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Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow
Set in a mythic version of the late 1930s, this movie is a stunning tribute to classic sci-fi serials, comics and pulp magazines of that era. Starting with a reporter investigating the disappearances of top scientists, the story quickly becomes a nearly constant barrage of giant robots, aeroships, submarine planes, ray guns and retro technology on a grand scale. The plot, which hurtles across maps of the world Indiana Jones style, definitely take a back seat to the effects. The character interactions are all predictable. But all of that is consistent with the genre, and for me it didn't get in the way of enjoying the hell out of this movie.
What sets this film apart from others is that every scene was shot against a blue screen. Except for some hand props and the actors themselves, the whole thing was computer generated. We've certainly seen plenty of CG, going all the way back to "The Last Starfighter" in the 80s, but I've never seen anything done so stylishly or so well. Perhaps the hazy, murky look is perfectly suited to both the 1930s atmosphere and the current state of the art of CG. It works.
The packed screening was followed by a Q&A with director Conran, who turned out to be an impressively low-key, likable guy. He started working on the film about 10 years ago with a blue screen in his living room, wondering whether he could create an entire movie in his Mac. The first 6 minutes took him 2 years. Initially he made an animated version, which actors later used as a guide as they mimed their way through the live version. When Paramount got involved they insisted on big-name actors, so the theatrical release is actually version 3. Hopefully all three will make it onto the eventual DVD. Conran mentioned that for his next project he wants to tackle Edgar Rice Burroughs' epic John Carter series.
The presenter, a filmmaking friend of Conran's, closed the screening with a joke about Pete Townshend meeting Eric Clapton in a London bar and commiserating about some new kid named Hendrix, "who's gonna kick our asses." He imagined that Spielberg and Lucas might soon be having a similar conversation somewhere in California. I have to agree that it seems like a distinct possibility.
Thanks to serutan for this review!
No, I just made sure my eyes were looking at the computer monitor.
I'm pretty sure some of them were green.
Couldn't you have put in a paragraph or two drawing parallels between this movie and Columbine? Or how it relates to globalism? Your plain vanilla movie review kinda feels naked without you attempting to link it in with current events or society.
GMD
watch this
"Attack of the Clones was also shot entirely in front of a blue screen."
Funny.. the first thought that came to my mind was the word "blew."
Right. Because original science fiction movies that aren't sequels, remakes, or Star Trek always do well at the theater.
Every time I hear this advertised I picture the cryogenic technician in the first Futurama episode, saying "Welcome to the WOOORRLD of Tomorrow!"
Guybrush? Is that you?
-Peter
Angelina Jolie. Sucktastic. Fat lips.
I'll be in my bunk.
www.kitchengeek.com -- Nosh for
Funny, I always thought they shot the background and poorly animated the actors.
I do security
...though I hadn't realized they had ported it over to the Macintosh yet.
I must have the abridged version of "The Picture of Dorian Gray."
-Peter
After that preview my wife hit me with the ultimate in trick questions. She said, "I'd like to look more like her, would you mind implants if I got my breasts to look like hers?" I thought it was best just to pretend I didn't hear her.
My first entirely blue screen experience was Windows 3.1.
So there.
That's "Mr. Soulless Automaton" to you, Bub.
all the way back to "The Last Starfighter"
all the way back to 1984?
Never heard of Tron? 1982? CG all over the place?
You whippersnappers with your fancy Angelina Jolie-la-di-da and Jude Law-la-di-doo! Back in my day, all we had was Jeff Bridges and Bruce Boxleitner in neon jumpsuits. And we liked it!
The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.
Here question is a field of landmines. Your only hope of a right answer is, "Honey you are the most gorgeous woman on the planet, I wouldn't change a thing". Any other answer and you are pretty much doomed. Of course by ignoring her you made her think you were fantasizing about Jolie.
I Am My Own Worst Enemy
Too bad they didn't shoot some of the poor actors and animate the background.