The goal for many who arrive in Hollywood is to become famous. Many dream of landing that once in a lifetime role and skyrocketing into a world filled with awards, wealth and paparazzi. It was through HBO’s Entourage that audiences got an inside look into what life could be like when you are rising in the ranks of fame. Aside from the girls, over the top parties and celebrity cameos, the heart of the show really became about four friends going through the highs and lows of fame together.

Entourage premiered on HBO back in 2004. The show looked at the life of Vincent Chase (Adrian Grenier), an actor from Queens, New York who move out to L.A. with a passion for acting. Audiences were introduced to Johnny Drama (Kevin Dillon), E (Kevin Connolly) and Turtle (Jerry Ferrara); these four friends became the entourage that we watched week after week. Fans couldn’t get enough of the behind-the-scenes yet tongue and cheek look at Hollywood.

Now four years after the show ended, Entourage is back and the boys stories continue on the big screen. Doug Ellin directs the film and makes the transition from TV to the big screen but not without a few miss steps. Entourage is an extension of the show but at times is lacking a grand cinematic feel. It feels like two or three episodes of the show put together. Ellin does jump right back into the world of Entourage but doesn’t seem to go outside of the TV landscape.

The series picks up with Vince directing and staring in a $100 million picture. Former agent Ari Gold (Jeremy Piven) is now head of the studio and has all the stresses of running a studio, including dealing with financial backers for Vince’s movie, Larsen McCredle (Billy Bob Thornton). The stage is set for an extended episode of entourage complete with conflict for E, Drama and a romantic interest for Turtle. The original cast delivers performances that feel like the show never ended.

Rounding out the Entourage cast is Sixth Sense star Haley Joel Osment, playing the son of Thorton. Osment is almost unrecognizable in this role. Osment adds a layer of humor and absurdity to his role and is a standout in the movie. Moviegoers have seen Osment grow up on the big screen in a variety of roles but they have never seen him like this.

True, this movie is heavy on girls in bikinis, celebrity obsession and sex, but that isn’t what makes Entourage special. This show will always be about four friends trying to make it big in Hollywood together. In many ways, this movie is for the fans that stood by the series through high and lows. Entourage is for the fans that never turned their back on the boys from Queens Boulevard.

Image courtesy of Peter West/ACE/INFphoto.com
Image courtesy of Peter West/ACE/INFphoto.com