This one went on my "must-watch" list from the moment I laid eyes on the trailer. It wasn't the cast the caught my eye, as I was a fan of none of them. The visuals grabbed my attention, sure, but visuals alone would not have kept it. No, it was the sheer sense of unabashed, heart-on-your-sleeve delight that the film apparently took in its 1930's serial inspirations.
Six months later, all I can say is...it's been well worth the wait, and more.
This is a gorgeous, rousing hi-tech marvel with good old-fashioned sensibilities at its heart. Every frame is stunningly put together, with a sense of light, color, and composition that elevates it far above any pedestrian depiction of a scene. The characters may suffer no angst, but neither do they need to for a movie like this; we're told just enough, and given enough unspoken hints, for us to get behind the protagonists and cheer them on. The visual effects are incredible--I knew beforehand that much of it was CGI, but not to what extent; during the movie I picked out a handful of scenes (besides the obvious stylized ones) that looked "too" CGI, but in an all-CGI film, a handful is nothing. There are a few things I could quibble with--the resolution of a scene here, some aspects of Polly's character there--but overall I really can't complain.
What drew me into the trailer was ultimately what made the film truly click for me--the movie's whole-hearted revelling in the 1930's adventure serial genre, and its invitation to us to do the same. There's nothing the least bit cold, off-putting, or distancing about a CGI-heavy film with as much heart as this. Flying over maps, giant wing-flapping planes, visible radio waves, dedicated heroes...all are presented with a refreshing lack of irony (and a fabulous supporting score), and I was right along for the ride.
Six months later, all I can say is...it's been well worth the wait, and more.
This is a gorgeous, rousing hi-tech marvel with good old-fashioned sensibilities at its heart. Every frame is stunningly put together, with a sense of light, color, and composition that elevates it far above any pedestrian depiction of a scene. The characters may suffer no angst, but neither do they need to for a movie like this; we're told just enough, and given enough unspoken hints, for us to get behind the protagonists and cheer them on. The visual effects are incredible--I knew beforehand that much of it was CGI, but not to what extent; during the movie I picked out a handful of scenes (besides the obvious stylized ones) that looked "too" CGI, but in an all-CGI film, a handful is nothing. There are a few things I could quibble with--the resolution of a scene here, some aspects of Polly's character there--but overall I really can't complain.
What drew me into the trailer was ultimately what made the film truly click for me--the movie's whole-hearted revelling in the 1930's adventure serial genre, and its invitation to us to do the same. There's nothing the least bit cold, off-putting, or distancing about a CGI-heavy film with as much heart as this. Flying over maps, giant wing-flapping planes, visible radio waves, dedicated heroes...all are presented with a refreshing lack of irony (and a fabulous supporting score), and I was right along for the ride.
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