Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow: feat. J Law, G Paltrow, A Jolie

Seeing the preview for this film gave me hope. It’s the best way to express it. An action movie in the style of Indiana Jones, set a roaring twenties-esque world, with dames, guns, bullets, and bombs. And giant robots. Heck, if Sky Captain would have had a sidekick monkey mascot, I would have given the film five stars based on the preview alone.

Alas, there were no monkeys.

But the movie was fun. The visual style was a bit distracting at times. I’ve never been a big fan of extensive green screen work, especially when it’s as noticeable as it can be here. Some of it works to great effect, giving the film a soft-lit, hand-painted feel, like watching a classic comic come to life. And sometimes, the actors imaginations weren’t living up to the visuals. How else to explain the relative calm with which Sky Captain and his cohorts watched massive explosions, death, and destruction? Perhaps it was a lack of explanation from the director.

The story needed work as well. A classic rule of thumb in action movies is that the villain must always be more entertaining than the hero. Look at the Nicholson’s unhinged Joker, Prowse and Jones’s ominous Darth Vader, That One Guy’s Mola Ram. You’ve gotta hate the bad guy. Laugh at his madness! Thrill at his cruelty! Wish unspeakable horrors upon him! Unfortunately, you don’t see the villain in this film. You see his mindless automatons. While they are imposing at first, they do little to make you feel any empathy for the heroes.

The performances saved this film. Jude Law and Gwyneth Paltrow walked a fine line between homage and scenery chewing with their “Gee-Johnny” delivery. And Angelina Jolie looked really hot, even with an eyepatch. They’re already talking sequel, and more Jolie, which should bolster sales.

Ultimately, the film pops along at a pace that should satisfy most hyperactive children, but will leave adults happily wondering where the plot was.

4 out of 5 stars