In a season of retreads, reboots and adaptations, “R.I.P.D.” is nearly epic in its mediocrity. When historians look back at this by-the-numbers era of studio summer blockbusters, they may well point to this film as being notably iconic in its lack of original ideas, its staggering predictability and its thorough blandness.
“R.I.P.D.” feels like the result of a process in which the screenplay was skipped entirely, replaced instead by a binder full of studio notes which was somehow given to the cast and crew and brought to the big screen.
Also read: 'R.I.P.D.' Is D.O.A. With Critics
The credits claim that Phil Hay and Matt Mandredi, with a story assist from David Dobkin, are adapting the comic book by Peter M.