Versus Mode: Battle of the Twin Films!
Twin Films Might Enter the Arena, but Only One Will Leave Victorious!
They say there are no original ideas anymore and after reading up about twin films, I might be inclined to believe whomever “they” are. Doing a bit more of a deep dive into the matter, I discovered that there are a number of suspiciously similar movies that were released in suspiciously close proximity to each other. I mean, “seems like much more than a coincidence and you might want to check with a lawyer about copyright case” suspiciously… I’m not here to judge though (at least not in regards to the legality of these movies). No, today I’m going to force these twin films to battle to the death for my amusement! Two movies shall enter and only one shall leave. Just like with The Highlander or vanishing twin syndrome, there can only be one! I will pass my righteous judgment upon them and declare one the superior twin film. The only rule is that these films have to have been released the same year as well as be crazy similar. So place your bets, because it’s fight night and the bell is about to ring.
A Bug’s Life vs Antz
(1998)
The Show-Down: The first of the twin films we’re looking at today center around an ant who has to stand up to an oppressive regime. He ventures off from his colony and finds inspiration from other bugs he meets along the way only to return a hero as he stands up for his fellow ants and shows them there’s another way to live.
Winner: Antz
As good as Pixar movies tend to be, I have to give it to Dreamworks this time. It’s a better story, a better cast, and much more interesting animation.
No Strings Attached vs Friends with Benefits
(2011)
The Show-Down: It’s Natalie Portman and Ashton Kutcher versus Mila Kunis and Justin Timberlake. Two movies, four friends trying to make a no-strings-attached/ friends with benefits situation work. Spoiler alert: things get complicated for both of them. Millennials have a pretty open mind when it comes to relationships, but two of these movies in one year is a little much…
Winner: Friends with Benefits
As much as I like Portman and Kutcher, I have to give it to Friends with Benefits. There’s just better chemistry between the two leads.
White House Down vs Olympus has Fallen
(2013)
The Show-Down: These twin films feature Die Hard style adventure in the most recognizable building in the world. Terrorists attack the White House and it’s up to one man (Channing Tatum or Gerard Butler) to save the President (Jamie Foxx or Aaron Eckhart). Even for twin films, the similarities between them are just ridiculous.
Winner: White House Down
Despite Olympus Has Fallen spawning two sequels, I was a bigger fan of Roland Emmerich’s White House Down. Tatum’s scrappy take on the character reminded me of John McClain in all the right ways.