Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow (2004)

After New York City receives a series of attacks from giant flying robots, a reporter teams up with a pilot in search of their origin, as well as the reason for the disappearances of famous scientists around the world.

Director:

Kerry Conran

Writer:

Kerry Conran

Stars:

Gwyneth Paltrow, Jude Law, Angelina Jolie

8 wins & 19 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Gwyneth Paltrow	...	Polly Perkins
Jude Law	...	Sky Captain
Giovanni Ribisi	...	Dex
Michael Gambon	...	Editor Paley
Bai Ling	...	Mysterious Woman
Omid Djalili	...	Kaji
Laurence Olivier	...	Dr. Totenkopf (archive footage) (as Sir Laurence Olivier)
Angelina Jolie	...	Franky
Trevor Baxter	...	Dr. Jennings
Julian Curry	...	Dr. Vargas
Peter Law	...	Dr. Kessler
Jon Rumney	...	German Scientist
Khan Bonfils	...	Creepy
Samta Gyatso	...	Scary
Louis Hilyer	...	Executive Officer

Storyline

In 1939, an intrepid reporter in New York City makes a connection between the story she's covering -- of famous scientists suddenly disappearing around the world, and a recent attack on the city by giant robots. Determined to find the solution to these happenings, she seeks the help of her ex-boyfriend, the captain of a mercenary legion of pilots. The two are investigating the case when the robots attack the city again, though in a stroke of luck, Sky Captain's right-hand man is able to locate their source. They then set off on an adventure in search of the evil mastermind behind these schemes, who is bent on creating a utopia and destroying the current world.

---

Plot Keywords:

expressionism | no opening credits | robot | scientist | reporter | 

---

Taglines:

Join the Resistance

---

Genres:

Action | Adventure | Mystery | Sci-Fi | Thriller

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for sequences of stylized sci-fi violence and brief mild language

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [UK] Official site [United States]

Country:

USA UK Italy

Language:

English Tibetan German

Release Date:

17 September 2004 (USA)

Also Known As:

The World of Tomorrow

Filming Locations:

Cardington, Bedfordshire, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$70,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$15,580,278, 19 September 2004, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$37,760,080, 19 December 2004

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures, Brooklyn Films II, Riff Raff Film Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

106 min

Sound Mix:

DTS-ES Dolby Digital EX

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The entire movie was shot against blue screen, with everything except the main characters computer generated. This was one of several movies to take that approach (although which was first is debatable), including: Immortal (2004), Casshern (2004), and Sin City (2005), the last of which shot on High-Definition digital cameras, like this movie. Because of the film being totally shot against blue screen rather than via orthodox locations and sets, filming was completed in just 29 days. Normally with sets and locations, filming could have taken the best part of a year to finish.

---

Goofs

In the scene where Joe and Frankie are talking to each other by radio from their "submarine planes," a buzz indicates that its a one way transmission and that they can only speak to each other one at a time. However, a moment later they both say "Protect the rabbits" at the same time.

---

Quotes

[first lines]
Hindenburg announcer: Attention. Please prepare for docking procedure.

---

Crazy Credits

The film's title is written in the sky, in large, steel letters extruding from the clouds at an angle. The opening credits are shown against a backdrop of an extreme close-up of the letters, and when it comes time for the title to show, the camera zooms out.

---

Connections

References Hindenburg Disaster Newsreel Footage (1937)

---

Soundtracks

Crystal Appears
by Herbert Stothart
Used by permission of EMI Feist Catalog Inc.

User Reviews

A truly unique film experience

You won't find many movies with the look of 'Sky Captain', the film has a style that is all its own.

Apparently set in the 1930s yet featuring technology most of us associate with a time in the 2030s, 'Sky Captain' does a good job of blending the old generation with the new. I really did like the glossy look of the visuals.

The story is not overly deep and I would have loved to see some more backstory development for some of the main players, but for what it is,the plot is easy enough to follow along too.

Jude Law and Gwyneth Paltrow have great chemistry together here and I'm glad things between them stayed constant through the film. I could write more here, but I won't spoil the ending for those who haven't seen it.

Despite the fact I enjoyed "Sky Captain", I am still thankful these films are the exception rather than the rule. I still prefer films with real (or at least partially real) sets and shooting locations. I've read comments here about the quality of the acting in this film and that's a pitfall for so-called "Blue screen films". Even a great actor has a challenge when standing against a blue screen and pretending to respond meaningfully to something that's not really there. The acting here isn't down right corny, but I believe if the key players had more real surroundings to play off of, the performances would have improved. I also think Angelina Jolie's "Frankie" character deserved more screen time.

'Sky Captain' is an interesting experiment and certainly a movie that will hold your attention for 90 or so minutes (the movie is pretty short in comparison to other blockbusters).

So, if you're curious, check it out, you likely will get something enjoyable out of it.