“Imagine a place where nothing is impossible…” George Clooney heads the cast of “Tomorrowland and our J.P. has his take on the Disney film.
TOMORROWLAND
Rating: PG
U.S. Released date: May 22, 2015
Running time: 130 min.
Cast: George Clooney, Hugh Laurie, Britt Robertson, Raffey Cassidy, Tim McGraw, Kathryn Hahn, Keegan-Michael Key, Thomas Robinson
Director: Brad Bird
Producers: Damon Lindelof, Brad Bird, Jeffrey Chernov
Studio Synopsis:
From Disney comes two-time Oscar® winner Brad Bird’s riveting, mystery adventure “Tomorrowland,” starring Academy Award® winner George Clooney. Bound by a shared destiny, former boy-genius Frank (Clooney), jaded by disillusionment, and Casey (Britt Robertson), a bright, optimistic teen bursting with scientific curiosity, embark on a danger-filled mission to unearth the secrets of an enigmatic place somewhere in time and space known only as “Tomorrowland.” What they must do there changes the world—and them—forever. Featuring a screenplay by “Lost” writer and co-creator Damon Lindelof and Brad Bird, from a story by Lindelof & Bird & Jeff Jensen, “Tomorrowland” promises to take audiences on a thrill ride of nonstop adventures through new dimensions that have only been dreamed of.
J.P.’s Take:
With all the post-apocalyptic havoc popping up in theaters these days, there aren’t many flicks that hinge on fulfilling dreams. Disney knows its market pretty well and releases a family oriented cinematic theme park attraction that is “Tomorrowland.”
To some degree, it is a small glimmer of hope for family adventures, which ride the waves of emotions like a rollercoaster. It begins with bright-eyed optimism, telling the account of a young aspiring inventor named Frank Walker (Thomas Robinson), who creates a jetpack to impress scientist David Nix (Huge Laurie). When Frank visits the 1964 World’s Fair, he meets his idol, Nix, yet is rejected when his jetpack failed to operate correctly. By David’s side is a sparky young girl named Athena (“Snow White and the Huntsman’s” Raffey Cassidy), who observes this incident and gives Frank a little encouragement. After Frank leaves the science expo in disappointment, Athena follows suit and tips him off to a place where he can realize his full potential. Before we know it, he’s whisked off to this highly advanced future world with extraordinary possibilities.
Writer/director Brad Bird (“The Incredibles,” “Ratatouille,” “Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol”) makes great use of his special effects crew, creating a Jetsons’ like atmosphere teaming with fun futuristic landscapes and gadgetry. Before all this wondrous material transpires, the older more cynical Frank Walker (George Clooney) greets us. The one who lives in the real world, who lives as a recluse and who no longer believes in that bright future. It’s not until a spunky teen named Casey Newton (“Under the Dome’s” Britt Robertson), with a mind for the scientific steps in to try to save the day. She encounters Athena much the same way Frank did when he was a kid. The intriguing thing is Athena is still a kid. That will raise questions. The two of them set off on a wild expedition together to track down Frank Walker. If they can convince him to help, they may be able to save this alternative future from destruction. This is the future Frank has traveled to long ago, the very same future Casey catches a glimpse of; by touching a pin found in her belongings after a night in jail.
Bird and writers Damon Lindeloff (“Lost,” “Prometheus,” “World War Z”) and Jeff Jensen did their best to etch out an energetic playful tale of optimism. Yet the plot turns grim, while it tackles world catastrophe and tries to make it whimsical.
In the first half, “Tomorrowland” does retain the same playfulness as Bird’s animated features; however, it becomes a showcase for the type of action-oriented clashes found in movies like “The Avengers.” You’ll come across humanoid robots bent on blasting everyone in sight, even Raffey’s role as Athena turns into a mini Terminator mid way in the film. Not that these scenes aren’t well executed, it’s just that they may overwhelm kiddie viewers easily. The subject may feel a little bleak, as it deals with global warming, war and overpopulation. It may fail to reach its true target audience there. Although viewers age 10 +, may have already braved such movies “The Avengers: Age of Ultron,” in which case “Tomorrowland” may not be such a big deal. However, I try to extract the positive out of the situation.
This film may very well spark conversation among parents and kids, because after all the message here is about realizing our hopes and dreams. Further, the problems that we face can be headed off if we simply work together to solve them. It’s an apparent message, yet it may get lost in all the clanging sound and special effects.
Part of me wonders would this film work better as an animation, seeing as Brad Bird won several awards for one of my favorite Pixar animations, “The Incredibles”. In all honesty, I didn’t feel this was a total disappointment, despite its tone.