Director: Brad Bird
By Alex Watson
So what exactly is Tomorrowland? That is the answer that movie fans have been seeking ever since the first teaser trailer hit. Well director, Brad Bird has brought us into a fascinating and visually arresting world. Along with co-writer Damon Lindelof, the story we are given is one that is funny and packed with interesting and provoking thoughts. Based against the theme of time, we are left to wonder what lies beyond in other dimensions. But importantly it poses some insightful theories of the future of humanity!
When teenager Casey (Britt Robertson) receives a strange button, she is briefly transported to another world called Tomorrowland, which is far different from her own. From this encounter, she will find herself coming into contact with teenage 'recruiter' Athena (Raffrey Cassidy) and a grouchy old scientist called Frank (George Clooney) who may just hold the key that they need to return to this land of wonder.
Capturing a rare sense of childhood wonder, Brad Bird succeeds in early on drawing the audience's attention and refuses to let it go. Beginning in 1964, when a young Frank makes a life changing visit to the 1964 World Fair, he is soon transported to Tomorrowland. Here is sets him up on a life changing encounter with leader David Nix (Hugh Laurie). But for reasons unknown we learn that he has been exiled from the world and has since shut himself away. By denying the world his knowledge, things are beginning to look bleak and a myserious countdown clock is constantly ticking. Casey in some sense, is the child that Frank was many moons ago. One who still believes in the possibility of the world improving and still feels wonder about what she is able to see.
All throughout this picture, there is a feel of an almost 80's blockbuster and Bird forgoes any type of dark feeling. Interestingly, there is never a clear cut villain and Bird keeps the possibility in the air that any one (including Athena or Frank) could well be an enemy. But smartly, the rug is pulled out from under us when the current Tomorrowland is presented to us. From here, there is a bleaker cloud is pulled over proceedings. Rather than bury the remainder of the film in self pity, Bird and Lindelof through one well scripted monologue from Nix bring about some interesting questions about the human appetite for chaos and destruction.
However, even through this is bright and shining adventure, it sadly beginning to run low on fuel in the final stretch. The principle issue with Tomorrowland is that apart from the grabbing visual aids, there is a gaping hole story wise. Casey's relationship with her NASA engineer father, is one more talked about than shown. Likewise Frank's fractured past relationship with Athena, we know that they had a falling out long ago, but we have only whispers and theories as to what actually happened. The real firing pin of the movie, is how Casey is single handedly allowing Frank to recaptured the hope and faith that he once had as his younger self.
Britt Robertson proves to be a real find as Casey and she allows the movie to revolve around her sense of likeability. Sporting a good sense of comic timing mixed with old fashioned optimism, Robertson makes Casey a fine Disney character. One to watch in future years, it is hard to believe that this lady is already 25! George Clooney is also in fine form as the grumpy old sod Frank, his loss of innocence and wonder works wonders and he is basically a project for Casey to remould back. Always a presence on screen, it has been some time since George has graced this type of blockbuster!
There are some minor gripes that some will have about Tomorrowland, but it is a picture that impossible to hate! Sporting some of the bright and breezy Disney feel of old, it is the first summer picture that is guaranteed to make both kids and adult smile!
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