doug Ellin, and suggest to have a co-director, Juliano Farino or David Nutter in the sequel, it is only because I know how much Ellin respects their work.

Diehard Entourage fans will remember the writing was a little stronger in the first three seasons of the show. One could link the lose of Weiss’ writing skill to the unthreading of the Entourage sweater. In grand fashion, Ellin and Weiss recreate plots and callbacks from the original television series for this feature film. They were backed by Entourage executive producers Ally Musika, Stephen Levinson and Mark Wahlberg.

“Entourage the film puts gasoline on the Queens quartet.”

*The next section contains information about the film and plot. I suggest watching the entire film first.

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Warren Buffet. Photo by: Warner Brothers Pictures / YouTube
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The film kicks off with the main characters in Spain and Italy on vacation. After watching the show, and following the story, I found that the movie abandoned some of the major changes that took place to the main characters at the end of the series.

Vincent Chase, Adrian Grenier actor, has ended his marriage after a long week, and I have to say, for a character that almost ended his career over Mandy Moore, the abrupt ending to his marriage seemed like a walk in the park. (Which is comical when you connect one of Ari Gold’s, Jeremy Piven actor, lines in the film when giving advice to Lloyd, Rex Lee actor, about his future marriage.) You know what, I’m not a huge Tom fan, but where the hell is Tom? 

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Entourage the film. Photo by: Warner Brothers Pictures / YouTube
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One of the elements that I dislike about Ellin’s directing was one of the opening scenes using a yacht and jet skis around it to give it fluidity. My problem with it is the fact I saw it used recently in The Wolf of Wall Street, by Martin Scorsese, and Ellin should have should have come up with a more original boating scene. I find that movie to promote greed, and a self-filling message to the younger generation to be a waste of time. Another major problem I had with Entourage the film was the use of Molly/MDMA.

When the main character bails on his sobriety that is one thing, but to write into the movie the use of a lethal drug, such as Molly, that is going overboard in unneeded waters. The Hangover has already pulled that lame joke. So why pull it again?

The sequel should focus on the depth of the main characters, their bonds, and use it to unify cultures around the world.

One of the redeeming elements to Entourage is the acting by a top notch cast.

Kevin Dillon performs as Johnny Drama, and continues to breakthrough as an actor. In the first season, the show covered the group going on Jimmy Kimmel, and finding a new connection and bond with one another. The camera does not lie, and the cast really started to gel at that moment. That gel and chemistry continues through the entire film.

One of my favorite recreated moments in the film was an Ari Gold meltdown that reminded me of Drama’s meltdown in season six when standing up to a network executive. The use of movement with the camera as these characters each go through a mental breakdown is unique and original.

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Entourage the Movie. Photo by: Warner Brothers Pictures / YouTube
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Another highlight was the placement of ‘Beast of Burden’ by The Rolling Stones, which is on tour this summer, under Warner Brothers Records, and was a nice callback to the classic rock sound that filled the original televised show. It partnered with a depressed and drunk Johnny Drama. Maybe I am kind of sick for enjoying Drama’s character being depressed. I have heard that Ellin is a tormented soul like Bob Saget, which made a cameo in the film. I wonder how Ellin and Sagat relate to Drama’s binge drinking problems and depression. The scene got a good reaction on opening night, so we must not be alone.

Understandably, making feature films does take a massive amount of money, but the writing should not have reflected that as much as it did overall. The film ended with open plots to rekindle down the road with a little gasoline from Warner Brothers Pictures.

The film was reported to have a budget capped close to $30 million in 2013. Deadline Hollywood has also recently reported on the projected return for the film, “the projection over five days is now low-to-mid $20Ms.” After a full-scale release and VOD, there is a solid chance the studio will be looking to make another film.

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Ronda Rousey. Photo by: Warner Brothers Pictures / YouTube
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Ronda Rousey, MMA fighter and actress, hit the big scene, tackled it, put it in an arm bar, and broke it in half. Her intensity was an excellent addition to the film. Her presence was on par with the performance from Dana Gordon, Constance Zimmer actress, Mrs. Ari, Perrey Reeves actress, as well as the other strong female voices in the film. 

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