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Nordling Takes Flight With SKY CAPTAIN!!
Hi, everyone. "Moriarty" here with some Rumblings From The Lab...
Nordling made the trip to Austin for this weekend’s big SKY CAPTAIN event, and here’s his take on things:
Nordling here.
Before you pay your money for SKY CAPTAIN AND THE WORLD OF TOMORROW next Friday, you're going to have to do a few things. First off, check your cynicism at the door. If you're pissed off at the world, for whatever reason, just chuck all that stuff in a bag and shove it in the trash can in the lobby. Then, go back to those days when you believed everything you saw at the movies. Remember when you thought lightsabers were real? When looking at the Ark of the Covenant could melt your face off? When there was a Superman, and he really could fly? Just hold those thoughts. Finally, take your kid, and your grandma. Or take your niece, or nephew, or grandchild, or that cool aunt or uncle. Because SKY CAPTAIN AND THE WORLD OF TOMORROW will rule their world.
I honestly don't know how the general public will respond to this movie. It'll either be a generation's STAR WARS, or a generation's TRON. Both are great, but they have different levels of fan. Frankly, there will be some people who just won't get SKY CAPTAIN. The retro look will turn them off, and the movie's total lack of pretension and cynicism may throw them. This is a film that feels like it came from the 30s, but with today's modern special effects visuals. It's the movie that finally lives up to the potential of every WEIRD TALES and every science fiction pulp magazine cover you've ever seen. You just believe what Kerry Conran and his team of visualists are showing you, and you go with it, or you don't. I very much believed in their world, and the film worked for me.
The plot is simple - several scientists are missing, and intrepid reporter Polly Perkins (Gwyneth Paltrow) is on the story. Suddenly, giant robots attack New York City, and Joe "Sky Captain" Sullivan (Jude Law), with the help of his mechanic Dex (Giovanni Ribisi) is called in to save the day. As Joe and Polly investigate further, their adventures lead them across the globe and under the sea, to find the mysterious Totenkopf, and defeat his nefarious schemes. To do that, they need the help of Franky Cook (Angelina Jolie) and her Manta Squadron. Going into more detail about the plot would spoil the fun.
For film geeks, the movie is a smorgasbord of film references. From STAR WARS, to RAIDERS, to WIZARD OF OZ - it's an Easter egg feast. And keep a close eye on the Empire State Building during the New York scenes. Don't blink, either. Visually, you just want to suck the film up through your eyes. It's beautiful. I'm pretty much at a loss for words on how terrific the visuals are. Kerry Conran and Kevin Conran have created a world from scratch here, and it's breathtaking. I like Bryan Singer, and I'm looking forward to PRINCESS OF MARS, but I can't help but wonder what it would have been like to see the Conrans work the SUPERMAN franchise.
As for the actors, Jude Law and Gwyneth Paltrow have a nice give and take in their screentime together, and their chemistry doesn't seem forced. There are moments when I felt like they didn't really "see" when we were seeing, and there's a particular scene with Paltrow that wasn't believable because she was jogging for her life instead of outright fleeing for it. But those moments are few and don't distract from the film as a whole. They have great dialogue together, very reminiscient of those old 30s and 40s films. Kerry Conran's direction skills don't just lie in the visual - he builds a nice rapport with the actors and they really do help to make the whole thing more believable. Giovanni Ribisi's Dex, especially, seems to have a lot of fun with it.
This is the first time I really liked Angelina Jolie in a movie. She's like Boba Fett for the good guys. I just hope my daughter and millions of other little girls don't poke their right eye out to be just like her. She's just that cool. She has one action sequence in the film that trumps anything she ever did in the TOMB RAIDER films, and it got a huge reaction from the audience.
If I were seven, I'd be screaming for toys from this thing. From Sky Captain's plane, to the giant robots, the ray gun, the tentaclebots, Franky's plane, the Manta platform, Totenkopf's Ark... I'd want them all. Whoever ends up getting the toy rights for this thing's going to make a mint. I just wish they'd all get here by Christmas.
I know where I'm going to be this Friday. With my family, taking in this wonderful film. And when my daughter asks me about the giant robots, I'm going to tell her the truth - because gas prices are so high, there's just not enough fuel to keep the them in action. And that's too bad. Maybe someday, they'll come back. Until then, we'll just have to see SKY CAPTAIN a bunch of times. This is a movie that loves movies. No self-respecting geek should miss it.
WRITE ME HERE AND TELL ME WHAT A SEXY BEAST I AM!!Thanks, Nordling. Sounds like you had a great time.
"Moriarty" out.
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Sep 12, 2004 10:10:37 PM CDT
Any moment now, someone will show up and be a colossal shrew abo
by fluffyunbound
You know who you are.
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For some reason this film holds NO interest to me what-so-ever. and I dont know why! I am a big fan of retro future looks and this B-Movie style in fact one of my scripts pays homage to such films. but this just doesnt do it for me.
Being from the UK I got me a copy of the Shaun of the Dead DVD and it is quite frankly the best DVD EVER!
Do you know how to contact Simon Pegg I have ideas I wish to share with him. -
Sep 12, 2004 10:44:49 PM CDT
I just hope this doesn't turn into this year's Final Fantasy: Th
by osmosis jones
The presence of Angelina Ug-lie and the bad dialogue in the TV ads isn't very enticing ("Why won't you die?" is right out of Freddy vs. Jason). Still, it looks like it'll be visually gorgeous, and worth seeing on the big screen to soak in the retro atmosphere.
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"Am I missing something?" heh heh. Like clockwork. I suppose it bears repeating that the world is deliberately fantastical. Look at those visuals, look at the premise; of course they're not gonna talk like they came out of a Terrence Malick movie. From what I can tell, 'Sky Captain' seems very much to be a movie about good and evil. If you think you or your children have no use for that sort of cinema, fine, but don't try to make the rest of us feel bad because we don't share in your cynical philosophy. Realistic dialogue is an illusion anyway; you think QT's work is any more natural because there are a bunch of "fucks" thrown in there?
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...my post wasn't directed at you, Capt. Raw Beard (except the beginning), but anticipating posts that are to follow.
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There are two kinds of people in this world...those who love giant robots and those who don't. I do and I will enjoy this film even if it is kind of dumb. It will be better than 95% of Hollywood drivel anyway.
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they're made by the same sort of people who "created" catwoman. Anyway, this thing is gonna rock my ...uh..yeah
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I enjoyed this film a lot. But I'm sad to say it was quickly forgotten as a movie (although I'll buy a few of the toys). It just works on only the most supreficial level and feels like a very first draft. The characters are one dimensional. I don't buy the crap that "that's the whole idea" of the serial-type film. Indiana Jones wasn't "one dimensional." These characters seem to have no past--it's as if they were just invented and said "Hey--let's put a show on in grandpa's barn!" And that's a shame. Ribisi and Jolie do their best and are most successful, while Jude Law only looks the part, and Gwenyth Paltrow once again proves she cannot act. But I don't blame them--it started with the simplistic script.
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I know where you're coming from, the concern is that it moves from one beautiful action set piece to another, and an eyepatch is substituted for character development. If that's the case, a meaty sequel would really do both films justice, like a good sequel should. Here's hoping!
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Sep 12, 2004 11:36:30 PM CDT
Gwyneth jogs for her life away from zombie Bruce Paltrow?
by gypsytrobot
the old serials were one-dimensional and cheesy, although not without their charm. They still carry nostalgia for the older folks, kinda like the cartoons that still appeal to (some) Gen X-ers. Shitty TV ads aside, Sky Captain does look like nice eye candy. I'd go see it this weekend if I didn't have a higher movie priority. John Sayles and Chris Cooper, awwww yeahhhh! -- and thus, I am a normal-sized shrew.
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Forget the planes with the flapping wings (those are dopey), I want a replica of the zeppelin base. It's the Imperial Star Destroyer for the new milennium.
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Nordling...I thought these were "OFFICIALLY" referred to as Squggly-armed robots.
Tee-hee.
The movie is gorgeous! Movie audiences have waited far too long for this kinda stuff to get out there again and help people remember why we love movies. Its movies like this that made me fall in love with movies. Pure fun.
I am curious about what other people will think.
Loved Dex!
I kept thinking to ask this question, but I was too shy, but I kept seeing references to the many of the things I've seen in Miyazaki's animations...Porco Rosso, even Kiki's Delivery Service among others. -
Sep 13, 2004 2:07:21 AM CDT
All I know is it acts like it was made in the 30's as a futurist
by theginger twit
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Sep 13, 2004 5:39:51 AM CDT
What bothers me is that everyone I talked to says its bad...
by jon e cin
But all the reviews on this site say its great....
I am going to see it regardless but I really hope its good.
Lightsabres are real! -
mwhahahaha!!!
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Very cool review Nordling, can't wait for the OZ release! By the way all you lucky bastard's that have 'Shaun of the Dead' DVD's, it hasn't even been released in the cinema's here yet, won't be out till 7 October, very envious! Guess i'll just deal by watching my 'Spaced' series 1 and 2 DVD over again!
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Even though I LOVED this movie, I had an unneasy feeling about the Character of Polly Perkins... I think it was because I kept trying to place her in one of those "tough-as-nails dames" nitches of old movies instead of an Ingrid Bergman innocence. It seemed like she kept fluctuating back and forth. I don't know whether it was character development, acting ability or what. At times, guessing at who she was made some the relationship twists work really well, so this may have been intentional. Maybe the thing that bugged me about her ultimately was she seemed to be fearless and devoted to her career, like a tough gal, but it seemed born of lack of intelligence rather than quick thinking. In that way, she does resemble Lois Lane who requires Superman to rescue her because she so often acts and takes risks without thinking. I also guess she HAD to be the antithesis of Frankie. I agree with the previous TBer who said the role model for the younger generation of girls will be Frankie. I know my daughter thinks so, too.
This movie is fun and beautiful. As Nordling says, allow yourself to get lost in it and you won't be a bit sorry! Everyone I know would enjoy this movie. (Kids of all ages). -
Sep 13, 2004 5:13:49 PM CDT
So anyone know what the final budget on this thing turned out to
by minderbinder
I've heard low, I've heard high...which is it?
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I just came back from an advance screening of Skycaptain at the Springdale Cinema in Cincinnati. That film is amazing! It's beautiful to behold, artfully done, skillfully executed, and lovingly crafted. The story is compelling, the characters are a lot of fun, and ...well it just plain wonderful! I completely enjoyed this film and I'm very eager to see it again! There are wonderful nods to various other historical sci-fi/fantasy films and figures: War of the Worlds (audio), Lucas (1138), Wizard of Oz, King Kong (visual ref), and Buck Rogers. I'm sure I missed a few. It's difficult to describe the beautiful blend of old and new in this film, but I can say that it is wonderful. If you appreciated the original Star Wars in its unique and exciting vision; if you have a fondness for art deco and Max Fleischer's Superman cartoons; if you find joy in giant robots, hot chicks in awesome aircraft, and artfully composed visuals, then this film was designed to appeal to you.
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Sep 14, 2004 3:03:08 AM CDT
How many times can I type ... "I CAN'T WAIT FOR THIS MOVIE!!!" ?
by jdanielp
Much of my hype is due to the director ... whom is "one of us" ... a comic book geek like "one of us" ... with an artistic eye like "some of us" ... with an opportunity like "none of us". (Sorry, I couldn't help myself.) -- I have to work Friday night ... but I'm seeing it for sure over the weekend, Saturday if possible, dang it!!! Wow ... this could be this generations "STAR WARS" for cryin' outloud!!! Everybody take your children!!!!! -- I'm a kid again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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