The new Apple TV+ movie Fountain of Youth will soon be available to stream, and in the meantime, many movies share an interesting relationship to the film that should be worth viewing. The new Guy Ritchie film calls to mind many globe-trotting adventure movies from the past, from The Mummy and Uncharted to The Da Vinci Code. Within a genre that has received extensive incredible entries over the years, Fountain of Youth promises to deliver a big-budget adventure with style when it releases on Apple TV+ on May 23.
The trailer for Fountain of Youth shows off a great-looking adventure film, with siblings, played by John Krasinski and Natalie Portman, setting off on a quest to find immortality through the fabled тιтular fountain. The Fountain of Youth images and details have only further attested to the movie’s excellent sheen, showing an exciting journey and featuring an incredible cast. Alongside Krasinski and Portman, the cast also features Eiza González, Domhnall Gleeson, and Stanley Tucci, with the lure of such talent likely attesting to the film’s high quality.
7
The Ministry Of Ungentlemanly Warfare (2024)
Guy Ritchie’s Last Film Also Featured Eiza Gonzalez
Ritchie previously released the historical war action film called The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare. The movie was well-received for telling a polished and exciting true story about a World War 2 espionage mission and saw a similar scope in looking at the global scale as seen in Fountain of Youth. Alongside a strong cast that featured Henry Cavill and Alan Ritchson, the film also marked one of several collaborations between Ritchie and González.
They have clearly built a successful working relationship, with González shining in the action-packed film as undercover operative Marjorie Stewart. While Fountain of Youth will see her in a more antagonistic role, The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare shows her in a different light as one of the key figures in the mission. Given how chilling her performance is by the movie’s end, it’s not surprising that she and Ritchie reunited for the Apple TV+ movie, and that will likely continue in the future.
6
National Treasure 1 & 2
The Adventure Franchise Seems To Be Similarly Influenced
National Treasure
- Movie(s)
-
National Treasure, National Treasure: Book of Secrets, National Treasure 3
- Created by
-
Jim Kouf, Oren Aviv, Charles Segars
- First Film
-
National Treasure
- Latest Film
-
National Treasure: Book of Secrets
- Upcoming Films
-
National Treasure 3
Summary
The National Treasure franchise follows the adventures of Benjamin Franklin Gates, a historian and amateur cryptologist, as he uncovers hidden treasures linked to American history. The series combines historical myths and legends with action-adventure elements, leading Gates on thrilling treasure hunts across various significant landmarks.
The National Treasure franchise is one of the most fun adventure series of the past few decades. Starring Nicolas Cage as Benjamin Franklin Gates, the films tie incredible components of American history with globetrotting adventure. Bringing fun, humor, heart, and stories that crossed over with iconic pieces of American history like the Declaration of Independence, the film continues to be discussed to this day.
Despite the lack of National Treasure 3 development, there may be a silver lining. Fountain of Youth seems to have a similar premise and style, mixing history with action. There are also similar character tropes, involving charismatic adventures traveling around the world in search of important artifacts. Thus, it’s not surprising that the National Treasure movies come to mind, making them perfect to get viewers hyped ahead of the Apple TV movie’s release.
5
Pirates Of The Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011)
The Disney Film Also Took A Blockbuster Look At The Fountain Of Youth
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides was the fourth installment in the franchise and began a new story after the events of the preceding trilogy without Elizabeth and Will. The film saw Captain Jack Sparrow acquiring a map to find the mythic Fountain of Youth, calling to mind some comparisons with the new Apple TV+ film. It’s filled with a glossy sheen and swashbuckling action, even if it may not be the best movie in the franchise.
While the film faced declining audience interest, On Stranger Tides is the most successful Pirates of the Caribbean film internationally, grossing 76.9% of its $1.04 billion worldwide box office, totaling $804,642,000, in international markets.
It is difficult not to compare On Stranger Tides with Fountain of Youth, but the two are very different and seem to make excellent companion pieces to one another. Both seem to take a fun approach to action and globetrotting, but they explore the mythical concept of the Fountain of Youth differently through history and iconography. As a result, the two work as necessary companion pieces to one another within the larger pop culture canon.
4
Thor: Love and Thunder (2022)
A Recent Action Showcase For Natalie Portman
Thor: Love and Thunder is the most recent adventure for the God of Thunder in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and it also features an exciting turn by Portman’s character, Jane Foster. Thor’s love interest from the first two MCU Thor films returns but in a slightly different form. Pulling from comics history, Jane wields Thor’s hammer, and takes on his powers as the Mighty Thor as a way of resisting cancer in her body.
While not the best of the Thor movies, there is much to enjoy in Love and Thunder, especially giving the best look at Portman in an action movie role in recent years. Bringing power, style, heart and so much more to the character, the actor shapes a new hero in the film that likely inspired her role in Fountain of Youth. Understanding the star and where she is in her career before the new Apple TV+ movie is important, and viewing this Taika Waiтιтi film is the best way to do so.
3
The Rundown (2003)
Another Excellent Adventure Written By James Vanderbilt
Peter Berg’s The Rundown was an excellent action comedy that has since lived on as a cult classic despite a modest failure at the box office. The film stars Dwayne Johnson and Seann William Scott and sees a loan shark who is also an aspiring chef as he travels from Los Angeles to Brazil to retrieve his boss’ son. The film turns into a big adventure about a search in exciting locations, calling to mind the Fountain of Youth.
The Rundown featured Dwayne Johnson’s second starring role, following 2002’s The Scorpion King, and he was billed in my marketing by his stage name, the Rock.
Just as importantly, the Johnson film was co-written by James Vanderbilt, who also penned Fountain of Youth. The Rundown captures much of what Vanderbilt set out to do with the new film, combining action with humor and heart, and introducing several compelling characters on a search in unique places. As a precursor to the new film, The Rundown is necessary to review.
2
13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers Of Benghazi (2016)
The Michael Bay Film Turned Krasinski Into An Action Star
Krasinski used to be known almost exclusively as the funny, handsome, and charming star from The Office, but that perception began to change with the release of films like 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi. Among Krasinski’s best films, the Michael Bay-directed effort told a mostly true story about an attack on an American CIA base in Libya in 2012. The film was praised for its action and Bay’s excellent direction, but it also featured a new way of looking at Krasinski.
Bringing physicality and a serious edge to the film, Krasinski shook off his well-worn persona and showed a dramatic side that had not yet been seen. While his career has since taken off in other ways, becoming the acclaimed director of films like IF and A Quiet Place, 13 Hours was the first signal of what the actor could do outside straight comedy. In this, it is among the most important films to see before Fountain of Youth, which seems to combine everything that the star has done with both action and charm.
1
Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade (1989)
Fountain Of Youth Looks To Draw Great Inspiration From Indiana Jones
The precursor to Fountain of Youth, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade is among the most fun globetrotting adventure movies ever made and seems to serve as an inspiration to the new Apple TV+ film. Pairing Harrison Ford alongside Sean Connery as Henry Jones Sr., the movie also saw a team being put together to try to find a mysterious artifact that could extend life. With a period setting, great characters, humor, and action, Last Crusade appears to be much of what Fountain of Youth looks to emulate.
While the Indiana Jones movies seem to be done for the moment, with Dial of Destiny yielding disappointing results at the box office, audiences still want adventure movies. Taking a similar premise, and moving it to a contemporary setting with great modern stars, is an excellent way to do this. Fountain of Youth hopes to take up the mantle that Indiana Jones left behind, and there is certainly some hope that the new film can accomplish this.
