'Tomorrowland' is unquestionably a two hour long commercial for Disneyland....but don't let that put you off, because, here's the thing... it's actually quite good. It's a refreshingly optimistic, inventive and original movie. It's inspiring, philosophical, has challenging themes and operates on dream logic. In other words - it's box office poison. Reputedly on course to lose Disney something in the region of 140 million dollars. The film has already been dismissed as this year's blockbuster turkey; this year's 'John Carter' or 'The Lone Ranger'.
But here's the thing, I loved 'John Carter' and I loved 'The Lone Ranger' (which I saw in a cinema full of kids who were totally enraptured by it.). It's like Disney are deliberately sending a film out each year just for me. Bless 'em. Whilst I'm not overly concerned for the mouse empire (they own Marvel and Star Wars amongst other assets so I think they'll be okay) it is a shame that superbly crafted films like these that offer something different can't find an audience. I guess people really do just want an endless succession of big eyed princesses singing show tune ballads and computer animated anthropomorphism.
Essentially the film explores that "Where's my jet-pack?" question. Where's the future of we were promised? Why is the 21st Century not as exciting as science-fiction told us it would be? What went wrong? Who's fault it?
The film provides plenty of answers, sometimes uncomfortable ones and wags it finger a little too much at the audience for it ever to become a hit. But if you're open to it, it's a great ride; entertaining, thrilling and thoughtful. And it shows us the jet packs.....and much more besides.
The plot is difficult film to summarise without making it sound silly and trite. Essentially it's about a teenage girl who comes into possession of a badge (or pin, if you're American) that gives her brief access to 'Tomorrowland', an advanced utopia full of awe and wonder. Interested parties steal the pin from her and she has to team up with grumpy old George Clooney to help her get back there and understand what's going on.
Britt Robertson is wonderful in this. Her heroine is a likeable, believable, girl next door struggling to stop her family from falling apart. She's feisty and capable, without having superhero traits, or teenage angst. She's just able look after herself and is a determinedly glass-half-full kind of person. She doesn't need to rescue a boy, or be rescued by one. There's another girl in this too, played by young actress Raffey Cassidy. She delivers a great performance as a sort of mini child Terminator. Great stuff. In other news, George Clooney is George Clooney and Hugh Laurie is Hugh Laurie. It would have been a more interesting film if their roles had been reversed, but even so, they're both good in this.
The film does lose it's way a little bit in the final act where it becomes a little bit confusing and a little bit repetitive (but that's true of most films these days). There's a fine emotional ending but dramatically it is a bit of a let down. The fault would seem to be with the writing. This is from the same scriptwriter as 'Prometheus' and it is similarly frustrating and great in equal parts. The direction is excellent though. Brad Bird again proves himself a great director of inventive action sequences. There is a "home invasion" scene that is as kinetic and breathless as anything in 'Mad Max:Fury Road'. The 'Tomorrowland' he creates is full of cinematic magic. It does the job of making you wish that this is a place you could actually visit.
It's unashamedly a message movie, but it's not heavy handed or patronising. Not to me, anyway. If anything it's like a kids' version of 'Interstellar' and there's nothing wrong with that. I guess it's too "Un-Disney" for most tastes. It certainly seems to too "socialist", too "green party wacko", too "lefty" for Americans to take. It is of course none of those things, just an impassioned plea for personal responsibility, optimism and change - served up with some stunning eye candy.
I don't suppose Disney will make anything like it again. I don't suppose anyone will. A shame.
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