Spring releases heavy on fantasy

By Jack Garner
Gannett News Service

From "The Time Machine" to "Spider-Man," from "Ice Age" to "The Scorpion King," fantasy reigns supreme in spring movies.

Comic-book adventures and sci-fi romps are traditionally the stuff of summer, but Hollywood is getting a jump on the escapist season with a bevy of other-worldly adventures and special-effects extravaganzas.

Perhaps it's the fallout from 2001's big hits, "Harry Potter," "Shrek" and "Lord of the Rings." Joining the box office stampede is a reissue version of an earlier generation's favorite fantasy flick — "E.T. the Extraterrestrial."

Meanwhile, a variety of dramas, thrillers and comedies are also in the mix. Listed by opening dates (subject to change), here is a roundup.

MARCH 15

• "Ice Age," a computer-animated tale of a prehistoric human infant cared for by a group of animals, including a woolly mammoth and a saber-toothed tiger. Ray Romano, Denis Leary and John Leguizamo do voices.
• "Resident Evil," a horror thriller about the battle against a powerful super-computer that is out of control, and scientists who have transformed into the flesh-eating undead. Based on a video game (never a good sign).
• "Showtime," a comedy-actioner with Robert De Niro and Eddie Murphy as cops, followed by cameras in a police reality-TV program.
• "Harrison's Flowers," a powerful drama about a photojournalist (David Strathairn) who is reported missing covering the Bosnian conflict, and the loving wife (Andie MacDowell) who dives into the war to try to find him.

MARCH 22

• "Blade 2," the second dark adventure of the comic-book hero (Wesley Snipes) who hunts down vampires.
• "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial," the great and much-beloved Steven Spielberg fable is back on screen, with additional footage and enhanced effects.
• "Sorority Boys," the story of three expelled frat boys who find new life in drag, as members of a sorority of not-especially attractive girls.

MARCH 29

• "Clockstoppers," a comedy/special-effects adventure about a scientist who invents a device that makes time stand still.
• "Death to Smoochy," a dark comedy starring Robin Williams as a deposed king of children's comedy who seeks revenge against the day's hot new character, a big purple rhino named Smoochy (Edward Norton stars as the guy in the suit).
• "Panic Room," a thriller with Jodie Foster as a single mom who hides with her kid in a "panic room" when burglars breaks into her apartment.
• "The Rookie," based on the true story of high school teacher and baseball coach Jim Morris, who tries out for professional baseball at 35, thereby becoming the oldest major-league rookie in nearly 30 years. Dennis Quaid stars.

APRIL 5

• "The Accidental Spy," a new Jackie Chan martial-arts flick.
• "Big Trouble," the first film based on the work of humor-columnist Dave Barry, detailing the misadventures of several folks who cross paths with a bomb in a suitcase. Tim Allen stars.
• "High Crimes," a courtroom thriller with Ashley Judd and Morgan Freeman as attorneys who team up to defend Judd's husband in a court- martial.
• "National Lampoon's Van Wilder," a college comedy about a guy who will do anything to stay in the comfortable collegiate lifestyle, even though his dad will no longer pay the bills.

APRIL 12

• "Changing Lanes," a thriller about road rage taken to extremes. Ben Affleck and Samuel L. Jackson co-star as two guys whose little fender-bender escalates to an insane level.
• "Frailty," a thriller about a psychotic killer and his troubled past, as detailed by actor-turned-director Bill Paxton. Matthew McConaughey stars.

APRIL 19

• "Murder by Numbers," a thriller about the mind games between a smart detective (Sandra Bullock) and two teens she believes are responsible for a series of "perfect murders."
• "The Scorpion King." Here is the prequel to the "Mummy" movies, allowing wrestler-turned-actor The Rock a chance to strut once again.

APRIL 26

• "Deuces Wild," a story of teen turf wars in the Brooklyn of 1958. The ensemble includes Fairuza Balk, Matt Dillon, Stephen Dorff, James Franco, Balthazar Getty, Deborah Harry, and Frankie Muniz.
• "Frank McClusky, C.I.," a comedy about a bungling insurance fraud investigator, starring Dave Sheridan.
• "Jason X," believe it or not, the 10th film in the mindless slice-and-dice "Friday the 13th" film series.
• "Life or Something Like It," a Capraesque metaphysical comedy with Angelina Jolie as a reporter who interviews a homeless man for a fluff piece, only to have him predict her forthcoming demise.

MAY 3

• "Hollywood Ending," the new Woody Allen comedy. Typically, little is known about its premise. Erica Leerhsen, Tea Leoni, Debra Messing and Treat Williams co-star.
• "Spider-Man," one of the season's most eagerly awaited adventures. Tobey Maguire plays the Great Webbed One.