In 1939 New York, reporter Polly Perkins (Gwyneth Paltrow) follows
a story about missing scientists and is forced to work with ex Joe
Sullivan, a.k.a. Sky Captain (Jude Law), a hero for hire. With a
team that helps he and Polly uncover what famous Scientist named
Totenkopf is up to.
CRITIQUE
Many established filmmakers today list old action-adventure serials as
an influence on their work, but none have actively tried to recreate
them as closely in visual style as Kerry Conran has. Sky Captain
and the World of Tomorrow is an amazing technological feat and
entertaining, despite a flawed script.
The plot of Sky Captain is where most critics will find fault
and a bit in the characterizations. I understand these complaints: the
audience may ask how the scientists started going missing if Totenkopf
is actually dead and his henchwoman is a robot? Or why Polly,
presented as a seasoned reporter, makes such novice mistakes as losing
film, shooting the ground, and forgetting to take off the lens cap of
her camera? (Do I detect a bit of misogyny?) This aside, though, the
action and bickering romance is more than enough to satisfy for under
two hours. Love the moment where Joe kisses Polly as they think he is
going to his death, then he knocks her out with a punch to keep her
from following him.
The real achievement here is the visual style. Conran along with his
brother and a top-notch effects team computer-generated nearly
everything onscreen, even down to the color palette. The result is a
film that looks spiffy-new but classic Hollywood at the same time.
Some great visuals come out of it, too. (Check out Shangri-La.) The
computer effects are so advanced, a certain deceased legendary actor
can now briefly appear as Totenkopf. I also love the influence of The
Wizard of Oz.
The performers seem to be having great fun and tailored their work to
the tone of the time period. Law is excellently cast as the dashing
hero, Paltrow is spunky and works well with him, while Jolie grates
less than usual. A treat is Giovanni Ribisi as technical whiz Dex as
he is always fun to watch.
THE VIDEO
The exceptional computer imagery is preserved very well in the
anamorphic widescreen presentation on this DVD.
THE AUDIO
The sounds of the film are presented clearly in Dolby Digital 5.1
Surround Sound. Also offered is a French language track and English
and Spanish subtitles.
THE EXTRAS
Audio Commentaries:
Two commentary tracks are included on this disc: one from producer Jon
Avnet, and one from director/writer Conran and two visual effects
supervisors, Steve Yamamoto and Darin Hollings. Avnet does an adequate
job on his own, though he likes to concentrate on the problems the
production faced to an unnecessary extent. The other track doesn't
reveal as much interesting information as it could and you frequently
can't tell who of Yamamoto or Hollings is speaking. One listen would
be worth the time, though.
“Brave New World”:
This two-part and nearly hour-long making-of documentary is quite
interesting, covering the pitch the Conran brothers made, the filming,
and the extensive computer work, with the usual interviews and
behind-the-scenes footage. It's nice to see the footage of the actors
completely surrounded by blue screen so the achievement of the
computer-imagery really hits home. This is above average for a
making-of.
The Art of The World of Tomorrow:
Kevin Conran discusses his work in the look of the film, both
production design and the costuming. For example, he talks about the
design of the robots in the film's beginning and the Stella McCartney
suit Paltrow is dressed in.
Deleted Scenes:
There are only two included, one which might have cleared up a little
of the plot for some if it had been included. It is in finished form,
while the other was in rough form and some of the dialogue was
incorporated in other scenes. Fun to watch once.
Original Six-Minute Short:
This is the piece the Conran brothers, mainly director Kerry, put
together for years on a computer to later use as part of their pitch.
Only the beginning of the film is included and it's less polished than
the finished film, of course, but a lot of what the finished film's
opening looks like is there. Fun to see.
Gag Reel:
A short, kind of funny outtakes reel. I've seen better.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Revolutionary technically and fun to watch as an evocation of serials
of the '30s and '40s, Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow is an
entertaining film, though not great. Its real excellence is its look,
the result of production design carried out perfectly with CGI. The
DVD adds to the experience with good extras you wish there were more
of.
