Save Ferris? The critics call for his head

The idea of a Ferris Bueller sequel seems to be offending movie critics worldwide. Despite a largely positive response on this blog to the news that screenwriter Rick Rapier has penned "Ferris Bueller 2: Another Day Off," movie bloggers seem largely offended. (Click here to read a full scene from the script)

It makes you wonder: Who's more out of touch with what movie fans want -- Hollywood executives or media critics? (For the record, I sure hope it's only Hollywood.)

Here are some examples of their reactions:

• "Do we really want to see a sequel to Ferris Bueller's Day Off?" (Whitney Matheson, Pop Candy, USA Today)
• "Hughes has never directed a script he didn't write, and I strongly doubt he'd start by helming some random dude's take on one of his most beloved characters." (Mediahollywood.com)
• "Look, I loved the original Ferris. And I suppose there's something like a 1-in-100 chance that a sequel could be done right. But the other 99 are dreck like Dumb and Dumberer and Blues Brothers 2000. I'm not eager to take that chance."  (Beggingthequestion.com)
• "In case you hadn't worked it out yet, this Ferris Bueller 2 script is nothing but fan fiction. I have more chance of getting my imaginary Sixth Sense sequel Gravity off of the ground, and I only just invented it." (Film Ick)
• "Even Abe Froman thinks this is a bad idea." (MTV movie blog)
• "Some schmuck in Arizona named Rick Napier [sic] has written a script for a sequel to Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, and is “shopping it around” Hollywood. Somehow it made it to another schmuck in Tampa, who posted it on his Stuck in the 80s blog, and is singing its praises. ... If this thing actually gets made, I’m gonna quit my job, and start writing screenplays for all the dumbass ideas I’ve come up with while drinking heavily in a bar at 1:30am." (Jack Matador, Denver Post)

I really loved the last comment, since the same guy who calls me a schmuck is the same guy who repeatedly spells Rapier's last name wrong (even though he cut and pasted it corrected in the portion of my blog item he quotes.) Aside from the fact that we disagree on Ferris, I love Jack's in-your-face style of writing. I think he and I could be pals, so long as there's a designated driver involved.

Comments

[laura]

I'm just as in love with Ferris and his fun highschool adventures as the next teenager. But i doubt that Ferris Bueller being 40 years old can really turn out well. When people refer to the movie or the character you don't think of some adult who is pretty much trying to relive the old days. A Ferris Bueller sequel would only be in the shadow of the original movie.

[Nhe Nack Natador Nan Nlub.]

Jack, have you read the portion of the script that was just posted?

[Jack Matador]

Thanks for the heads up on the misspelling. *sigh* I owe you a drink.
- Jack

[David Pagano]

Logic: people complain about a Ferris Bueller sequel that hasn't even been made -- and even suggest it shouldn't be made, though they know nothing about the script -- because it might slightly change how they view and remember a great '80s film.

Meanwhile, fantastic '80s properties like Transformers (and soon to be others, including Alvin and the Chipmunks) get the cinematic equivalent of dog snot, and audiences everywhere lap it up. Unbelievable.

[Marissa]

I've learned long ago that the movie critics are primarily a bunch of farts in a whirlwind who managed to get someone to believe they were able to write. They are probably screenwriters who never got a chance and this is their way of sticking it to the system. I don't care what they say, I want to see more Ferris!
I think Jack Matador (real name? doubt it) probably spelled Mr. Rapier's name incorrectly because it was his subtle way of insulting him. Rapier is a very noble name. Rapier-wit references sharp, keen mind. By definition a 'rapier' is a sharp, double edged sword. So, I believe a man with that last name is perfect to write a sequel to FBDO. GO RAPIER!!!!!!

[Al]

Have to agree with Mr. Bermudez.

Gary Cherone and Sammy Hagar were abominations with VH, and as much as I respect Steve's instinct on the 80's......

Even if everyone from the original FB returned, the vibe would be one of 2007. And that my friends, would be a terrible, terrible thing.

The '80's movies may seem cheesy in today's cynical world, but that was the point. People knew how to have fun back then, and that's why I love the decade I grew up in. If a movie studio green-lights this picture, they will screw it up unless John Hughes comes out from under his Chicago rock and does this sequel.

[Spiky Sandy]

AOL says that Ferris is #1 on the top 25 best high school movies of all time: http://movies.aol.com/movie-photo/best-high-school-movies. There are some other 80's movies on the list too. Have an awesome weekend!

[Bull in the china shop]

Do it. The people win over the critics in my book 95% time. The original is the original. A sequel can be made without taking away from the first classic. Don't listen to the critics! They think the best movies are ones that follow the typical story lines. Love, Hate, War, and Tragic endings. We the people are for films that make you laugh and do not have historic fact based story lines.

[Spears]

Russian matadors -- love them! (That's sangria and vokda for you novices.) Makes me want to call the Chancellor and sing "Scotland the Brave!"

[Little Miss Sunshine]

Blah...blah..blah...bring Ferris Back!! All you critics suck!

[Johnny B. Goode]

Steve,
You know I've got mixed feelings about the sequel, but don't let a guy like Jack Matador get you down. As you well know, his attitude would change a lot if he had a few Russian Matadors in him.

[Jose Bermudez]

Mike C said:

"To me this is equal to hearing that ACDC had a new singer when Bon Scott died - How dare they do that! They'll ruin my memories and I won't listen ever again unless it's their old stuff. Guess what, the new guy wasn't bad and the band made sure they stayed true to their sound. Gave us new memories without screwing up the old ones."

To *me* this is equal to Van Halen signing Gary Cherone as the lead singer. :)

[Interloper]

If this gets made there is no God

[Mike C]

Holy Crap! I finally figured out why my review of a movie sometimes differs from the "experts" - I go in with an open mind and wait until I see the movie. We're not talking about Passion of The Christ for pete's sake! It's Ferris Bueller - yes, obviously a movie we are passionate about because it struck a chord in our youth but Ferris none the less. None of us wants to see something that is off the wall or not plausible. I know the writer took that into consideration because to do the former he would insure that the movie would never get made as well push him into the bartending business listening to Jack's dumbass ideas in person. (The "schmuck" who manages this blog evidently thought it was good enough to write about and call it a "Blast". Being stuck in the 80's would seem to be pretty sacred to him and I doubt he would have commented as much as he has if this script was as bad as some people are imaging.)
To me this is equal to hearing that ACDC had a new singer when Bon Scott died - How dare they do that! They'll ruin my memories and I won't listen ever again unless it's their old stuff. Guess what, the new guy wasn't bad and the band made sure they stayed true to their sound. Gave us new memories without screwing up the old ones.
Lighten up and let it happen - It sounds fun and more people than not seem to like the idea. Keep plugging Napier! Rapier - Sorry.

[Spears]

Smilin' Joe -- the script is much more frantically paced than I've let on so far. The whole second half moves lightning fast. I'll probably post a scene or two in the coming days.

[Smilin' Joe]

"It makes you wonder: Who's more out of touch with what movie fans want -- Hollywood executives or media critics?"

The audience is the least qualified to ask for what they want. If the average audience member got exactly what they wanted (read: The Lost World), then why go see the film? I, for one, go to see something I could not have envisioned.

And from what was revealed in Rapier's pitch, it sounds like an extended winding down of the first film's pace. A Ferris sequel needs to be as much of, if not more of, an explosion; that the original was.

[topcad]

First, I think it's brilliant that this one little item has caused so much excitement and any press is good press for you and this blog and podcast,etc.
Personally, I could have sworn that I heard about a Ferris sequel that actually involved his son ditching school and getting in over his head and Ferris has to call Cameron (with whom he had a falling out with right after college) to help find his kid. You know what, never mind. I am going to write a treatment for this version and start shopping it around.

[A Napier Fan... oops I mean Rapier!]

Do we really care what these critics are saying... they are not the be-all, end-all in entertainment/movies.....right!!!??

SAVE FERRIS!! BRING BACK BUELLER!

[Jose Bermudez]

My opinion only, but this might be one of those rare times when I will side with the critics on this one.

I think a sequel to Ferris Bueller is a god-awful idea. Ferris Bueller appealed to me because he was the perfect hero for me as a high school kid. The very model of the cool kid that seemed to appeal to every single person except for the authority figure.
Ferris Bueller was Peter Pan if he decided to let himself grow up another 8 years. You just can't capture that with an obviously adult Matthew Broderick. And Cameron already had a day that changed him from the uptight worrier he was. In a sequel they'll only revert him back.
By all means do a documentary with the assembled cast and put it on the 20 anniversary DVD, but a movie with a grown-up Ferris Bueller is not what *I* want to see.

Bad! Bad! Bad!

[Bassnote]

When did movie critics ever care what the public at large thought? All they care about are trying to look smarter than anyone else, and championing movies that no one can understand.