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| language = English
| language = English
| budget = $35 million<ref name="mojo"/>
| budget = $35 million<ref name="mojo"/>
| gross = $25,411,657<ref name="mojo"/>
| gross = $25,426,275<ref name="mojo"/>
}}
}}
'''''Alex Cross''''' is a 2012 American [[Crime film|crime]] [[Thriller (genre)|thriller film]] starring [[Tyler Perry]] as the titular character and [[Matthew Fox (actor)|Matthew Fox]] as the antagonist. The film is directed by [[Rob Cohen]] based on an [[Film adaptation|adapted screenplay]] by [[Marc Moss]] and Kerry Williamson. This is the third film appearance of the character [[Alex Cross]], the main character of a series of novels by [[James Patterson]]. Cross was previously portrayed by [[Morgan Freeman]] in ''[[Kiss the Girls (film)|Kiss the Girls]]'' (1997) and ''[[Along Came a Spider (film)|Along Came a Spider]]'' (2001). In 2010, [[Idris Elba]] was attached to star, but he was replaced by Perry. Filming took place in 2011. The film was released on {{nowrap|October 19}}, 2012 in the United States and Canada.
'''''Alex Cross''''' is a 2012 American [[Crime film|crime]] [[Thriller (genre)|thriller film]] starring [[Tyler Perry]] as the titular character and [[Matthew Fox (actor)|Matthew Fox]] as the antagonist. The film is directed by [[Rob Cohen]] based on an [[Film adaptation|adapted screenplay]] by [[Marc Moss]] and Kerry Williamson. This is the third film appearance of the character [[Alex Cross]], the main character of a series of novels by [[James Patterson]]. Cross was previously portrayed by [[Morgan Freeman]] in ''[[Kiss the Girls (film)|Kiss the Girls]]'' (1997) and ''[[Along Came a Spider (film)|Along Came a Spider]]'' (2001). In 2010, [[Idris Elba]] was attached to star, but he was replaced by Perry. Filming took place in 2011. The film was released on October 19, 2012 in the United States and Canada.


==Plot==
==Plot==
Line 45: Line 45:


==Production==
==Production==
''Alex Cross'' is directed by [[Rob Cohen]] based on an adapted screenplay by [[Marc Moss]] and Kerry Williamson. The film stars [[Alex Cross]], the protagonist in a series of novels written by [[James Patterson]]. Cross was previously portrayed by [[Morgan Freeman]] in ''[[Kiss the Girls (film)|Kiss the Girls]]'' (1997) and ''[[Along Came a Spider (film)|Along Came a Spider]]'' (2001). The character was rebooted in 2010 when a project began development with a screenplay by Williamson and Patterson.<ref name="producer">{{cite journal | last=Bierly | first=Mandi | url=http://popwatch.ew.com/2011/02/01/tyler-perry-alex-cross-idris-elba/ | title=Tyler Perry in, Idris Elba out of Alex Cross reboot: Producer explains why | journal=[[Entertainment Weekly]] | date={{nowrap|February 1}}, 2011 }}</ref> [[David Twohy]] was attached as director with the responsibility of rewriting the screenplay. In August 2010, [[Idris Elba]] was cast as Alex Cross.<ref>{{cite news | last=Fleming | first=Mike | url=http://www.deadline.com/2010/08/idris-elba-is-new-alex-cross-in-relaunched-james-patterson-film-franchise/ | title=Idris Elba Is New Alex Cross In Relaunched James Patterson Film Franchise | publisher=[[Deadline.com]] | date={{nowrap|August 18}}, 2010 | accessdate={{nowrap|October 17}}, 2012 }}</ref>
''Alex Cross'' is directed by [[Rob Cohen]] based on an adapted screenplay by [[Marc Moss]] and Kerry Williamson. The film stars [[Alex Cross]], the protagonist in a series of novels written by [[James Patterson]]. Cross was previously portrayed by [[Morgan Freeman]] in ''[[Kiss the Girls (film)|Kiss the Girls]]'' (1997) and ''[[Along Came a Spider (film)|Along Came a Spider]]'' (2001). The character was rebooted in 2010 when a project began development with a screenplay by Williamson and Patterson.<ref name="producer">{{cite journal | last=Bierly | first=Mandi | url=http://popwatch.ew.com/2011/02/01/tyler-perry-alex-cross-idris-elba/ | title=Tyler Perry in, Idris Elba out of Alex Cross reboot: Producer explains why | journal=[[Entertainment Weekly]] | date=February 1, 2011 }}</ref> [[David Twohy]] was attached as director with the responsibility of rewriting the screenplay. In August 2010, [[Idris Elba]] was cast as Alex Cross.<ref>{{cite news | last=Fleming | first=Mike | url=http://www.deadline.com/2010/08/idris-elba-is-new-alex-cross-in-relaunched-james-patterson-film-franchise/ | title=Idris Elba Is New Alex Cross In Relaunched James Patterson Film Franchise | publisher=[[Deadline.com]] | date=August 18, 2010 | accessdate=October 17, 2012 }}</ref>


Toward the end of 2010, QED International purchased rights and the initial screenplay by Williamson and Patterson.<ref name="producer" /> By January 2011, [[Tyler Perry]] replaced Elba in the starring role, and Cohen was attached as director.<ref>{{cite news | last=Fleming | first=Mike | url=http://www.deadline.com/2011/01/tyler-perry-as-alex-cross/ | title=Tyler Perry As Alex Cross In James Patterson Franchise Reboot | publisher=[[Deadline.com]] | date={{nowrap|January 31}}, 2011 | accessdate={{nowrap|October 17}}, 2012 }}</ref> QED hired [[Marc Moss]], who worked on the previous Alex Cross films, to refine the screenplay for Perry and Cohen.<ref name="producer" /> With a production budget of {{nowrap|$23 million}},<ref>{{cite news | last=Kenber | first=Ben | url=http://wegotthiscovered.com/movies/interview-rob-cohen-alex-cross/ | title=Interview With Rob Cohen On Alex Cross | work=We Got This Covered | date={{nowrap|October 15}}, 2012 | accessdate={{nowrap|October 17}}, 2012 }}</ref> filming began on {{nowrap|August 8}}, 2011 in [[Cleveland|Cleveland, Ohio]] and lasted until {{nowrap|September 16}}, 2011. Filming locations in northeast Ohio served as a backdrop to [[Detroit|Detroit, Michigan]], where the character works for the [[Detroit Police Department]]. After Ohio, filming also took place in Detroit itself for two weeks.<ref>{{cite news | O'Connor | first=Clint | url=http://www.cleveland.com/moviebuff/index.ssf/2012/10/tyler_perry_tough-guy_the_mega.html | title=Tyler Perry tough-guy: The megastar talks about 'Alex Cross,' the new thriller he shot in Cleveland | work=[[The Plain Dealer]] | date={{nowrap|October 12}}, 2012 | accessdate={{nowrap|October 17}}, 2012 }}</ref>
Toward the end of 2010, QED International purchased rights and the initial screenplay by Williamson and Patterson.<ref name="producer" /> By January 2011, [[Tyler Perry]] replaced Elba in the starring role, and Cohen was attached as director.<ref>{{cite news | last=Fleming | first=Mike | url=http://www.deadline.com/2011/01/tyler-perry-as-alex-cross/ | title=Tyler Perry As Alex Cross In James Patterson Franchise Reboot | publisher=[[Deadline.com]] | date=January 31, 2011 | accessdate=October 17, 2012 }}</ref> QED hired [[Marc Moss]], who worked on the previous Alex Cross films, to refine the screenplay for Perry and Cohen.<ref name="producer" /> With a production budget of $35 million,<ref name="mojo"/> filming began on August 8, 2011 in [[Cleveland|Cleveland, Ohio]] and lasted until September 16, 2011. Filming locations in northeast Ohio served as a backdrop to [[Detroit|Detroit, Michigan]], where the character works for the [[Detroit Police Department]]. After Ohio, filming also took place in Detroit itself for two weeks.<ref>{{cite news | O'Connor | first=Clint | url=http://www.cleveland.com/moviebuff/index.ssf/2012/10/tyler_perry_tough-guy_the_mega.html | title=Tyler Perry tough-guy: The megastar talks about 'Alex Cross,' the new thriller he shot in Cleveland | work=[[The Plain Dealer]] | date=October 12, 2012 | accessdate=October 17, 2012 }}</ref>


Fox developed an extremely muscular physique for his role as Picasso and lost most of his body fat.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2146556/Matthew-Fox-Lost-weight--gained-SERIOUS-muscle-unrecognisable-role-Alex-Cross-movie.html |title=Matthew Fox has Lost some weight... and gained SERIOUS muscle for unrecognisable role in Alex Cross movie |work=[[Daily Mail]] |date=18 May 2012 |accessdate=19 May 2012}}</ref>
Fox developed an extremely muscular physique for his role as Picasso and lost most of his body fat.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2146556/Matthew-Fox-Lost-weight--gained-SERIOUS-muscle-unrecognisable-role-Alex-Cross-movie.html |title=Matthew Fox has Lost some weight... and gained SERIOUS muscle for unrecognisable role in Alex Cross movie |work=[[Daily Mail]] |date=18 May 2012 |accessdate=19 May 2012}}</ref>


==Release==
==Release==
''Alex Cross'' was released in the United States and Canada on {{nowrap|October 19}}, 2012. [[Summit Entertainment]] purchased distribution rights for the territories in March 2011.<ref>{{cite journal | last=McNary | first=Dave | url=http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118034399 | title=Summit acquires U.S. rights to 'Cross' | journal=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] | date={{nowrap|March 24}}, 2011 | accessdate={{nowrap|October 17}}, 2012 }}</ref> The distributor originally set the release date for {{nowrap|October 26}}, 2012.<ref>{{cite journal | last=McNary | first=Dave | url=http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118049828.html?cmpid=RSS|News|FilmNews | title=Summit sets 'Alex Cross' for October | journal=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] | date={{nowrap|February 7}}, 2012 }}</ref>
''Alex Cross'' was released in the United States and Canada on October 19, 2012. [[Summit Entertainment]] purchased distribution rights for the territories in March 2011.<ref>{{cite journal | last=McNary | first=Dave | url=http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118034399 | title=Summit acquires U.S. rights to 'Cross' | journal=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] | date=March 24, 2011 | accessdate=October 17, 2012 }}</ref> The distributor originally set the release date for October 26, 2012.<ref>{{cite journal | last=McNary | first=Dave | url=http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118049828.html?cmpid=RSS|News|FilmNews | title=Summit sets 'Alex Cross' for October | journal=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] | date=February 7, 2012 }}</ref>


The theatrical release poster featured the tagline, "Don't ever cross Alex Cross." ''The Playlist'' at [[indieWire]] was critical of the tagline, saying, "It'll be impressive if anything dumber appears on a movie poster this year."<ref>{{cite news | last=Lyttelton | first=Oliver | url=http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/the-10-worst-poster-taglines-of-all-time-20121017 | title=Don't Ever Cross Alex Cross: The 10 Most Awful Movie Poster Taglines | work=The Playlist | publisher=[[indieWire]] | date={{nowrap|October 17}}, 2012 | accessdate={{nowrap|October 17}}, 2012 }}</ref>
The theatrical release poster featured the tagline, "Don't ever cross Alex Cross." ''The Playlist'' at [[indieWire]] was critical of the tagline, saying, "It'll be impressive if anything dumber appears on a movie poster this year."<ref>{{cite news | last=Lyttelton | first=Oliver | url=http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/the-10-worst-poster-taglines-of-all-time-20121017 | title=Don't Ever Cross Alex Cross: The 10 Most Awful Movie Poster Taglines | work=The Playlist | publisher=[[indieWire]] | date=October 17, 2012 | accessdate=October 17, 2012 }}</ref>


==Reception==
==Reception==
The film has received mainly negative reviews from critics, as it currently holds a 13% rating on [[Rotten Tomatoes]] based on 110 reviews with the consensus stating: "Tyler Perry and Matthew Fox do their best, but they're trampled by Rob Cohen's frustrating direction and a tasteless, lazily written screenplay.",<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/alex_cross/|title=Alex Cross|publisher=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|accessdate=November 27, 2012}}</ref> whilst at [[Metacritic]], it scored a 30/100.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/movie/alex-cross|title=Alex Cross Reviews, Ratings, Credits, and More|publisher=[[Metacritic]]|accessdate=November 27, 2012}}</ref>
The film has received mainly negative reviews from critics, as it currently holds a 13% rating on [[Rotten Tomatoes]] based on 111 reviews with the consensus stating: "Tyler Perry and Matthew Fox do their best, but they're trampled by Rob Cohen's frustrating direction and a tasteless, lazily written screenplay.",<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/alex_cross/|title=Alex Cross|publisher=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|accessdate=November 27, 2012}}</ref> whilst at [[Metacritic]], it scored a 30/100.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/movie/alex-cross|title=Alex Cross Reviews, Ratings, Credits, and More|publisher=[[Metacritic]]|accessdate=November 27, 2012}}</ref>

[[Roger Ebert]] called it "a disjointed thriller with too many characters rattling around..."Alex Cross" would perhaps have been much improved with Madea in the title role." [[Manohla Dargis]] of the ''[[New York Times]]'' added that ''Alex Cross'' was "a grim, dispiritingly stupid waste of time, energy, money and talent". [[Wesley Morris]] of the ''[[Boston Globe]]'' stated "some movies make it to theaters, and you don’t know why. Nothing works. Or some of it works, but that doesn’t matter because what’s working is so deeply, painfully boring. “Alex Cross” is that kind of movie. If I hadn’t had to stay awake, I would have slept though the whole thing. At home."

Despite the negative critical reaction, the film received positive reactions with Tyler Perry and James Patterson fans, many praising Perry and Fox's performances. It received an "A" on Cinemascore.


==Sequel==
==Sequel==

Revision as of 15:19, 30 November 2012

Alex Cross
Directed byRob Cohen
Screenplay byMarc Moss
Kerry Williamson
Produced byBill Block
Steve Bowen
Randal Emmett
Leopoldo Gout
Paul Hanson
James Patterson
StarringTyler Perry
Matthew Fox
CinematographyRicardo Della Rosa
Edited byMatt Diezel
Thom Noble
Music byJohn Debney
Production
companies
QED International
Block/Hanson
Emmett/Furla Films
Envision Entertainment Corporation
IAC Productions
James Patterson Entertainment
Distributed bySummit Entertainment
Release date
  • October 19, 2012 (2012-10-19)
Running time
101 minutes[1]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$35 million[1]
Box office$25,426,275[1]

Alex Cross is a 2012 American crime thriller film starring Tyler Perry as the titular character and Matthew Fox as the antagonist. The film is directed by Rob Cohen based on an adapted screenplay by Marc Moss and Kerry Williamson. This is the third film appearance of the character Alex Cross, the main character of a series of novels by James Patterson. Cross was previously portrayed by Morgan Freeman in Kiss the Girls (1997) and Along Came a Spider (2001). In 2010, Idris Elba was attached to star, but he was replaced by Perry. Filming took place in 2011. The film was released on October 19, 2012 in the United States and Canada.

Plot

Dr. Alex Cross (Tyler Perry) is a psychologist and police lieutenant who lives in the Indian village neighborhood of Detroit with his wife, Maria (Carmen Ejogo), their children, Damon and Janelle, and his grandmother, Nana Mama. Upon learning that Maria is pregnant with their third child, Cross considers accepting a job as an FBI profiler, but fears Maria's reaction, as it would require them to relocate to Washington, D.C. Meanwhile, a man called Picasso (Matthew Fox) participates in an underground mixed martial arts match, where he flirts with businesswoman Fan Yau (Stephanie Jacobsen). After brutally beating his opponent, Picasso is invited to Fan Yau's house in Grosse Pointe. There, he sedates, tortures, and kills her.

Police captain Richard Brookwell (John C. McGinley) calls Cross and his partner, Tommy Kane (Edward Burns), to the crime scene. On the way there, Cross tells Kane about Maria's pregnancy and the FBI's offer, and Kane reveals that he is secretly dating their colleague, Monica Ashe (Rachel Nichols). Investigating Yau's murder, Cross deduces that Picasso is a professional assassin, and finds a sketch left behind by Picasso revealing that his next target is a businessman, Erich Nunemarcher (Werner Daehn). Cross, Kane and Ashe go to Nunemarcher's office, but he dismisses their claims. Picasso manages to enter the building, but is prevented from killing Nunemarcher by Cross, and escapes after being shot by Kane.

Analyzing a drop of Picasso's blood, Cross learns that Picasso is a psychotic former member of the Special Forces and that his real target is billionaire CEO Leon Mercier (Jean Reno). Cross informs Mercier that Picasso might be trying to kill him. Meanwhile, as revenge for their earlier interference, Picasso attacks Ashe, sedating and beating her; and kills Maria with a sniper shot, leading both Cross and Kane to swear revenge against him. The detectives learn that Picasso is targeting Mercier at a conference and informs Brookwell, who isolates the area. However, Picasso is able to kill Mercier by firing a bazooka from a moving train. Cross and Kane chase after Picasso and corner him at an abandoned theater. Picasso and Cross fight, leading to Picasso's death.

Cross eventually learns that Picasso's employer was Mercier himself. Having embezzled money from his clients, Mercier asked for Yau and Nunemarcher's help to fake his death and flee to Bali, and then hired Picasso to eliminate Yau, Nunemarcher and a double pretending to be the real Mercier. However, Cross is able to plant drugs in Mercier's belongings before he leaves and informs the local police. Mercier is arrested in Indonesia and condemned to death by firing squad. Having captured Maria's murderer, Cross decides to accept the FBI's offer and move to Washington with his family. Before he leaves, Kane reveals that he also applied for a job in the FBI. After expressing his hope that he and Cross will work together again one day, they part ways.

Cast

Production

Alex Cross is directed by Rob Cohen based on an adapted screenplay by Marc Moss and Kerry Williamson. The film stars Alex Cross, the protagonist in a series of novels written by James Patterson. Cross was previously portrayed by Morgan Freeman in Kiss the Girls (1997) and Along Came a Spider (2001). The character was rebooted in 2010 when a project began development with a screenplay by Williamson and Patterson.[2] David Twohy was attached as director with the responsibility of rewriting the screenplay. In August 2010, Idris Elba was cast as Alex Cross.[3]

Toward the end of 2010, QED International purchased rights and the initial screenplay by Williamson and Patterson.[2] By January 2011, Tyler Perry replaced Elba in the starring role, and Cohen was attached as director.[4] QED hired Marc Moss, who worked on the previous Alex Cross films, to refine the screenplay for Perry and Cohen.[2] With a production budget of $35 million,[1] filming began on August 8, 2011 in Cleveland, Ohio and lasted until September 16, 2011. Filming locations in northeast Ohio served as a backdrop to Detroit, Michigan, where the character works for the Detroit Police Department. After Ohio, filming also took place in Detroit itself for two weeks.[5]

Fox developed an extremely muscular physique for his role as Picasso and lost most of his body fat.[6]

Release

Alex Cross was released in the United States and Canada on October 19, 2012. Summit Entertainment purchased distribution rights for the territories in March 2011.[7] The distributor originally set the release date for October 26, 2012.[8]

The theatrical release poster featured the tagline, "Don't ever cross Alex Cross." The Playlist at indieWire was critical of the tagline, saying, "It'll be impressive if anything dumber appears on a movie poster this year."[9]

Reception

The film has received mainly negative reviews from critics, as it currently holds a 13% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 111 reviews with the consensus stating: "Tyler Perry and Matthew Fox do their best, but they're trampled by Rob Cohen's frustrating direction and a tasteless, lazily written screenplay.",[10] whilst at Metacritic, it scored a 30/100.[11]

Sequel

Prior to the film's release, it was announced that Double Cross would be adapted into a film with Perry reprising his role.[12]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Alex Cross (2012)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved November 27, 2012.
  2. ^ a b c Bierly, Mandi (February 1, 2011). "Tyler Perry in, Idris Elba out of Alex Cross reboot: Producer explains why". Entertainment Weekly.
  3. ^ Fleming, Mike (August 18, 2010). "Idris Elba Is New Alex Cross In Relaunched James Patterson Film Franchise". Deadline.com. Retrieved October 17, 2012.
  4. ^ Fleming, Mike (January 31, 2011). "Tyler Perry As Alex Cross In James Patterson Franchise Reboot". Deadline.com. Retrieved October 17, 2012.
  5. ^ "Tyler Perry tough-guy: The megastar talks about 'Alex Cross,' the new thriller he shot in Cleveland". The Plain Dealer. October 12, 2012. Retrieved October 17, 2012. {{cite news}}: |first= missing |last= (help); Text "O'Connor" ignored (help)
  6. ^ "Matthew Fox has Lost some weight... and gained SERIOUS muscle for unrecognisable role in Alex Cross movie". Daily Mail. 18 May 2012. Retrieved 19 May 2012.
  7. ^ McNary, Dave (March 24, 2011). "Summit acquires U.S. rights to 'Cross'". Variety. Retrieved October 17, 2012.
  8. ^ McNary, Dave (February 7, 2012). "Summit sets 'Alex Cross' for October". Variety. {{cite journal}}: Text "FilmNews" ignored (help); Text "News" ignored (help)
  9. ^ Lyttelton, Oliver (October 17, 2012). "Don't Ever Cross Alex Cross: The 10 Most Awful Movie Poster Taglines". The Playlist. indieWire. Retrieved October 17, 2012.
  10. ^ "Alex Cross". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved November 27, 2012.
  11. ^ "Alex Cross Reviews, Ratings, Credits, and More". Metacritic. Retrieved November 27, 2012.
  12. ^ Trumbore, Dave. "Tyler Perry and James Patterson Finalize Deal for ALEX CROSS Sequel, DOUBLE CROSS". Collider.com. Retrieved October 17, 2012.
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