Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow

crackers · #1 18th September 2004, 05:24 AM

Okay, if you're one or more of the following, you need to see this movie:

1) A "gearhead"
2) A fan of 1930's-style pulp fiction
3) A fan of Republic serials
4) Like Max Fleisher's "Superman" cartoons
5) Thought Max Headroom's set dressings were cool
6) Like the thought of Angelina Jolie in jodhpurs and an eyepatch

Quickie summary, no plot:
Jude Law is absolutely dashing, funny, and a hunk (from the wife). He plays "Sky Captain," the leader of a "mercenary army" (as one radio announcer voice-over tells us) - and is really a do-gooder. Gwennyth Paltrow, looking absolutely stunning in 1940's drag, is "Polly," basically a Lois Lane-type with a previous history with the Captain. Their byplay ranges all over the place to him wanting to shoot her to some real sexual tension. Ms. Jolie is "Frankie Cook" (Franchesca, actually), the Commander of a top-secret British amphibious squadron. Frankie has some real cojones! And also has a previous history with the good Captain...

The visual effects (which is basically anything that's not an actor!) are simply ... whoa... The sepia-ish tone kind of bothered me a bit in the beginning, but the good pacing of the plot and action made me forget all about it.

It's an extremely pleasant romp and well worth full box-office price.

mark · #2 19th September 2004, 02:05 AM

I noticed the advance stuff for this a few months back...the local (L.A.) reviews have been kinda mixed ("great FX, so-so script", etc.) - but what do they know? It sounds really neat to an old, pulp-science-fiction fan like myself - especially the bit where they "reanimate" (?) Sir Lawrence Olivier.

Thanks, crackers - I may have to go take in a first-run movie for the first time since LOTR - The Return of the King.

***ewdi*** · #3 19th September 2004, 02:10 AM

i think i'll watch it on tuesday since kind a packed tomorrow

Skeptical · #4 19th September 2004, 03:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ewdi

i think i'll watch it on tuesday since kind a packed tomorrow

Can't wait to see this movie.

crackers · #5 19th September 2004, 03:53 AM

As one reviewer put it (paraphrased): "It's a pulp-magazine plot - what did you expect? War and Peace?"

Another one starts off with something like "You better hope you don't have computer problems on Friday - the geeks won't be there to fix it. They're at the movies..."

sailor · #6 20th September 2004, 10:38 PM

I saw the trailer on tv and it kinda reminds me of "Crimson Skies" PC game...
reviews aren't so good ....

crackers · #7 21st September 2004, 04:23 AM

Most of the reviewers don't get it - it's not a 21st-century movie, with deep meanings, tortuous character development, and cartloads of angst. It's just supposed to be fun...

Scoob_E · #8 21st September 2004, 05:36 PM

great point crackers, saw it this past weekend and it blew me away. Yeh, its not a leave you thinking about <insert deep topic here> sort of movie... but I think that is one of the best parts about it. I know that after a long day at work, the last thing I want to do is go and think. I want to sit down with a tub of popcorn, a bucket of soda, my fiance (not listed in order of importance) and just enjoy myself for an hour or two...

In short... go see it... its a great movie, the reviewers have there heads to far up their collective @$$es to relize that sometimes movies are just supposed to be fun.

just my .02
Scoob

CrystalCowboy · #9 21st September 2004, 07:46 PM

I saw it and enjoyed it. Sure there were plot holes, but I was entertained enough not to spend time looking for them. I especially enjoyed the last line.

IMNSHO the best movie so far this year is Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.
"technically, it is brain damage."

crackers · #10 22nd September 2004, 03:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrystalCowboy

I especially enjoyed the last line.

Both the wife and I busted out laughing! It was the perfect "capper" ...

CrystalCowboy · #11 23rd September 2004, 08:45 PM

I don't care how water-tight your airplane is, or whether your propulsion system works underwater; slamming into a body of water at ~ 500 knots is going to kill you.

crackers · #12 24th September 2004, 05:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrystalCowboy

slamming into a body of water at ~ 500 knots is going to kill you.

P40's couldn't do 500 knots, by the way. I think they topped around 300...

CrystalCowboy · #13 24th September 2004, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crackers

P40's couldn't do 500 knots, by the way. I think they topped around 300...

In level flight, sure. Remember that they were plunging straight down. It also seems probable that his machine wasn't a stock P40, but was 'enhanced' by Dex.

Not that it matters, I'm pretty sure hitting a wall of water at 300 knots would be more than enough to make you dead.

Ug · #14 24th September 2004, 06:56 PM

By the time it is released in the UK, it'll be about to come out on DVD in the US. *sigh*

crackers · #15 25th September 2004, 04:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrystalCowboy

Not that it matters, I'm pretty sure hitting a wall of water at 300 knots would be more than enough to make you dead.

Well, yessssssssssssss.... However, if that's your only quibble, you missed about 15 more before we even got to that point. I, personally, was well into suspending disbelief...

And, Ug, my friend - don't fret. It's well worth it!