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Robogeek looks at THE IRON GIANT, THE SIXTH SENSE, MYSTERY MEN and THE THOMAS CROWN AFFAIR
Hey folks Harry here to present Robogeek's look at the four main studio releases this weekend. I'm off to see THOMAS CROWN AFFAIR first thing this morning so I can write it on up, as I never could schedule an advance sneak to it, but... For now, let Robo be your guide. To refresh your memory on what I thought of the 3 I have seen. IRON GIANT, I thought was a perfect wonderful classic movie. THE SIXTH SENSE is a great intellectual atmospheric paranormal film with some stunning performances. MYSTERY MEN, while not perfect and having some flaws is still a very entertaining film. ANd here's Robo to fill it on out...
ROBOGEEK'S WEEKEND PREVIEW! REVIEWS OF "THE IRON GIANT," "MYSTERY MEN," "THE
SIXTH SENSE" AND "THE THOMAS CROWN AFFAIR"
Greetings, citizens! It's nice to be read by you! Sorry I've been away, but
between my work with the Banzai Institute, the BPRD, NERV, and the Allmighty
Corps, well... let's just say ol' Robo's been kinda busy whipping evil's
ass.
Anyway, I figured I owe you kind folks a healthy batch of Robo-reviews, and
thought this weekend in particular provided a unique opportunity. I simply
can't remember a weekend that has seen such a density of new major releases,
and figured some of you might be scratching your heads, faced with the
dilemma of how to tackle this mind-numbing array of offerings.
Well, your prayers have been answered! I'm here to help. Allow me to briskly
walk you through the four major new releases of the weekend...
THE IRON GIANT
There are perfect movies.
Flawless gems that emerge as timeless classics. These are the movies that
the true film geek lives for. They are the objects of our neverending quest.
Every time we take our seats in a theater, we quietly hope that we might
discover one of these rare treasures, right then and there.
Films like "Casablanca," "Citizen Kane," "Lawrence of Arabia." Films that
simply could not be improved upon. Works of unbridled genius, brilliant
craftsmanship, and uncompromising vision. Movies that are metaphysically
impossible to overrate.
"The Iron Giant" is one of these movies.
In a nutshell, this film is the perfect amalgam of "E.T" and "Superman" --
except that it is superior to both, largely due to the fact that it
possesses that rare magic I have only seen wielded in contemporary animation
by Hayao Miyazaki. In fact, it is the only American animated feature I've
ever seen that can hold its own with the works of Miyazaki; specifically, it
struck many of the same chords with me as "My Neighbor Totoro" and "Kiki's
Delivery Service." (If you've never seen these, you owe it to yourself to
rent them.)
In other words, it is the best American animated feature film in over a
generation -- maybe ever. And hands-down, it is the best film of the year
thus far, and the first "must see" film of the year. You not only owe it to
yourself to see this film, you owe it to your friends and family to
introduce them to it. It is staggeringly brilliant -- and I simply don't
think it's possible that five better films will be released this year
(hint-hint, Academy members).
In fact, I had to see it twice this past week to make sure I wasn't
dreaming. But, actually, the film hit me even harder upon my second viewing
of it. One of the things that struck me about it, along with the other two
major animated films of this year ("Tarzan" and the October release of
Miyazaki's "Princess Mononoke"), was the strong anti-violence, pro-tolerance
message. It is a highly moral, emotionally resonant, dramatically rich film
-- the kind of film Lucas' insufferable "Phantom Menace" should have been.
The characters in "Iron Giant" are all fully realized and compelling; young
Hogarth Hughes is as _real_ a kid as I've ever seen portrayed on film. And
the "Iron Giant" himself, well... you just have to see for yourself.
One of the elements of the film that has not received the credit or
attention I think it deserves is Tim McCanlies' perfect script. McCanlies is
an absolutely wonderful writer (and director -- rent his "Dancer, TX Pop.
81"), and I can't wait to see what he does next. I'm dying to read his new
script, "The Night We Liberated Paris," which is a period comedy about an
Allied bomb disposal squad. Sight unseen, I can tell you it deserves to get
made.
Same goes, of course, for anything director Brad Bird wants to do next --
especially if it's "Ray Gunn." From his earlier work on "Family Dog" and
"The Simpsons," it is a joy to see this artist emerge in full bloom.
Literally, it's as if we've found an American Miyazaki. To most of you, that
may not mean anything. To me, it is the highest compliment I could possibly
pay an animator.
(Oh, and kudos to composer Michael Kamen for using the opening three notes
of the Fleisher Studios "Superman" theme at just the perfect moment. That
killed me.)
I'd write more, but I've got three more films to talk about. But basically,
all the glowing reviews you've been reading on this site are _not_ on crack.
"The Iron Giant" should absolutely be your top priority this weekend. GO SEE
IT.
(Parents: It's rated PG, but I think it's definitely appropriate for kids
eight and up. There's one "dammit" and one "hell," but that's the extent of
the language.)
THE SIXTH SENSE
To be honest, I had little interest in this film until a few weeks ago. Then
it finally crept on my radar -- and over the last two weeks, it has blipped
brighter and brighter.
While not a perfect film, it is stunningly brilliant. It won't be obvious to
go from the get-go, but let it unfold, and it'll suck you in -- leaving you
amazed and moved buy its conclusion. It is absolutely spellbinding cinema.
This is also one of those films that is best served by you knowing next to
nothing about. Kinda like that other little horror film that has become an
unbridled box office phenomenon. But you know what? If you haven't seen
"Blair Witch" yet (and especially if you _have_), I personally think you are
much better off seeing this film, which is far superior, and a lot more
rewarding. (And I think it goes without saying that it is at least a hundred
times better than "The Haunting.")
For one thing, we get to see Bruce Willis, actor -- as opposed to Bruce
Willis, movie star. And that's a good thing, because Willis is quite a
talent. It's a real treat seeing him at work with such strong material.
But the real reason to see this film is the mesmerizing performance by young
Haley Joel Osment. It's amazing. It is one of the best performances I've
seen this year, and ranks at the level of work seen last year in "The
Butcher Boy" and "The Mighty" (two of my favorites from 1998, both worth
renting). Osment is so good its scary.
That can be said for much of the film, particularly its inspired script and
elegant execution by director M. Night Shyamalan. To be honest, that was not
a name that ever existed on the tip of my tongue until mere hours ago. But
now it's one I won't forget. Olivia Williams and Toni Collette are also both
wonderful here.
This is one of those films whose very existence amazes me. The simple fact
that this movie even got made is nothing short of a small miracle.
Like me, you may be put off by the fact that it is a "horror movie" or
"supernatural thriller" or whatever label you might perceive it as having.
Well, don't let that stop you. It's a brilliant film. That's all you need to
know. Don't pass up the opportunity to see something truly special.
(Parents: If this movie won't give your kids nightmares, I don't know what
will. It's rated PG-13 because it'll scare the crap out of you.)
MYSTERY MEN
When you were a kid, did you ever dream of being a superhero?
Did you and your friends have conversations about what super power you would
most like to have? Did you argue over which superhero would win in a contest
between another? Did you imagine that superheroes might really exist, or
could exist? If you read DC Comics, maybe you even rationalized that you
lived on Earth-Prime, but that there were parallel universes where the
events chronicled in comic books were _real_.
Well, then this movie is for you.
I've had the good fortune to follow this movie along since the production
phase, which astute readers will recall. Every step of the way, I've had my
fingers crossed while repeated a simple wishful mantra to myself in my head:
"Don't screw it up. Don't screw it up."
Well, they didn't.
"Mystery Men" is absolutely wonderful. It isn't perfect, it isn't genius --
but it's damn funny and really, really cool. I seriously doubt that you'll
find a better cast assembled on film this year, and that alone is worth
going to see this film. Besides, it's more fun than you can shake a stick
at.
Similar to "Iron Giant," one of the things that impressed me most about
"Mystery Men" is its moral center, its heart and sincerity -- and its
anti-gun ("guns aren't cool -- they're for wusses") and pro-tolerance
message. And while the Spleen offers his fair share of flatulence humor,
overall this is a very smart and witty film -- one that dares to make jokes
maybe only 10% of the audience will get. I like that. I _appreciate_ that.
It's also just such a sweet, fun, good-natured, and likable film, that has
almost nothing offensive in it -- I don't remember any bad language, there's
definitely no sex or nudity, and it's not really violent (although there is
a lot of cool, fun action).
And not in a million years would I have imagined that either this or "Iron
Giant" were the product of a first-time feature director (Kinka Usher).
Across the board, this is solid filmmaking with very few missteps. At the
center of it all is a mind-numbingly cool (yes, I know I'm using that word a
lot; see this movie -- you'll understand) cast that is sheer bliss to
behold. Each and every one is a delight, but the stand-out for me was
William H. Macy. I must have a Shoveler action figure! He is absolutely
brilliant. As are Garofalo, Stiller, and the rest. Kudos to everyone
involved.
I can't tell you how _refreshing_ this film was in the context of all the
so-called "comedies" that have been dumped our way like so much garbage. I
generally hate comedies because, well... they usually aren't funny. This
film is. It made me happy. And I even got all misty a couple of times,
thanks to Macy -- and to Kel Mitchell's big moment (he's great as Invisible
Boy).
This is the most fun movie I've seen in quite a while. Oh, and by the way --
it looks really, really great, and has some wonderful effects. I'll talk
about them in a separate article (with some pictures) that'll be posted
later today, because there's some work that I just think has a coolness
factor that deserves some extra attention. A tip of the hat to POP for their
awesome 3D matte work in particular, and to Rhythm & Hues for the
psycho-fraculator effect. (More on these later!)
(Parents: It's rated PG-13, but I'd have probably given it a PG.)
THE THOMAS CROWN AFFAIR
You know, I just can't help paraphrasing Dr. Evil by dubbing this film "the
Diet Coke of James Bond" -- although it'd be more appropriate to call it the
"Pepsi One," given one ridiculously self-conscious product placement that
occurs in the film. Not that Pepsi One is necessarily bad, mind you.
See, I liked this movie, but by its end it was kinda getting on my nerves.
It's sort of like that girl you sat next to in school who was really, really
beautiful -- but she thought (and acted) like she was more beautiful than
she actually was. Kinda ruins it.
Here's an example. One of the things I _so_ appreciated about the film was
that it shows that people over 40 can be incredibly sexy. I, for one, am
sick and tired of only seeing teenaged or twentysomethings (especially
women) allowed to be sexy on film. And I gotta tell ya, Brosnan and Russo
look fantastic in this film, and around the middle of it they get a
full-blown, knock-yourself-out sex scene. (I don't consider this a spoiler;
I mean, think about it.) It's great! Wow! Good for them!
However, for the next half hour, or so -- for no apparent reason -- Rene
Russo spends most of the time topless. Just hanging around. Pretty much
naked.
Huh?
This, to me, ruined it. I mean, the film had already made the point -- these
people are sexy and gorgeous. Now it was just rubbing out face in it, and it
became self-conscious, and even embarrassing. And that's a pretty good
metaphor for the whole movie.
Sure, it's handsomely shot, and astutely directed. The performances are
solid and charming (I really liked Denis Leary, by the way). It's stylish
and fashionable. But it ultimately becomes just a little too self-conscious,
and overplays its hand.
The film's climax is sort of like getting hit in head with a frying pan that
reads "aren't we oh-so-clever!" Yeah, well, whatever. It just becomes too
precious, too cute -- and after Rene Russo has sex with Pierce Brosnan, she
inexplicably loses IQ points, which also really annoyed me. The first part
of the film is an evenly matched chess game (though, thankfully, the
filmmakers had the sense not to re-stage the chess scene from the original)
-- and that's wonderfully engaging and entertaining. But then it turns all
gooey and a little stupid.
This is not a bad film. In fact, it's a pretty good film --and about a
kazillion times better than that mountain of excrement called "Entrapment."
(By the way, what is the deal with two James Bonds turning high-class
thieves this summer?) But compared to the other films in the offering this
weekend, I'd rank this as your lowest priority -- unless you're just
obsessed with the chance to see a naked Rene Russo or Pierce Brosnan.
(Parents: It's rated R for lots of nudity, sex, and some language.)
So have fun this weekend -- and check back for that feature story on the
effects in "Mystery Men."
- robogeek@aint-it-cool-news.com
P.S.: If you aren't watching "GvsE" Sunday nights at 8pm (7pm CST) on USA,
you're missing the coolest show on television.
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I'm glad to know that you enjoyed Iron Giant. People, the man knows what he's talking about. Go see it. If you enjoy it, you might even say it's one of the best animateds of all time. If you don't, you're only out $7. And I'm going to try to see Mystery Men and Sixth Sense this weekend - want to. But Thomas Crown just doesn't interest me. I am seeing Iron Giant again, though. That's a sure bet for this Great One.
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In general i like your reviews, especially because youre always pissed. But as a European i have a problem with films that use the "moralfinger" witch You here praise. For me its now for sure that i'm not gonna go se the above mentioned "cartoon" alone for the sake of that Thumb. What is it with american (not all though)films and amerikans- do You really like when a movie or tv-show for that matter, telle you whats wrong and whats right. I tell You this- I for sure hate it- who the f... gave them the right to tell me what to do, think or dream?. And (im speculating) most europeans or atleast scandinavians hate that- so Robogeek- stuff it!!
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Everybody is mad at him for not making a better stand alone movie on top of not making the movie they all imagined. I hope he's reading these complaints and puts everybody back in their place by making Episode 2 kick ass excellent. If Iron Giant can be this good, then good movie aren't impossible and Star Wars can still justify the Phantom Menace with good follow ups(at least make it fit with the series better than Return of the Jedi). "Should have been," I hate that phrase, and every body's using it on Star Wars now. ARRRGGGH! The nightmare has come true and it sucks worse than I ever feared.
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I love Pierce Brosnan!!! I love him, love him, love him! I can't wait for TTCA...just had to say that. Thank you, I will return to my corner.
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Not to say I don't trust you Robogeek, but check out this review of The
Sixth Sense.
http://www.nytimes.com/library/film/080699sixth-film-review.html
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The little kid's name is Cole SEAR! As in SEER! Cause he can SEE the dead!! Get it!!?!?!? Oy.
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Let me get this straight. If the movie is great, it's "staggeringly brilliant." If it's good, it's "stunningly brilliant." And if it's just OK, the flick is "absolutely brilliant." Is a rational POV out of the question, despite your grief at having been overexposed to Russo's lethal weapons?
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I'm still amazed by the accolades being heaped on THE IRON GIANT. Harry? I love the guy, but sometimes his enthusiasm for filmgoing let him pass some questionable stuff (i.e., Godzilla). Robogeek? More discerning, though with a few odd calls. But when even Moriarty praises soemthing, I do sit up and take notice, especially when it's in such lavish terms. And then I open up my Kansas City Star this a.m. and find they've given it 4 stars, which is a first this year, I believe. Can they all be wrong? Only one way to find out. Fair Titania is out of town tonight, so it appears a double header of THE IRON GIANT and SIXTH SENSE is in order, as she has little interest in these but much in THE THOMAS CROWN AFFAIR and MYSTERY MEN, and I don't wish to be sleeping on the deck. Regardless, it looks to be one of the best movie weeks this year, doesn't it?
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I'm willing to bet that in ten years almost all of the people that presently hate the phantom menace will like it.
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I have seen both The Sixth Sense, and The Iron Giant. Personally, I thought both movies were fantastic.
Now, whether or not The Iron Giant is a timeless classic, that's not something I'm qualified to contend. But, I do believe that American animation may have something that can finally contend with such films as Wings of Honneamise (if you haven't seen this, I'd definitely recommend it). It's been thought out, and it's not trying to sell happy meals.
I saw the Sixth Sense quite a while ago (about 5 months ago), at a screening. Even with a few imperfections (at the time it took quite a while before we discovered what the kid's gift/curse was, which led to a few rough scenes that didn't help the movie), the movie was great. If you are easily confused, and don't like that moment of realization after something that you've been presented clues to is revealed, then skip it (and give me some fries with that burger). -
i know that this subject isn't even the point of this talk back,but cryptkeeper brought it up.PHANTOM MENACE WAS BAD!it was bad!whatever the reasons people have,:jarjar pleseant as lobotmy,anakin couldn't act his way outta paper sack,etc.etc.etc.they are all subjective.WE all know the movie is bad!when people on talkback can come up with stronger plot points than the movie they are discussing you know it's BAD!!
but enough of this subject lets put it to bed.all together now:"STAR WARS SUCKED!"p.s why is renne russo running around showing off her jubbles in
in the tcrown affair?isn't she a big enough 'star' not to do that!?oh well PEACE,LOVE,and HAIRGREASE! i'm off like a prom dress. -
Go watch the matrix for the billionth time and then come talk bad about phantom menace and plot lines! You wait 16 years for another SW movie and then come talk about it sucking... You guys are fucking nuts! That movie (SW)was so saturated in detail if fulfilled all my SW wet dreams! ....besides that, PROPS TO CRYPTKEEPER for stating the truth! In ten years after the "Dark" episode 3 and all 3 new movies are wrapped up with all the info you'll all be in love with all of it! go watch Kid frosty on MTV or limp biscuit or something..Dude, Rock on! dang dege dang de dang a dang digee...duh....
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so does anyone know when the toys will be out? i've seen them advertised in my local comic shop, but there was no date. I MUST have a figure of the bowler!
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THe myth of STAR WARS is finished!!!!!!!!!.complete kiddie crap!!!!!!!!!!!.EYES WIDE is boring crap.
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I'm willing to bet that TPM will weigh down the Star Wars series and allow us to realize just how overrated this series is. The people who liked the movie are just too obsessed with Star Wars to admit that the movie could possibly suck.
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With all the gushing that goes on around here, I suppose it's only appropriate that this site originates in Texas. Harry, if you ever consider changing servers, I'm sure there are some in Yellowstone National Park (the home of Old Faithful) that would be happy to help you out. Save me! Throw me a life preserver! I'm drowning in accolades!
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Gotta add my voice here yet again- Iron Giant is as good if not better than you've been hearing. The Miyazaki comparison is apt. IG makes all those recent Disney films look even more hollow and commercial in retrospect. When the 40 year old dads in the audience have to take their glasses off and wipe their eyes when the movie ends, you know it's something special. Sixth Sense note- has Orson Scott Card seen Sixth Sense yet? Young Master Osment would kick li'l Anakin's ass as Ender.
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What geek among us has the audacity to complain about Rene Russo showing off her breasts for twenty minutes? Hypocrisy, thy name is Robogeek. ;P
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Like a lot of the people on this site, I use Harry and Ebert as my filters to strain out lame movies and catch the good stuff. I'm sort of disappointed that Ebert reviewed Iron Giant at 3 and 1/2 rather than 4 (which Tarzan got). I was hopeful that IG could get a push from a 4 star Ebert call. Let's face it, IG is doomed to fail financially, and end up mouldering in the 'Children's' section at Blockbuster and Hollywood video. Only we nerds will ever know it was good.
-MONKEE FEESH -
Just got back from the Thomas Crown Affair. Great movie... have to agree with Robo though, it's the "Diet Coke of James Bond." I still want to see Mystery Men, Sixth Sense, and Iron Giant as well. Anyway, what the hell is it with people trash talking other movies in a talk back about this weekend. I for one don't care if you liked TPM, EWS, or not. Get over it. You don't like, some people did (like myself). Don't shove your dislike of a movie in other's faces. It's their perogotive to like it or not. However, I digress. I hope IG is as good as people say it is, because being a fan of japanimation (Wings of Honnemaise, Macross Plus, Ninja Scroll, and Ghost in the Shell being some of my favorites) I'd like to see an American animation live up to the excellent animation of the Japanese. Baron out.
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i don't know why people pit matrix against star wars:ep1.they fit into the same catagory, overated CGI-laden CRAP!!!!
both movies were a tremendous waste
of celluoid and time!i saw matrix unaware of the hype opening weekend and wrote it off as whut it was,another unimaganitive piece of shit off the hollywood assembly line.(OOOH WE'RE DOING THE SAME THING YOU'VE SEEN IN A SHITLOAD OF HK MOVIES AND PASSING IT OFF AS OUR OWN!HOW INNOVATIVE!)
i saw star wars ep:1 aware of the hype (how could you not)and was sorly disapointed!i am a HUGE starwars fan and could not STAND the NEW one!!!i gave the movie chances all the way up to the"now this is pod racing line!"how could you not wince at that line let alone the rest of the shit that lucas shoveled on the screen during this movie!c'mon y'all!!!the kid greedo?!whut the HELL was that?!the blatant stereotypes in space!?a plot that even a new born babe would frown at?!!!everyone says that lucas is setting us up for the next 2,and then we'll get it.GET WHUT???he didn't write EMPIRE or JEDI,he barly wrote STAR WARS FOR PETE'S SAKE!!!HE HAD TWO GHOSTWRITERS ON THAT ONE!the SAME writers that helped him polish up the AMERICAN GRAFFITI script!the only movies that he wrote are THX and EP:1 look at them both and you'll see lucas for whut he is:a fine director with a piss poor writer trapped within.
p.s.why are all seventies "auters"making bad sequels?EASY RIDER 2?GODFATHER 4$$$? -
Hee hee I love it when Martin Landau says that in Ed Wood! Is there still a copy of "I changed my sex" out there? I'd rent it just to see Bela Legosi say that!
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I just saw it, and I have to say that I'm glad this summer is finally turning out to have a few non- disapointing movies. You know how theres been this big thing in the 90s with a bunch of movies with cool stuff in them, but they just don't pull it together, or they just don't have a climax? Well this movie finally breaks that mold. It's solid through, and through. And the surprise ending pulls the resolution together even tighter. I was relieved to exit the theater having had all my expectaions met. there have just been so many let downs this summer. And I even loved Star Wars. Any way
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I thought it was moving, but I had a few problems with the direction and plot strcuture. This is a little harsh, but it makes some good points about the movie.
http://www.salonmagazine.com/ent/movies/review/1999/08/06/sixth/index.html -
The only big problem with TPM was the anti-climatic score. Or maybe it just wasn't loud enough in key scenes. Anyone agree? If you have the right sound equipment, turn down just the soundtrack on ANH. The movie loses at least 2/3 of its' 'punch'! And all the silliness seems so much more prominent. The only 'catchy' song is duel of the fates. I hope Lucas does a special edition and mixes in some of the original tunes, or at least turns up the volume in key scenes so we can actually hear it. For an improved Ep.2, Lucas should 1)write a plot outline but let a pro writer do the rest; 2) give John Williams more time to compose something brilliant; 3) pay more attention to sound levels. Oh, and 4) comic sidekicks are actually OK, just don't write them as slapstick clowns that make the 3 stooges look like Greek philosophers. ( Yoda as comic relief in ESB--not slapstick, good! Ewoks and JarJar....um....) By the way, the kid from 6th sense was amazing, too bad he wasn't chosen for the part of Annakin...
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Didn't read comic books as a kid?!?!?!? What kind of warped upbringing did you have? Just kidding. I love E.T. as well, and I really can't say whether Iron Giant was better or not. But, dammit, I WAS Hogarth. I had far more in in common with Hogarth than I did with Elliott. That's why I love iron Giant so much. I genuinely think that a Best Picture nom is in order here.
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Go see the 6th Sense!! I saw it last night, after missing an earlier show due to it being sold out. Hopefully it can make some money, as it is better than Blair Witch. Although it may not even be in the same in the same genre as BWP. I would have to give that Osment (Forrest Jr.) kid an Oscar for what he did in this movie. Now I'm off to see Thomas Crown Affair just to see Renee Russo's tits!!
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I agree basically with your review of this movie except in one key area. I thought the sex scenes between Russo and Brosnan were some of the most erotic yet tasteful that I have seen. I find most scenes of this type embarassing and not too realistic.
However, unlike you, I thought that the casualness of the Russo topless scenes after the sex to be extremely true to life...at least in my experience. The scene of her topless on the beach the next morning at his resort in Mauritius reminded me of some mornings on the beach in the Bahamas or in Cabo that I have experienced. So I found her casual toplessness to definitely fit into the flow of the film.
And I think that her going soft after a night of sex is also realistic. She was falling in love with the guy which changed a lot about how she felt about what he did.
I do have one question. Did I doze off and miss something or was the theft of the second painting left for us to wonder how he did it? -
The Iron Giant was 'pretty' good. NOT equal to "My Neighbor Totoro" in most aspects. If IG reaches or exceeds any facet of MNT, it is in the ending--just when I thought the film had passed its emotional height, as the Giant says 'Superman', I was hit even harder by his resurrection, which echoed the theme of the eternal soul dealt with earlier. MNT, on the other hand, has a weaker ending, like The Rescuers (should have focused more strongly on the salvation of May, and in turn, the girls' mother--likewise with Penny). But Miyazaki's film is FAR above IG in most ways. First of all, the character animation: most of it stunk in IG. Especially the running. What is it with lame running animation? The first time I REALLY noticed it was with Aladdin running through the cave of wonders, and ever since then, it's like a curse on films. The best success recently was in "Anastasia", but it was obviously guided by live-action footage--not exactly rotoscoped, but... well, if it wasn't, it was very observant. Anyway, most of the character animation in IG consisted of stock movements that looked ripped off from a Walter Foster How-To book--very generic-looking, cliche squash-and-stretches. The characters didn't act, but relied on your basic 'bugged eyes means I'm panicked or livid; drooping eyelids means I'm sly or condescending; etc'. Don't get me wrong--there were moments of 'brilliance' (by our LOW, modern standards), such as Hogarth's prayer (great restraint of mom), and with practically all the Giant's scenes (because he didn't have a human face, they were forced to be creative).
I'll stop, saying: Bird is no Miyazaki. Go get "Castle of Cagliostro." IG is not the best animated film of late, just better than "Quest for Camelot", "Hercules", "Pocahontas", and a couple others. It could have been a LOT better with better character animation, designs (except the Giant), color schemes, and much less preaching. -
Just yesterday I paid the cheap ticket price to see Mystery Men. I do have to say that this filmm is great. All the actors from Stiller to Macy to Garafolo. Do a great job as a bunch of wanna-be supereros. The film makes great observations about themselves. Such as the fact that Mr.Furious(Stiller) Points out to the Blue Raja (Azaria) That there is absoultly no blue on his costume. In this era of movie making where Batman&Robin has killled many Comic Book films. I have to say that Mystery Men is heck of great film. Also another great scene is that when the group comes to rescue Captian Amazing. The blue Raja actually kills him. The only problem I have to say is the fact there is the ecessive use of close ups. But all and all the film is something I would see twice, possibly even three times. That is something I haven't done yet.( By the way if you are wondering why I choose the name Redball is because of litle show called Homicide: Life on the street. If you have seen a few episodes you'll know what the term means.)
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So the theater fills up with kids raging from the one to ten year old crowd just as the previews start and I wonder if the parents can keep their kids quiet as the movie plays. So the movie starts and the wonderful WB image emblazons the screen and we see
Sputnik satellite careening across the sky and the Iron Giant starts with the Iron Giant crash landing in the water. (Why not on land first? That is a very important part of the story! )
So the little kids talk at the beginning of the film when Hogarth, Mother, and Dean are introduced and here I sit expecting another tread of an animation story-and that is when the world changed for me.
The theater tykes made noise -laughter. Their parents laughed harder. The four adults in the front seat (ranging from ages thirty to fifty) were hooting it up and guess what? They did not have any kids with them!
I took my two little cousins to see IG and at first they were bored. Every five seconds they turned to me saying that they wanted to go home. But then THAT scene changed their mind. It's the scene that IG takes the kid on a roller coaster ride. I expected for her to tell me that they wanted to go home but they were enthralled for the rest of the picture.
Now if you are wondering if I really liked this picture? I do not like using the modifier"really" because in a sense it takes away from the strength of this movie. I RESPECT this film. I wish I had the oppurtune chance to work on this film. This is where American Animation should have been many years ago. I am glad that Brad Bird was old enough to be let to put his vision
on film. Why do I say "old enough." Because from past animated flicks, the ones at the helm were experienced old men who wanted to do things the only way they knew how. That's why Bluth left Disney and had one masterpiece with Nihm (Anastasia being an almost classic. I respected Brad Bird's work since I first saw Family Dog on Amazing Stories in 1986-I always wondered why he wasn't used more often. And then later on I see him work on the Simpson's and see his name as a consultant
and I realize why the Simpson's became as popular as they did.
I am saying this-heed my words- American Animation will change. What Brad Bird did with Iron Giant is the same as what
Lucas did with Star wars, Scorcese did with crime pictures, Tarantino with Cool Cinema, and Disney with the early days of Animation.
I want to see the Iron Giant again more than ever, more than I wanted to see Tarzan again which I did. This is the movie that gains respect for the
American animated film-Roger Rabbit,Beauty and the Beast and now the Iron Giant. Go see this movie now so you can tell your kids that you got to see it in the movies when it first came out. Watch how your future kids will think that you were cool for doing that!
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I just got back from seeing The Sixth Sence. Hence, I may have difficulty expressing my feelings in an organized manner lol. You have to see this movie. The ending was the clincher for it and until you see it you won't understand why people like it. Its brilliantly done and you shouldn't wait for a video on this one. Don't let anyone spoil this for you. And if you don't enjoy paranormal or horror films you should see it anyway.. you'll see why. When you get up from your chair at the movies you may be weak in the knees.. and not just from the horrible seating. -- G`Quon
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I saw The Sixth Sense last night and I have to say that it did not quite live up to my expectations. Bruce's performance was the best part of this film, and as a break-away from his previous action-packed junkers, it actually was somewhat interesting to watch.
The thing that is so FUNNY is the review I happened to read after seeing the film. Let's just say that the final paragraph left me in stiches and is in every way, shape or form...a director's WORST NIGHTMARE. I guess it's true that the tallest nail gets hammered first.
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This was the funniest article I've read in years about ANY film.
http://www.salon.com/ent/movies/review/1999/08/06/sixth/index.html
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