​FILMS

tomorrowland

2015 review number 81:

Tomorrowland: (Science Fiction/Action/Adventure): 65 out of 100: If you have been to Disneyland, you will be familiar with a section at the theme park called Tomorrowland. This sci-fi alternate dimension take on the future pays homage to this attraction and will appeal to viewers who appreciate stunning visuals rather than a solid and exciting plot.

 

George Clooney plays an inventor named Frank Walker who as a boy, attends an inventor's fair in 1964. There, he meets a young girl named Athena (Raffey Cassidy) who introduces him to a world that he is unfamiliar with, and one that he could change. Fast forward to the present and he is now an adult who receives an unexpected visit from a teenager named Casey Newton (Britt Robertson). She, like Frank, is able to see into the 'alternate universe' whenever she touches a special badge. It is Athena who draws Frank and Casey together to embark on a mission to unearth the secrets of a place somewhere in time and space which exists in their memory and the ultimate goal is to prevent humanity from extinction. They must confront Governor Nix (Hugh Laurie) who stands in their way and wants nature to run its course without interference.

 

If you are a fan of Clooney, you will appreciate his interpretation of a paranoid scientist. He shares many scenes with Robertson and they interact well together. Laurie add gravitas to his role as the governor. The movie is blessed to have two clear, authoritative speakers in Clooney and Laurie.

 

The premise is interesting although the story is hampered by a lot of explaining. All these explanations affect the interest level of the film to the point where there isn't much excitement and the suspense factor is virtually zero. It's a shame really, as director Brad Bird has directed some exciting films in his career such as The Incredibles and Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol.

 

Although there could be more action, the ideas generated are interesting. Yes, the explaining gives the overall movie a verbose feel, however one can't be helped but to listen to all the theories. For that reason, it would be difficult to be totally bored.

 

The standout feature would have to be the visual effects that are mainly of the CGI variety. There's also a lot of colour employed to keep the youngsters happy, although they wouldn't understand too much of the sci-fi element. Another positive attribute is the music score by Oscar winner Michael Giacchino, whose compositions will remind you of some of the music written by John Williams. When you hear those cymbals, brass instruments and timpani building to a crescendo, you can hear the Williams' influence.

 

Overall, Tomorrowland promises much more than it delivers. This could have been a sci-fi classic but the overload of explanations in the plot weighs it down. If someone asked me to describe the movie in one word, 'underwhelming' would readily come to mind.

(Reviewed on Tuesday 9th June, 2015)

 

Starring George Clooney, Hugh Laurie and Britt Robertson

(130 minutes)

Parental advice: Violence and coarse language

Additional scene during or after credits: Yes, during the credits there is some animation of the city but it is not related to the movie itself

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sH0__SpV88 (Movie trailer)

 

For my latest reviews, go to this link: http://mlaimlai2.wix.com/magical-movie-review