Director: Brad Bird
Cast: George Clooney, Hugh Laurie, Britt Robertson, Raffey Cassidy
Have I Seen It Before: I think it might have indeed been the last film I ever saw in 35mm outside of the Circle. There was definitely some grain there, and some cigarette holes.
I’ll admit that it might have been that the second-run theater* was really having some trouble with its digital projection.
Did I Like It: I’m kind of heartened to re-visit the film, if I’m being honest. It’s total failure means that I can sit, enjoy the film for what it is, have my opinions about it, and not have to engage in some kind of half-assed tribalism in the internet about it, and most importantly, I don’t have to sit through half a dozen sequels that have no rationale for existing beyond the fact that it’s been a few years since the last time we had a Tomorrowland film, and George Clooney would like to buy a new villa**.
That being said, I think there are some real reasons the film failed. It wants to have lofty ideas*** but only manages to put together a tame adventure story that pretty much ends exactly where you would think it was going as you’re watching the film’s first few minutes. Trying to grab the world’s problems with both hands is noble, sure, but if the last ten years have taught us anything****, its that focusing on what you think are the world’s problems to the exception of everything else tends to create new problems.
*Kids, ask your parents.
**I may still be working through some issues leftover from recently watching the Pirates of the Caribbean. Come to think of it, what other possible explanation would there be ofr making a point like that?
***If we broaden the definition of “lofty ideas” to include the gentlest possible version of Ayn Rand-ian self-absorption possible.
****Fairly confident we haven’t learned anything; call me an optimist.