Tomorrowland (2015) Review

"Everyday is the opportunity for a better tomorrow"

Theme park rides and movies were always going to be an odd combination; how can something that lasts a mere few minutes ever be translated into a big screen epic that last two hours? Disney has had some success with Pirates of the Caribbean (you know, the one where Johnny Depp plays an eccentric hobo pirate), and failures with The Haunted Mansion (whose only redeemable feature was Inspector Lynley). So amidst much trepidation, Disney’s latest futuristic feature, Tomorrowland, flies into view, but does it sky rocket to success or fall to mediocrity?

 

Casey (Britt Robertson) and Athena (Raffey Cassidy). WB

Starring George Clooney and Britt Robertson, the film centres on a former boy genius, Frank Walker (Clooney), who teams up with a bubbly Casey (Robertson), and an animatronic robot girl, Athena (Raffey Cassidy), travelling to a futuristic dimension (“Tomorrowland”) where actions have severe consequences. Hugh Laurie also stars as the leader of this strange world, David Nix. Cassidy and Robertson make an energetic impact on the movie, with the former’s dead-pan delivery being one of the most memorable moments. Robertson’s goofy but likeable persona highlights her as one to watch, combining the rebelliousness and optimism of the character perfectly.

 

David Nix (Hugh Laurie) and Frank Walker (George Clooney). WB

It seems evident that Tomorrowland is Brad Bird’s baby, a product of passion and creativity with a sense of wistful optimism that can only come from something so innocent. The message of the film is an ode to ‘dreamers’, environmentalists and simply those who refuse to be pessimistic (careful folks, it can kill you apparently!) and this certainly isn’t a bad mantra to be projecting, giving audiences an opportunity to be invigorated.

Casey (Britt Robertson) in Tomorrowland. WB

Whilst Tomorrowland is admirable and ambitious in many aspects, it is weighed down by a certain unevenness in segments where you know something is going to happen, but it simply takes too long to do so. The 2 hours 10 minutes running time is vastly overstretched and the film could be greatly condensed which would garner a stronger impact, one where the narrative doesn’t lose its way amongst the first act only to be regained moving into the second.

 

Tommorowland. WB

Despite the few missteps, the film is still strikingly thought-provoking and innovatively designed, with a beautiful sense of imagination echoed through the vast landscapes and mesmerizing architecture. Set designs seemingly straight off a Disney theme park, that are surprisingly not overly cheesy or ‘fake’, Tomorrowland sticks to its original roots and shows that adaptations can be spectacular.