August 2002 saw the movie release of a diverse range , from comedies to dramas to animated features. As we look back on this month in cinema history, we highlight some of the top picks and review their IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes ratings. Additionally, we provide links to their official trailers on YouTube.
Signs
M. Night Shyamalan’s Signs, starring Mel Gibson and Joaquin Phoenix, was one of the biggest releases of August 2002. The science fiction thriller follows a former priest who discovers crop circles on his farm and begins to suspect that they are a sign of an impending alien invasion.
Signs received generally positive reviews, with praise for its suspenseful storytelling and performances, earning a 6.7/10 rating on IMDb and a 74% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Its trailer can be found here.
Blue Crush
Sports enthusiasts and beach lovers alike flocked to Blue Crush, directed by John Stockwell and starring Kate Bosworth and Michelle Rodriguez. The film follows the story of a young surfer who sets her sights on competing in a major surfing competition, while also dealing with personal challenges and relationships.
Although not a critical favorite, Blue Crush was a box office success and received praise for its surfing scenes and strong female leads, earning a 5.6/10 rating on IMDb and a 62% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Its trailer can be found here.
Austin Powers in Goldmember
The third installment in the Austin Powers franchise, Austin Powers in Goldmember, directed by Jay Roach and starring Mike Myers as the titular character, continued to entertain audiences in August 2002. This time, Austin teams up with his father to stop the villainous Goldmember, played by Myers himself.
While the film received mixed reviews, it was still a box office success and provided plenty of laughs for fans of the series, earning a 6.2/10 rating on IMDb and a 54% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Its trailer can be found here.
The Good Girl
Indie film lovers were treated to The Good Girl, directed by Miguel Arteta and starring Jennifer Aniston and Jake Gyllenhaal. The dark comedy-drama follows a discount store clerk who becomes romantically involved with a young co-worker, causing her life to spiral out of control.
The Good Girl received critical acclaim for its performances and writing, with Aniston earning particular praise for her departure from her usual romantic comedy roles, earning a 6.4/10 rating on IMDb and an 84% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Its trailer can be found here.
Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams
Families enjoyed the sequel to the popular Spy Kids movie with Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams, directed by Robert Rodriguez and starring Antonio Banderas and Carla Gugino. The action-adventure film follows the adventures of two sibling spies who are tasked with rescuing their parents from an island populated by mad scientists and strange creatures.
While not as well-received as its predecessor, Spy Kids 2 was still enjoyed by audiences and earned a 5.1/10 rating on IMDb and a 75% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Its trailer can be found here.
Conclusion
August 2002 offered a wide range of movies for audiences to enjoy, from the suspenseful thriller of Signs to the fun-filled comedy of Austin Powers in Goldmember and the indie drama of The Good Girl. Families were also entertained with Spy Kids 2:
The Island of Lost Dreams and sports enthusiasts loved the surfing film Blue Crush. Despite varying degrees of critical acclaim, these films continue to be remembered for their entertainment value and the unique experiences they offered to moviegoers.
Here are the links to the official trailers on YouTube for each of the movies mentioned in the article:
Signs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5sI4dkWQFD8
Blue Crush: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJDjwNfvcAc
Austin Powers in Goldmember: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlztd7VhKg8
The Good Girl: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3kXavhBAjM
Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UIsbGbB9SY