R.I.P.D.

Last updated

R.I.P.D.
R.I.P.D. Poster.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed by Robert Schwentke
Screenplay by
Story by
Based on
Rest in Peace Department
by
Produced by
Starring
Cinematography Alwin H. Küchler
Edited by Mark Helfrich
Music by Christophe Beck [1]
Production
companies
Distributed by Universal Pictures
Release dates
  • July 17, 2013 (2013-07-17)(Iceland)
  • July 19, 2013 (2013-07-19)(United States)
Running time
96 minutes [2]
CountryUnited States [3]
LanguageEnglish
Budget$130–154 million [4] [5]
Box office$78.3 million [6]

R.I.P.D.: Rest in Peace Department, or simply R.I.P.D., is a 2013 American supernatural action comedy film starring Jeff Bridges and Ryan Reynolds. The film was directed by Robert Schwentke and written by Phil Hay and Matt Manfredi based on the 1999 comic book R.I.P.D. by Peter M. Lenkov. The film also stars Kevin Bacon, Mary-Louise Parker, Stéphanie Szostak, and Marisa Miller.

Contents

Filming was completed on January 28, 2012, [7] and the film was originally set to be released on June 28, 2013 [8] in the United States by Universal Pictures, but was pushed back to July 19, 2013.

The film was a box-office bomb, grossing $78.3 million on a $130‒154 million budget, and was panned by critics. [9] [10] [11] It was released on DVD and Blu-ray on October 29, 2013. A direct-to-video prequel, R.I.P.D. 2: Rise of the Damned , was released on November 15, 2022.

Plot

Boston Police Detectives Nick Walker and Bobby Hayes steal a stash of gold during a drug bust. Nick regrets the theft and tells Hayes that he will turn it in as evidence. Hayes shoots and kills Nick at the next drug bust.

After getting shot, Nick finds himself drawn into a vortex, depositing him in an office. Nick meets Mildred Proctor, who explains that he is dead and is headed to judgment. She recruits him into the R.I.P.D (Rest In Peace Department), whose job is to find and capture Deados - the souls of people who died but escaped judgment. Nick is partnered with Roicephus "Roy" Pulsipher, a lawman from the Old West. Roy takes Nick to watch his own funeral and Nick talks to his widowed wife, Julia, but she does not recognize him. Roy explains that the universe had all R.I.P.D. officers' appearance changed and are blocked from revealing their true identities. While he and Nick look normal to each other and R.I.P.D., Nick appears as an elderly Asian man while Roy appears to be a beautiful blonde woman.

Roy takes Nick to question a suspected Deado named Stanley. They ask Stanley questions until he "pops" and is exposed as a Deado. Stanley tries to escape and throws up a bunch of gold he swallowed before being shot by Roy. Roy and Nick argue and Nick throws Roy in front of a bus, causing Roy to lose his favorite cowboy hat. They return to headquarters and book the gold as evidence. Nick wants to investigate the gold further and asks Roy to take him to an informant. Roy takes Nick to meet a Deado named Elliot, who claims the gold is junk. Nick leaves the gold with Elliot and watches as he gives it to Nick's old partner Hayes. Roy and Nick tail Hayes to Nick's house and watch him dig up Nick's gold before following Hayes to the airport. Hayes gives the gold to a Deado named Pulaski who gets stopped by Roy and Nick while leaving.

Pulaski refuses to talk and instead pops himself, becoming a hulking monster, which leads Nick and Roy on a public chase that ends with Nick getting the gold but Pulaski escaping. Nick and Roy return to headquarters and book the gold before being taken to Eternal Affairs to be punished for Pulaski's escaping. They learn that gold is part of an artifact called the Staff of Jericho, which can reverse the tunnel to the afterlife. Nick and Roy have been placed on administrative leave until a hearing can be held to determine their suitability for duty.

Nick leaves and tries to reveal himself to Julia, but she runs away from him. Roy and Nick argue again but make up after Nick apologizes. They decide to track down the rest of the gold despite their suspensions. They confront Hayes at home and he reveals he is a Deado. They arrest him and seize the rest of the gold; however, at headquarters, Hayes triggers a device that freezes R.I.P.D. officers while the Deados steal the gold back and escape.

The Deados block off the streets and begin assembling the Staff of Jericho on the roof of a building. Nick and Roy fight their way to the building as Hayes fatally wounds Julia to use her blood to power the Staff. The dead begin to rain down on Earth as Nick distracts Hayes and Roy destroys the Staff. The vortex closes and Nick shoots Hayes, erasing him from existence. Nearly dying, Julia sees Nick's true self. They share a passionate goodbye, and Nick tells her to move on with her life without him.

Julia wakes up in the hospital where Proctor, who appears as a doctor, checks on her. Proctor then tells Nick and Roy that Eternal Affairs had their hearings without them. Nick is given a warning while Roy has fifty-three more years added to his service, much to his outrage until Proctor returns his cowboy hat. Roy gives Nick a new identity and Nick is excited until he sees that he now appears as a Girl Scout wearing an orthodontic headgear.

Cast

Production

In April 2006, following the success of Wedding Crashers , director David Dobkin was set to helm an in-development adaptation of the comic book R.I.P.D. for Universal, with Phil Hay and Matt Manfredi hired to write the screenplay. [19]

In September 2010, Universal officially greenlit the film, with Robert Schwentke to direct with Ryan Reynolds in the lead role as David Dobkin had since dropped out. [20] The following April, Jeff Bridges entered talks to star as the co-lead in the film following Zach Galifianakis turning down the role. [21] In July of that year, Kevin Bacon was cast to play the villain, [22] with Stephanie Szostak [23] and Mary-Louise Parker rounding out the cast in August, [14] after Jodie Foster had been considered for the role of Proctor. [24]

Music

The soundtrack to RIPD was released on July 16, 2013.

No.TitleArtistLength
1."R.I.P.D." Christophe Beck 0:58
2."The Ascent"Christophe Beck2:13
3."Elevator Chase"Christophe Beck1:58
4."Orientation"Christophe Beck2:25
5."Evidence Room"Christophe Beck1:25
6."Partners"Christophe Beck0:59
7."Nick's Funeral"Christophe Beck1:47
8."A Closer Look"Christophe Beck2:05
9."Nawiki"Christophe Beck1:59
10."A Powerful Artifact"Christophe Beck1:59
11."First Vortex"Christophe Beck0:39
12."Fat Elvis"Christophe Beck1:09
13."Raining Cars"Christophe Beck2:19
14."Hunting Hayes"Christophe Beck1:22
15."Track Ghost"Christophe Beck1:38
16."High Noon"Christophe Beck1:14
17."Half Spheres"Christophe Beck1:21
18."House Wrecked"Christophe Beck1:15
19."Icy Hot Partner"Christophe Beck1:10
20."Mano a Mano"Christophe Beck1:42
21."Goodbye"Christophe Beck1:52
22."Roy's Hat"Christophe Beck1:14
23."The Better Man" Jeff Bridges 4:15
Total length:38:58 [25]

Release

The film was originally set to be released on June 28, 2013, but was pushed back to July 19, 2013, in the United States.

Marketing

On July 16, Adult Swim's YouTube channel uploaded an animated prequel short, which was produced by Titmouse, Inc. and featured the voice work of Reynolds and Bridges. [26]

Video game

Atlus published a video game based on the film and titled R.I.P.D. The Game was released on July 16, 2013, for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360. The game is a co-op third-person shooter, set around a survival mode. It was developed by Old School Games and features gameplay similar to their previous game, God Mode . Like its film counterpart, R.I.P.D. The Game received mostly negative reviews. [27]

Reception

Box office

The film grossed only $12.7 million in its opening weekend and ended its theatrical run with $78.3 million worldwide, including a $33.6 million domestic total and $44.7 million in other territories. [6] According to Deadline.com, the budget was more than the $130 million the studio claimed, and was $154 million even after $28.1 million in tax rebates. [5] The film is considered a box-office bomb. [28] [29] [30]

Critical response

R.I.P.D. was panned by critics. On Rotten Tomatoes the film has an approval rating of 12% based on 106 reviews with an average rating of 3.7/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "It has its moments — most of them courtesy of Jeff Bridges' rootin' tootin' performance as an undead Wild West sheriff — but R.I.P.D. is ultimately too dim-witted and formulaic to satisfy." [9] On Metacritic, the film has a score of 25 out of 100 based on 27 critics, indicating "generally unfavorable reviews". [10]

Film critic Roger Moore gave the film one-and-a-half out of four stars, calling it "the worst comic book adaptation since Jonah Hex ." [11]

Prequel

In August 2022, it was announced that a prequel reboot film titled R.I.P.D. 2: Rise of the Damned had been filmed, produced by Universal Home Entertainment. [31] The film was released directly to Blu-ray and DVD on November 15, 2022, and stars Jeffrey Donovan as Roy Pulsipher, Penelope Mitchell as Jeanne, Jake Choi, Richard Brake, and Kerry Knuppe. [32] Paste gave it a negative review. [33]

On the review aggregator website, Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 20% based on 5 reviews. [34]

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References

  1. ↑ "Christophe Beck to Score 'R.I.P.D.'". Film Music Reporter. Retrieved August 10, 2012.
  2. ↑ "R.I.P.D. (12A)". Universal Pictures Int. British Board of Film Classification. August 12, 2013. Retrieved August 12, 2013.
  3. ↑ Wheeler, Jeremy. "R.I.P.D." Allmovie . Retrieved May 9, 2013.
  4. ↑ FilmL.A. (March 1, 2014). "2013 Feature Film Study" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on August 4, 2017. Retrieved July 5, 2017.
  5. 1 2 Finke, Nikki (July 21, 2013). "#1 'The Conjuring' Scares Up $41.5M Weekend But Other New Films Sink Or Soft: 'R.I.P.D.', 'Turbo', 'Red 2', As Sizzling Summer Fizzles". one of the summer's biggest losers critically and financially.
  6. 1 2 "R.I.P.D. (2013)". Box Office Mojo . Internet Movie Database. September 26, 2013. Retrieved November 14, 2015.
  7. ↑ Kubas-Meyer, Alec (January 30, 2012). "Ryan Reynolds: R.I.P.D. has wrapped filming". Flixist.com. Archived from the original on April 2, 2016. Retrieved January 30, 2012.
  8. ↑ Marshall, Rick (June 27, 2011). "'R.I.P.D.' Gets A Release Date". MTV . Archived from the original on June 30, 2011. Retrieved July 18, 2011.
  9. 1 2 "R.I.P.D. (2013)". Rotten Tomatoes . Fandango Media . Retrieved January 2, 2021.
  10. 1 2 "R.I.P.D. Reviews". Metacritic . CBS Interactive . Retrieved March 6, 2018.
  11. 1 2 Moore, Roger (July 19, 2013). "Movie Review: R.I.P.D. – "Jonah Hex Redux"". Movie Nation. Retrieved July 19, 2013.
  12. ↑ Jones, Brandon (May 28, 2011). "Jeff Bridges joins Ryan Reynolds for 'R.I.P.D' film". DeskofBrian.com. Archived from the original on June 2, 2011. Retrieved July 18, 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  13. ↑ Armitage, Hugh (April 2, 2010). "Ryan Reynolds joins 'R.I.P.D.' cast". DigitalSpy.co.uk. Retrieved July 18, 2011.
  14. 1 2 Kroll, Justin; Sneider, Jeff (August 19, 2011). "Mary-Louise Parker joins U's 'R.I.P.D'". Variety. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
  15. ↑ Chitwood, Adam (July 28, 2011). "Kevin Bacon to Play the Villain in R.I.P.D. Opposite Ryan Reynolds and Jeff Bridges". Collider.com. Archived from the original on March 6, 2014. Retrieved September 25, 2011.
  16. ↑ "Stephanie Szostak Joins the Cast of R.I.P.D." SciFiMafia.com. August 11, 2011. Archived from the original on April 3, 2012. Retrieved September 25, 2011.
  17. ↑ Kit, Borys (August 25, 2011). "Marisa Miller Joins Ryan Reynolds in 'RIPD' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved September 25, 2011.
  18. 1 2 Eisenberg, Erik (August 25, 2011). "James Hong And Mike O'Malley Join The R.I.P.D. Cast". CinemaBlend.com. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved September 25, 2011.
  19. ↑ Snyder, Gabriel (April 10, 2006). "Dobkin on freak beat". Variety. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
  20. ↑ McNary, Dave (September 7, 2010). "Universal readies 'R.I.P.D.'". Variety. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
  21. ↑ Kroll, Justin (April 28, 2011). "Jeff Bridges in talks to get 'R.I.P.D.'". Variety. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
  22. ↑ Kroll, Justin (July 28, 2011). "Kevin Bacon to play 'R.I.P.D.' villain". Variety. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
  23. ↑ Kroll, Justin (August 9, 2011). "Szostak nabs female lead in 'R.I.P.D.'". Variety. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
  24. ↑ Jagernauth, Kevin (August 19, 2011). "Mary-Louise Parker Takes Role Jodie Foster Was Looking At In 'R.I.P.D.'". indieWire . Archived from the original on October 6, 2011. Retrieved September 25, 2011.
  25. ↑ RIPD Soundtrack TheOST. Retrieved January 4, 2014
  26. ↑ "Adult Swim Airs Sweet Animated R.I.P.D. Prequel". Bloody Disgusting. July 17, 2013. Retrieved July 18, 2013.
  27. ↑ "R.I.P.D. The Game for PC". Metacritic . CBS Interactive . Retrieved July 23, 2013.
  28. ↑ Barnes, Brooks (July 21, 2013). "'Turbo' and 'R.I.P.D.' Open to Disappointing Results". The New York Times . Archived from the original on July 22, 2013.
  29. ↑ Cohen, Sandy (July 21, 2013). "'R.I.P.D.' Box Office Disappoints As 'The Conjuring' Wins The Weekend". The Huffington Post. Archived from the original on July 22, 2013.
  30. ↑ Suarez, Ana Luisa (August 24, 2015). "25 Biggest Box Office Flops Of All Time". Hollywood.com. Archived from the original on August 25, 2015.
  31. ↑ Squires, John (August 17, 2022). "'R.I.P.D. 2: Rise of the Damned' on the Way from Universal Home Entertainment". Bloody Disgusting . Retrieved August 19, 2022.
  32. ↑ "R.I.P.D. 2: Rise of the Damned Blu-ray" . Retrieved August 17, 2023.
  33. ↑ Oller, Jacob (November 23, 2022). "Where the Hell Did R.I.P.D. 2: Rise of the Damned Come From?". Paste . Retrieved December 21, 2022.
  34. ↑ "Rotten Tomatoes: R.I.P.D. 2: RISE OF THE DAMNED". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved February 18, 2023.
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