I honestly can't remember having this much fun while watching a movie. "Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow" is exciting, fun, and always intriguing. Kenny Conran's feature film debut is nothing short of brilliant. Melding together the most exciting elements of a 1940s film noir, an Indiana Jones adventure and a comic book, Conran comes up with a something unique and entertaining. Conran gets extra points for giving the film a sense of humor, narrative flash, and (most importantly) a good heart.
After several of the world's most renowned scientists start disappearing, it is up to daring pilot, Joe 'Sky Captain' Sullivan (Jude Law), and tenacious reporter, Polly Perkins (Gwyneth Paltrow) to solve the mystery. Joe and Polly have had a torrid affair in the past, but if their going to save the world, they must learn to put aside their differences and work together. Along the way, they enlist the help of a tough, British commander (Angelina Jolie) and a genius mechanic (Giovanni Ribisi).
Jude Law and Gwyneth Paltrow (both of whom starred opposite each other in 1999's mesmerizing thriller, "The Talented Mr. Ripley") once again have terrific chemistry as Joe and Polly, respectively. Law, who was recently named People Magazine's Most Beautiful Person, is dashing in the title role. Unlike Ben Affleck's flat Daredevil, Law breathes life and charisma into a role that may or may not seem archetypical on the page. Paltrow, who previously gave vastly underrated turns in "...Ripley", "Shallow Hal", "The Royal Tenenbaums", and "Sylvia", is especially good. The latter film should have merited Paltrow an Oscar nomination, but I digress. She is adorable, and seems to have stepped out of the period in which the film takes place. Angelina Jolie all but steals the show as Frankie Cook, the tough British commander. Her role is little more than an extended cameo, but Jolie seems to have a great time while it lasts. Bai Ling is appropriately threatening and mysterious as the... Mysterious Woman. Finally, Giovanni Ribisi is very likable as Dex, Joe's genius sidekick.
At the beginning of the year, I heard vague remarks about a film being made entirely on a computer. I was skeptical at first, as there was some previous concern in Hollywood about CGI figures permanently replacing live actors. How could it possibly turn out? This type of film can go either way: It can either be a masterpiece, or it can be a horrendous piece of celluloid. It is the former because of the way that Conran and the cast carefully walk the line between fantasy and reality. Furthermore, many of the charming exchanges between Joe and Polly ring true, and further develop their characters. In one humorous scene, Polly begins to cry after she realizes that she has accidentally taken a picture of her feet. What does Joe do? He laughs at her. That is what I paid for; I paid to be entertained. Using characters that we like, and situations that interest us, we are pulled into the world of robots, nifty gadgets, and evil scientists... and we buy it.
While many film directors work for years on end trying to make magic happen, Conran does it on his first outing, and then some. He keeps things moving at a brisk pace, never stopping for even so much as a glass of water. It all leads up to an exciting climax (and a disturbing cameo from the late Sir Laurence Olivier) in which one actually feels the magnitude of what is at stake. He caps the film off with a hilarious, perfectly time ending. The last 30 seconds of the film are irresistible, and I don't believe I could possibly think of anything better.
Unfortunately, this is not a film for everyone. Those with narrow tastes may find the whiz-bang shenanigans of Joe and Polly tiresome. Just look at the title. If it sounds appealing to you, you'll probably love it. If not... Well, you know the rest. The film looks, and sounds, amazing. It leaves the audience with an adrenaline rush, and a silly smile on their face. At the risk of sounding unpopular, "Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow" is the most entertaining film I have seen all year. In fact, I'd compare it to "Raiders of the Lost Ark". Unfortunately, Conran's vision will probably go unnoticed by the critics and the Academy, come late winter.
After several of the world's most renowned scientists start disappearing, it is up to daring pilot, Joe 'Sky Captain' Sullivan (Jude Law), and tenacious reporter, Polly Perkins (Gwyneth Paltrow) to solve the mystery. Joe and Polly have had a torrid affair in the past, but if their going to save the world, they must learn to put aside their differences and work together. Along the way, they enlist the help of a tough, British commander (Angelina Jolie) and a genius mechanic (Giovanni Ribisi).
Jude Law and Gwyneth Paltrow (both of whom starred opposite each other in 1999's mesmerizing thriller, "The Talented Mr. Ripley") once again have terrific chemistry as Joe and Polly, respectively. Law, who was recently named People Magazine's Most Beautiful Person, is dashing in the title role. Unlike Ben Affleck's flat Daredevil, Law breathes life and charisma into a role that may or may not seem archetypical on the page. Paltrow, who previously gave vastly underrated turns in "...Ripley", "Shallow Hal", "The Royal Tenenbaums", and "Sylvia", is especially good. The latter film should have merited Paltrow an Oscar nomination, but I digress. She is adorable, and seems to have stepped out of the period in which the film takes place. Angelina Jolie all but steals the show as Frankie Cook, the tough British commander. Her role is little more than an extended cameo, but Jolie seems to have a great time while it lasts. Bai Ling is appropriately threatening and mysterious as the... Mysterious Woman. Finally, Giovanni Ribisi is very likable as Dex, Joe's genius sidekick.
At the beginning of the year, I heard vague remarks about a film being made entirely on a computer. I was skeptical at first, as there was some previous concern in Hollywood about CGI figures permanently replacing live actors. How could it possibly turn out? This type of film can go either way: It can either be a masterpiece, or it can be a horrendous piece of celluloid. It is the former because of the way that Conran and the cast carefully walk the line between fantasy and reality. Furthermore, many of the charming exchanges between Joe and Polly ring true, and further develop their characters. In one humorous scene, Polly begins to cry after she realizes that she has accidentally taken a picture of her feet. What does Joe do? He laughs at her. That is what I paid for; I paid to be entertained. Using characters that we like, and situations that interest us, we are pulled into the world of robots, nifty gadgets, and evil scientists... and we buy it.
While many film directors work for years on end trying to make magic happen, Conran does it on his first outing, and then some. He keeps things moving at a brisk pace, never stopping for even so much as a glass of water. It all leads up to an exciting climax (and a disturbing cameo from the late Sir Laurence Olivier) in which one actually feels the magnitude of what is at stake. He caps the film off with a hilarious, perfectly time ending. The last 30 seconds of the film are irresistible, and I don't believe I could possibly think of anything better.
Unfortunately, this is not a film for everyone. Those with narrow tastes may find the whiz-bang shenanigans of Joe and Polly tiresome. Just look at the title. If it sounds appealing to you, you'll probably love it. If not... Well, you know the rest. The film looks, and sounds, amazing. It leaves the audience with an adrenaline rush, and a silly smile on their face. At the risk of sounding unpopular, "Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow" is the most entertaining film I have seen all year. In fact, I'd compare it to "Raiders of the Lost Ark". Unfortunately, Conran's vision will probably go unnoticed by the critics and the Academy, come late winter.