CORPORATE LINE: Famous scientists around the world have mysteriously disappeared and Chronicle reporter Polly Perkins (Gwyneth Paltrow) along with ace aviator Sky Captain (Jude Law) are on the investigation. Risking their lives as they travel to exotic places around the world, can the fearless duo stop Dr. Totenkopf, the evil mastermind behind a plot to destroy the earth? Aided by Franky Cook (Angelina Jolie), commander of an all-female amphibious squadron, and technical genius Dex (Giovanni Ribisi), Polly and Sky Captain may be our planet’s only hope.
THE GOOD: “Sky Captain” is fantastic. The cinematography. The excitement. The story. The imagination. There is very little you won’t love. The muted colors and a style that smells of nostalgia with scenes airbrushed like old black and white photographs. “Sky Captain” is a gorgeous film to behold.
The imagination and invention isn’t unique as it is straight out of old comic books, old sci-fi films, and all things past—including old romantic comedies. The robots are brilliant in their terror and destructive. “Sky Captain” isn’t about silly one-liners and doesn’t suffer from weak dialogue. The writing is smart and does a great job in masking its tongue-in-cheek.
Jude Law is perfect as the hero and Gwyneth Paltrow nails the noisy, ambitious reporter. Their chemistry drives this film even when the robots aren’t on screen. If you’re going to see Angelina Jolie you’ll be disappointed as she shows up at the end.
THE BAD: It had to end.
DVD FEATURES: First up are the two commentaries. Director Kerry Conran offers nothing worth watching. Producer Jon Avnet’s commentary isn’t much betterwhy weren’t these two doing a commentary together? It’s senseless.
The featurette Brave New World is split in two but is really the making of Sky Captain and how the film was created. In “The Art of the World of Tomorrow” production designer Kevin Conran goes through sketches to show how they created the film. Included is the original 6 minute short made by Kerry Conran.
FRANKLY: “Sky Captain” will leave you cheering! We must demand a sequel! “Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow” is easily the film of the year.
+ Charlie Craine
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