Hereis Tom Hanks’Forrest Gumpreunion movie, but the film’s release proves that it is good that aForrest Gumpsequel never happened. While Tom Hanks and Robert Zemeckis have collaborated sinceForrest Gump, with the duo working onCast Away,The Polar Express, and 2022’sPinocchioremake,Hereis the first time that Tom Hanks, Robin Wright, and Robert Zemeckis have all worked together since the 1994 classic. WhileHeremay not be a properForrest Gumpsequel, the movie’s performance has proven that it may be a good think thatForrest Gump 2never happened.
Ever sinceForrest Gumpwas released in 1994, many fans of the Robert Zemeckis film have been clamoring for a sequel. However, one still hasn’t happened. While a second film has been discussed in the past, with a story even being planned,Tom Hanks and Robert Zemeckis haven’t madeForrest Gump 2. Hanks and Zemeckis both agreed that the proposed story forForrest Gump 2was unnecessary, with them deciding to leave the original as is. This was probably a good call based on the career trajectory of Robert Zemeckis with the release of 2024’sHere.
Here Is Another Misstep For Tom Hanks & Robert Zemeckis After Forrest Gump
Continuing A Two Decade Downward Trend
Herehas finally been released, and the film has turned out to be another major misstep for Tom Hanks and Robert Zemeckis afterForrest Gump.Herehas been plagued with bad reviews, with it being panned by critics almost across the board. As of the writing of this article,Herehas a 36% onRotten Tomatoes, which is incredibly low for an actor like Tom Hanks.Herehas also been a box office failure, with it only making $5 million in its opening weekend against a budget of $50 million.
WhileHere’s performance is the continuation of a trend that has been going on for 20 years, it is still sad to see.Hereis just the latest entry in a series of failed collaborations between Robert Zemeckis and Tom Hanks. The duo started out strong, withForrest GumpandCast Awayboth being critical and commercial successes that solidified them as a powerhouse team.
Here Reviews: Tom Hanks & Robin Wright Respond To The Divided Reactions To Their Forrest Gump Reunion Movie
Here actors Tom Hanks and Robin Wright respond to the negative reviews that their latest reunion with Robert Zemeckis has received from critics.
SinceCast Away, however, things haven’t gone nearly as well.2004’sThe Polar Expressand 2022’sPinocchioremakeboth reunited Tom Hanks and Robert Zemeckis, with their critical performances showing how far the mighty have fallen. Robert Zemeckis career has taken a downward trend since his early successes with movies likeBack to the FutureandWho Framed Roger Rabbit, with his latest movies being flops likeWelcome to Marwinand 2020’sThe Witches.
A Forrest Gump Sequel Likely Would Not Have Fixed Hanks & Zemeckis' Recent Track Record
It Would Have Only Made Things Worse
Despite the potential for aForrest Gumpsequel being exciting, it is likely that a second movie would not have fixedTom Hanks and Robert Zemeckis' recent track record. Zemeckis' failings over the past few years have not had to do with something that is out of the director’s control. Instead, most critics point to Zemeckis prioritizing technology over story as the director’s fatal flaw. This can be seen in movies likeThe Polar Express,Beowulf, andWelcome to Marwen, all of which fall flat due to prioritizing innovative technology over good filmmaking.
On top of that, things have only gotten worse forForrest Gumpin the years since it was released. The critical reception ofForrest Gumphas gotten worse as time has gone on, with some pointing to problematic issues and the overly positive vibe that the film is trying to convey. While aForrest Gump 2could have been a massive hit in the late 1990s or early 2000s, it is far too late to try and pull one off now. AForrest Gumpsequel in the 2020s may just seem sad, and there is no way that it could have lived up to the original’s popularity after Hanks and Zemeckis' recent performances.
Here Is Still Better For Hanks & Zemeckis Than A Forrest Gump Sequel
At Least It Was Something Original
Although the film has not been a critical or commercial success,Hereis still better forTom Hanks and Robert Zemeckis thanForrest Gump 2would be.Hereis at least trying something new, and while it wasn’t executed well, the gimmick of the film’s one camera angle is imaginative. It serves as a strong hook that is compelling, which is something that some of Zemeckis' other technological pursuits don’t have. Digging up old franchises often carries with it a negative stigma, something that would have only served to hurt Hanks and Zemeckis further.
Why The Camera Only Moves Once In Here & What It Means
In the 2024 drama, Here, the camera moves only once during the entire movie, and as you might expect, it moves at one of the most pivotal moments.
After decades of talking about how unnecessaryForrest Gump 2is,the announcement of a sequel would have made fans of the original immediately skeptical after Zemeckis' recent outings. WhileHeredidn’t work out, audiences were at least willing to give Hanks and Zemeckis a chance, a graciousness that they most likely wouldn’t have offered if they were makingForrest Gump 2.Forrest Gump 2would also have only served to highlight the issues with the original film, something that has the potential to retroactively make Zemeckis' situation even worse.
Does Here’s Reception Make A Forrest Gump Sequel More Likely?
A Sequel Still Probably Won’t Happen
Now thatHerehas brought Hanks, Wright, and Zemeckis back together, one of the biggest looming questions has to do with whether it makes aForrest Gumpsequel more likely. Much of the talk surroundingHerehas had to do with theForrest Gumpreunion, leading many to wonder why aproperForrest Gumpreunionhasn’t happened yet. It is possible that, ifHerewere to be a major success, it could renew interest inForrest Gump 2in the modern age of legacy sequels and reboots.
However, sinceHerehas been a critical and commercial failure, it is unlikely that the film has made aForrest Gumpsequel any more likely. While aForrest Gumpsequel would undoubtedly make more money thanHeredue to how iconic the first movie is, the poor track record of Hanks and Zemeckis' collaborations will make audiences and studios skeptical, something thatHerehas only reinforced.Hereis probably the closest that we’ll ever get to aForrest Gumpsequel unless something major changes for the actor and director.
Here
Cast
Here is an objective and formal description for the movie Here (2024): Directed by Robert Zemeckis, this film is an exploration of time and memory, unraveling the intertwined lives and stories of families across generations in a New England setting.
