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Quint goes ga-ga over SKY CAPTAIN and all those Giant Robots!!!
Ahoy, squirts! Quint here with a little review of a big movie. You know we've been pushing SKY CAPTAIN AND THE WORLD OF TOMORROW since when it was simply titled THE WORLD OF TOMORROW here on AICN... Harry especially caught the bug early when he read the script and it played him like a fiddle. Serial influences, Fleischer SUPERMAN influences, dashing adventure in the vein of KING KONG and THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD... a true love for that era of fantasy... well, that should appeal to all geeks, but to Harry it was more than just appeal. If you know him, you know that this stuff is his lifeblood. His love and passion for cinema doesn't reach far beyond early sci-fi and giant robots. It's the tip of the top.
Harry has a knack for spotting these projects. He did it with LOTR back when most people were saying it was going to be a miserable failure that will sink New Line. He did it for DONNIE DARKO back before anyone knew who Richard Kelly was. And now he's done it for Kerry Conran and his passion project, SKY CAPTAIN AND THE WORLD OF TOMORROW, regardless of what kind of money it makes or doesn't make. It could make a trillion dollars or it could make $5 and he'd still be right.
I had the exact same feeling while watching SKY CAPTAIN as I did when I was a kid watching RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK. It invokes the same sort of wondered awe that, strangely, great films inspired by serials seem to capture. RAIDERS is an example of that. So is the original STAR WARS. Now so is SKY CAPTAIN AND THE WORLD OF TOMORROW.
I won't go so far as to say that the film is on the same level with STAR WARS or RAIDERS simply because they've both proven their worth and success over decades worth of repeat viewings. I can only tell you what I felt as I watched SKY CAPTAIN for the first time.
Most of you know the premise from the first trailer. Epic shit is happening to New York (not to mention the rest of the world) and Sky Captain is called in. Joe Sullivan (aka Sky Captain) is played as a perfect mix of Buck Rogers, Flash Gordon and Errol Flynn by Jude Law. He doesn't have any superpowers, but he has charm, brains, some awesome gadgets and the elbow-grease to get the job done.
There's a rocky relationship between Joe and Polly Perkins, the go-get-em reporter played by Gwyneth Paltrow. Some people might get a little agitated with her throwing herself into danger and the obsession she has with her career. I, personally, love it if only because it's such a huge nod to Lois Lane as portrayed in the Fleischer SUPERMAN cartoons. Lois Lane was always doing the most stupid shit to get her story, but for some reason we still loved her. When Polly stands in front of the marching 75 foot tall robots to get her picture or risks her life saving her camera or debating on saving her last 3 shots for something REALLY good... all I could think of was Lois climbing into the Bulleteer's ships or taking photos of a crime knowing full well that the flash or sound of the camera would give her away.
Funnily enough, the two characters people aren't really focusing on steal the movie. I know there's a blanket dislike out there in the fan community for Angelina Jolie, but after this movie everyone who has been talking trash about her is going to eat some serious crow. She doesn't have much screen time, but her character of Frankie will simultaneously make you forget about her recent rash of mediocre, unforgettable or just plain bad films and remind you why she's in such high demand as an actress. The smarmy sexiness and confidence she has... the way she plays with Polly's jealousy and flirts with Joe is perfect. Plus, she has one badass flying patrol.
The other character is only glimpsed in the trailers and is played by an actor I'm wishy-washy with. I love Giovanni Ribisi in films like THE GIFT, SUBURBIA, LOVE'S BROTHER and SAVING PRIVATE RYAN, but he grates on me in films like THE OTHER SISTER, GONE IN SIXTY SECONDS and THE MOD SQUAD. In SKY CAPTAIN he plays Dex who will totally win over every single geek in the crowd. He's the Buddy to Law's Buck Rogers, but he's even more than that. Dex is the good friend, almost side-kick... Think of mixing Buddy with Q from the Bond films and you're closer to what the character is. Ribisi plays the character very lovable and totally geeky. He makes ray guns and copies designs out of comic books and pulp novels and makes them work in real life. He's great whenever he's on screen.
The effects are spectacular. The epicness of the effects is only outdone by the incredible nostalgic design of the era. New York hasn't looked so beautiful as when that Zeppelin docks with the Empire State Building... at least not in the last decade or so of film. The greenscreen work that is much publicized is gorgeous, especially Radio City Music Hall at the beginning. I literally had to turn to my friend, Kraken, during the screening and whisper, "None of that is real."
I'd be lying if I said there weren't scenes where the effects were obvious, but they never felt unreal in the film. Just like the obvious model shots of the Death Star during the Death Star attack at the end of A NEW HOPE looked like a model spraying out sparks for X-Wing impacts. You can see it, but it doesn't break you out of the fantasy world.
I don't know what else there is to say. If SKY CAPTAIN holds up like I think it will when I see it again, then it'll be high in the running for my favorite film of the year. I'm looking forward to seeing the reaction of the average Joe. Everyone at the Con screening loved it, but we're the geeks. We're the choir. I think Joe Blow Moviegoer will embrace this throwback adventure film, especially if Paramount puts real money behind it and makes sure the flick is on everybody's radar, not just the geeks who are already asses in seats.
Anyway, that's it from me on this. I got a whole bunch more SKY CAPTAIN goodies to unload on you in the coming week including exclusive one-on-one interviews with the cast and crew. Good stuff, squirts. You gotta hear Jude Law's dirty joke! 'Til then, this is Quint bidding you all a fond farewell and adieu.
-Quint
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I was at comic con when they passed some scenes and to be honest it did not impress me. Any idiot can get their computer to make these images , plop some actors and boom your the next mesiah. Also the director did not seem to be enjoying himself that much during the panel. If we shoul applaud someone for his work with a green screen, applaud Robert Rodriguez and his work on Sin City, not some dumbass that just puts some images form pur childhood(fletcher's superman, robots, buck rogers crap) and gets us wet in the pants
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After that awesome review and the first comments are negative? Wow, it seems some people have their minds made up before they ever get their bums on those seats. I mean, I think a directors discomfort on a panel isn't an indication of the films quality, just that he's uncomfortable in the public glare. Which I guess is why he works behind the camera.
I believe Angelina Jolie is a very good actress, she keeps being cast in films that don't make use of that but rather use her body to sell the film. I suppose it works but it does her no good.
Maybe this is finally the movie that will give her back the credibility she had after her oscar nom (Can anyone believe that now?) which has been long since squandered.
I want to be serious about movies, I do really but giant robots? They just appeal to my little childish heart. I'm there. -
...and I have to admit it looked really good on the big screen. I'm aware of this movie and the negative publicity it seems to attract, but I for one will see it because it's harking back to an era when film was about entertaining, something all too forgotten these days...and it'll be worth
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Jul 28, 2004 7:43:35 AM CDT
I've come to the conclusion that Hooters Girl works as a set dre
by fluffyunbound
It's OK, honey. Even if CGI environments take over completely, you can still find gainful employment giving blowjobs or something. Seriously, though - it's like when those crew union types decided to hate Cold Mountain because they made it overseas, and they dogged it online everywhere they could. It's a little over the top, you know? It's not like this is Episode III, and DESERVES to be disliked in advance.
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The only thing worse than having to see FIRST posts all the time is when a first post doubles as a cranky broadside at a movie that doesn't come out for 2 months. I swear, most talkbackers must have arthritus, or lobsters pinching their balls or something. I hope I never get to the point where I'm franticaly scanning every review for the easiest reference to ridicule. Couldn't this movie be good, people?
I agree about StarWars, though. After Episodes I and II, Lucas should be locked in room and be forced to watch his own Web Documentaries until 2020. We'll call it, OLDBOY Episode II: Revenge of the Geeks. -
Jolie sucks and blows with her big tits? Not quite sure how that works, biologically speaking, but count me in. On a side note, you really are a glum buzz-killer of a human being. I'm sure you've been told that plenty of times in the real world.
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Jul 28, 2004 9:21:54 AM CDT
http://photobucket.com/albums/v296/tk007/OT_DVD_Caps/
by regicidal_maniac
http://photobucket.com/albums/v296/tk007/OT_DVD_Caps/
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Believe me the few scenes that we saw at the comic con were horrible. The point I was trying to make is that any idiot can but a few actors in front of the green screen and then just add the background. That basically is the same thing as when you go to SEaworld and have your face digitally pasted on a figure.
This movie looks fake, it looks like a freaking video game, not a major motion picture -
Jul 28, 2004 9:36:38 AM CDT
Whoops, what I meant to say in the subject line was Check out th
by regicidal_maniac
http://photobucket.com/albums/v296/tk007/OT_DVD_Caps/
Does Greedo still shoot at Han first, an miss by a few hundred 'parsecs' in the Mos Eisley Cantina? Does Luke still scream like a little bitch when he chooses to fall rather than join Vader on Bespin? Those are two of the most important arbitrary character changing edits to the 1997 SEs. If the answer to both of the above questions is restored to 'no' I'll be a lot happier buying these DVDs. -
I completely agree with you - even though I'll be buying the set on the first day, regardless of what it looks like. Apart from the changes you mentioned, I also really hope they fixed the lightsabers in the ep4 duel.
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If there was any significant sucking and blowing on screen by Angelina Jolie with her big dick-sucking lips, particularly if her tits were in any way involved in the scene, the box office for this flick would be significantly improved. Frankly, given the performances she's mailed in recently, one wonders why she would be cast in ANY movie that didn't involve sucking, blowing, and tits.
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the trailers so far have been a big waste of money and opportunity. The trailers do not offer anything to attract anyone who isn't already an over-30 geek, in my opinion. I have seen the trailer in theaters at least twice, and each time the trailer was met with total silence, even though other trailers provoked murmurs of conversation and approval. Also, my non-geek friends have absolutely no interest in seeing this movie, based on the trailers, even though they sometimes would go see geeky movies if they think there is a worthwhile story involved.
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Jul 28, 2004 10:48:10 AM CDT
But Doc, Boba Fett NOW SOUNDS LIKE A FUCKING KIWI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
by regicidal_maniac
http://s90708385.onlinehome.us/ millenniumfalcon_esbdvd_fettvoice1.mp3
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Angelina Jolie raped my childhood........This film will suck like all the Star Wars movies sucked.....this is not news, Quint, this review was posted on skycaptaingavemeablowjob.com..........Hulk Hogan should play Sky Captain, "Into the super plane, brother!"......Jude Law is the sexiest beanpole on the planet....Bruce Campbell should play the villain....George Lucas, blah, blah, blah,.....you fanboy geeks should all get a life, blah, blah, blah.....you suck horse dick.....no, you do.....God, I love reciting these AICN Talkback Cliches!
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I know, I know... But I'm buying the set anyway. What can I tell you? I'm sick, I need help.
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Don't you get it? All these naysayers haven't actually seen the finished film. Those who have, love it. A glowing mini-review of the finished film is on Comingsoon http://comingsoon.net/news/topnews.php?id=5703 Maybe Vincent Vega really was there and was the one person in a thousand who didn't like the clips he saw. There's no accounting for taste.
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Jul 28, 2004 11:23:21 AM CDT
Doc: I am that kind of fan for the Alien series I suppose but th
by regicidal_maniac
I'm off to eBay.
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Jul 28, 2004 11:25:36 AM CDT
And another thing, how come posters can't email each other anymo
by regicidal_maniac
What happened to that?
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I wish it was September. It's going to be so wonderful. Can't wait to see it myself, *sigh*.
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I'm guessing it's an attempt to curb the rampant virus problem. Good luck on eBay, by the way. I already have mine, which is probably a big reason why the altered versions don't bug me very much - other than in a purely philosophical sense.
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It was clearly established in Episode 2 that the Fett family was Kiwi. Seriously - I share your pain. I grew up with the OT and hate to see it changed, but the reality of the situation is that 97% of the population has not seen 4-6 for close to a decade and will never notice. What they would notice - and what future generations would scratch their heads about - is how did Boba Fett lose his strong Kiwi accent he had as a child? Love them or hate them, the prequels exist and made some tweaks here and there necessary. I loved my time in the theaters with Star Wars as a kid (and would buy a *real* OT DVD set day and date if it were ever released), but I can tolerate a few minor tweaks for series consistency sake. The coolest part of the re-release for me is that I can now share something I loved as a kid with my own 5 year old son. He will watch all six, and know what happened prior to "A New Hope". Face it - what is released this September *will* become the new canon for every Star Wars fan under 25 on that day. If you remember that 99% of the OT is intact (and beautifully cleaned up), admit that some of the changes are good ones (goodbye old monkey eyes) and just ignore the 2 seconds or so where Greedo shoots first, your blood pressure will thank you. Embrace your memories, but accept that change is a part of life, even in a galaxy far, far away. **************** Oh - and I can't wait for Sky Captain. The hyper-real retro look of the film paired with an "Indiana Jones meets the Giant Robots" storyline is pure Geek crack cocaine. To the naysayers - don't worry, I'm sure some Denzel Washington or Ashley Judd "same movie, different title" flick will open the same weekend so you have something to enjoy. We sure don't want you to be confused by something a little different after all. No good music since the Beatles broke up - right?
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What exactly is the Greedo shot first controversy. I'm uncertain but did Solo shoot first in the blessed original. And was it then doctored by Lucas to appear that Greedo fired before Han? Taking the edge off of Solo's anti-hero character.
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Jul 28, 2004 12:17:19 PM CDT
The REAL Star Wars Prequels http://www.starwarz.com/ starkiller/
by regicidal_maniac
The filmed Star Wars Prequels suck, not in theory but in execution. There was a good backstory with allusions to Nixon and Vietnam to the corruption and decadence of a society so opulent it became rotten to the core allowing a neo-fascist conservative to frighten the easliy duped and unquestioning public to help install a crushing dictatorship. Actually that all sounds VERY familiar. There was grist enough everywhere for Lucas to create another epic modern parable, a fantasy for adults as he had once described the OT to be. All he had to do was use the Shaolin Monks Wheel Of Life story as the basis for the films and then rip on American politics using Kurosawa and Ford to fill in the gaps and it would have been lauded instead of laughed at. I know I'll get over it, once I've 'Paypal'ed my money to a DVD pirate. Bring on the REMAKES.
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"I'm sure some Denzel Washington or Ashley Judd "same movie, different title" flick will open the same weekend" heh that is SO true. Who was it that was ranting about just that very thing recently? SkyCaptain looks great to me, Iron Giant great. -
Jul 28, 2004 12:25:33 PM CDT
Yes Trevor Goodchild, that is exactly what happened to Han Solo'
by regicidal_maniac
And the softening of his rougishness really disrupts the arc his character. Also in the originals when Luke CHOSE to let go of the railing after being told by Vader what his destiny was he sailed silently down accepting his fate, now he wails like a girl. I haven't seen the films in about seven years, since I saw them in 1997 on their SE rereleases but I still have my fond memories of being taken to see them in their original runs at the cinema and then TV and then video. I never watched them as much as a great many people I know but I did find those horrible changes to be very noticable and quite disturbing. This latest batch of digital molestation (oh that sounds like finger rape) is very very upsetting indeed to an old (ex?)fan like me.
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Jul 28, 2004 12:32:54 PM CDT
Here are SOME MORE links to the very many changes to the Star Wa
by regicidal_maniac
Some of these are unbelievably stupid but I have learned to expect that from Lucas. Link 1: http://ubb.empireonline.co.uk /showflat.php?Cat=&Board=matrix&Number= 718150&Main=718124 Link 2 http://www.millenniumfalcon.com /phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=815&postdays= 0&postorder=asc&start=0&sid=c4e9ce7c2b158 4069644fd3d806fa211 Again I have cut up the links rather than stretching the page.
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I can't believe Lucas's spods spent all that time "improving" the original trilogy in 97 but didn't bother replacing that god-awful sequence where the Executor smashes into the Death Star in ROTJ. The biggest capital ship in the Imperial Navy collides with a mammoth space station, and the result looks like someone has set fire to a small paraffin-soaked rag. No wonder Ackbar looks so depressed in the subsequent shot.
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Jul 28, 2004 12:39:52 PM CDT
You got that right, buddy! Consider my ass ALREADY in that thea
by jdanielp
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Thanks for the links. I found myself in the throes of multiple "aaarrgghh!"s and "ooooh!"s. The former because of some of the changes, and the latter due to how fucking marvelous the restored images look - much as I imagine it would be like watching my ex run into a burning building carrying my complete collection of Pan Horror Stories.
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This film is an ode to yesteryear. I saw it and liked it and there were things about it I LOVED but this is going to be a tough sell to joe public who will not have the first clue what films are being paid tribute to. I think Harry & Qman get so caught up in the love of film they forget not everybody is right there with them. It isn't meant to be super sophisticated, but will the public and reviewers get that? I have doubts.
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I think I will really enjoy Sky Captain, but most of the public has no imagination and don't like giant robots that much. It will be a very cool film that fails horribly at the box office.
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I know at least 5 people that have seen the preview and said, that looks dumb. Ashame because it looks like the most original thing to come out of Hollywood for a while.
That does not bode well for the film. -
I simply can't wait to see this movie! Everything about it has captured my imagination. I feel much like I did as a child when I would wait for the next issue of my favorite comic book (the Fantastic Four... in case you're wondering). The images that I have seen look amazing! Director Kerry Conran has managed to tap into the childlike sense of wonder we all possess (but many of us seem to have lost). He's also assembled a great cast, and screw anyone that doesn't like Angelina Jolie - she's as talented as she is beautiful (and that is the highest compliment I can think to pay her). There will always be people looking to piss on a parade, but I have no doubt that these same people will be first in line to buy tickets to see this movie.
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I too LOVED this movie. Saw it right after Shaun of the Dead and MAN is it hard for something to follow that movie, but Sky Captain did it very well! Though Shaun is still my favorite of the year so far, Sky Captain comes pretty close. I hope the rest of the world sees how great it is, like you guys do
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Jul 28, 2004 10:14:49 PM CDT
If hype effects your enjoyment of a film, aren't you an idiot?
by logo lou
I mean, Quint, Harry, Mori, et al. can hype till they're blue in the face. But fuck, I'm not 12 anymore, it won't effect my enjoyment of a good film or loathing of a bad film. If it does, you're kind of an easily lead sheep. Ya tools.
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Jul 28, 2004 11:15:43 PM CDT
Hooters_Girl is actually WaffleHouse_Hag in my opinion.
by iamjacksuserid
Always the dim glum.
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I remember liking "Forrest Gump" and "Independance Day" the first time I saw them. Then I saw them again and was like "what the fuck was I thinking?"
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I'm sure I'm not the only one who has gotten sick of posting something controversial on this board, only to have my inbox filled with irate talkbackers who think that I want to spend my time corresponding with them thru my personal e-mail. I'm glad they finally got rid of the public display of users e-mail addresses! I'm sure this change will cut down on the amount of spam all of us receive as well.
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Since you guys fixed the public displaying of talkbackers e-mail addresses, don't you think its about time you fixed the talkback order?
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jude law might be playing ian curtis, the lead singer for the 70's post-punk band Joy Division, in an upcoming picture. http://www.nme.com
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Jul 29, 2004 2:08:51 PM CDT
I think Sky Captain would have done better had it been released
by braine
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Jul 29, 2004 6:17:17 PM CDT
Whattafuck! Not only do we get streched out talkbacks, we also g
by super cucaracha
WHO IN THE FUCK IS IN CHARGE OF YOUR SHIT HARRY? Fire his monkey ass.
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agreeing with the general prediction of this film's success, and can only hope i'm wrong. i know here, in the uk, its gonna do ok compared other blockbusters like spidey 2, king arthur, and i,robot. and isnt that a sad thought? i love the premise of sky captain. i'm 22, so i didn't grow up with the serials that inspired this film. but i love the anticipation that its given me. a film that looks like its gonna transport me to another world? how many films do that anymore? and i cant believe the critiques posted that negatively talk about the reviewer and the review. i mean. anybody who reviews on this kind of website has got to be passionate, right? can't that be shown anymore? or are we so conservative and inhibited by our cynical selves that we're afraid to post what we actually feel. and not just use the effort to exhaust our 12 year old vocabulary and thinking. by the way, episode 3 is gonna be fantastic. how can anyone who loved the original trilogy be as so ridiculous to allow the special editions to ruin their star wars experience? especially when the SEs still evoked the same feelings. how can anyone who loved star wars talk about george lucas like he was the biggest mistake in hollywood? he created the biggest film franchise for christ sake. he's the only one who can make a blockbuster movie with all that entails without ever going to ask for hollywood's permission. the guy is a legend. anyway, sky captain, if this world was just, should be great.
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It looks cool..but I heard its kinda cheesy...but if you like cheese..then eat up.
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Best name on these boards. Do you kiss your mom with that mouth, I mean fingers...er do you finger your mom with...never mind.
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Harry? What's this news found everywhere but here? "Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow director Kerry Conran must have enjoyed his time fiddling around with greenscreen because he looks set to sign on for the potentially huge franchise A Princess of Mars.
Princess is based on the first book of Tarzan creator Edgar Rice Burroughs
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