TOMORROWLAND   2.8**

           Sci-Fi is a genre with two opinions . You pretty much either love a Sci-Fi film or you hate it.  Rarely does it fall in the middle. But it just so happens that  Tomorrowland is a film that does fall in the middle. On the one hand, it's a visually stunning film that doesn't rely on mind-blowing special effects or spectacle. But on the other hand, there just wasn't a great story to back up the visuals. The message the film gives is inspiring, but the reality is that a film isn't good because of what it tells us to feel, but  it's whether or not it gets us to feel that way.

Britt Robertson as Casey, a brilliant, optimistic older teenager, stars with George Clooney as Frank Walker, also brilliant but disillusioned, two people with very similar objectives in their hope to save humanity, but Frank's idealism has been shattered . It's only when the two meet does his faith in a new beginning truly start. But as actors and characters, they both take a back seat to Raffy Cassidy who nails it as Athena, a super smart and super cute teenage robot  

The film sold itself in the trailer as a trip to a mysterious new world like we have never seen before, Tomorrowland. It’s a place where all imaginations can come to true.   But the letdown comes when it turns out you’re only in Tomorrowland for about 15 minutes. Most of the movie is taken up by Casey and Athena and eventually Frank  trying to get to Tomorrowland. So the trailer was something of a bait and switch.

 

Also, the viewer never has a clear picture of what the film is trying to say, and I don't think the filmmakers did either. In the  first 3/4s of the movie all we see is the main female characters, Casey and Athena running around the country until they find Frank ( George Clooney). When he comes into the picture there is a little more action, but really there is too much meandering about and not enough story development. The problems are not due to the acting. That is fairly decent, but actors can't compensate for a bad script.

 

I have to admit that despite the negatives, Tomorrowland kept me entertained. Its production design is deliciously retro. The special effects are very good and Britt Robertson brings  credibility and a likable performance as Casey.  George Clooney brings his usual conviction and charisma, and Raffey Cassidy is fascinating as Athena, the mysterious girl/robot.

 

I hope “tomorrow”  ends up being like the one imagined in this film... but, unfortunately it may end up being more similar to the one portrayed in “Mad Max: Fury Road”. ( I’ll be seeing and reviewing the Mad Max movie next).

 

This Disney film is rated PG… so the kids can go but may have a difficult time understanding the story…I did even though I’m an “older” kid.

 

Clark