Gulliver's Travels (2010)

Travel writer Lemuel Gulliver takes an assignment in Bermuda but ends up on the island of Lilliput, where he towers over its tiny citizens.

Director:

Rob Letterman

Writers:

Joe Stillman (screenplay), Nicholas Stoller (screenplay)

Stars:

Jack Black, Emily Blunt, Jason Segel

3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jack Black	...	Lemuel Gulliver
Jason Segel	...	Horatio
Emily Blunt	...	Princess Mary
Amanda Peet	...	Darcy Silverman
Billy Connolly	...	King Theodore
Chris O'Dowd	...	General Edward
T.J. Miller	...	Dan
James Corden	...	Jinks
Catherine Tate	...	Queen Isabelle
Emmanuel Quatra	...	King Leopold
Olly Alexander	...	Prince August
Richard Laing	...	Nigel Travel Writer
David Sterne	...	Foreman
Stewart Scudamore	...	Blefuscian Captain
Jonathan Aris	...	Lilliputian Scientist

Storyline

Lemuel Gulliver (Jack Black) has been working in the mail room of a New York daily newspaper for the past ten years. Afraid to put himself out there, he considers himself a loser, as do all of his peers. One day, after having finally had enough, he decides to declare his love to the beautiful Darcy Silverman (Amanda Peet), the newspaper's travel editor and one of Gulliver's only friends, only to chicken out at the last minute and instead tell her that he'd like to try his hand at writing a column. Darcy accepts and sends him on an assignment to the Bermuda Triangle. There, Gulliver becomes shipwrecked and ends up on the island of Liliput, where he is twelve times taller than the tallest man. For the first time, Gulliver has people looking up to him.

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Plot Keywords:

reference to gulliver's travels | reference to gulliver | gulliver | close up of eye | close up of eyes | 

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Taglines:

Something big is going down

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Genres:

Adventure | Comedy | Family | Fantasy

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for brief rude humor, mild language and action

Did You Know?

Trivia

Although critics and audiences disliked it for being too gross and childish, the scene in which Gulliver saves the King from the fire in the palace by putting it out with urine is actually taken directly from Jonathan Swift's book. However, in the original novel, the person rescued in this manner is the Queen. The only other adaptation to include this scene is Gulliver's Travels (1996).

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Goofs

At the end of the movie, when the credits are shown like a newspaper, an impossible period of time is shown: June 20 2011 - June 3 2011.

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Quotes

King Theodore: Woah, inside castle voice please.

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Crazy Credits

The end credits are presented as part of newspaper clips from Gulliver's column. Surrounding the credits is actual text from the original novel by Jonathan Swift, and mentions some adventures from the book that are not featured in the movie, such as the encounters with the subhuman "yahoos".

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Alternate Versions

Also released in a 3D version.

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Connections

Featured in The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Episode #19.56 (2010)

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Soundtracks

Kiss
Written by Prince (as Prince Rogers Nelson)
Performed by Taylor Graves
Produced by John Kimbrough

User Reviews

There's nothing worth exploring in this traveller's tale

It's the holiday season, and everyone around you in a festive mood – or are they?

Well, you may want to count this Scrooge of a reviewer out, because he isn't a firm believer that tis' the season of giving. So when a movie as shamelessly commercial as this comes along, you can bet he is not going to be very kind in his review.

Based on the 18th century novel of the same name, this update sees a slacker mailroom clerk being transported to the land of Lilliput (yes, this is the original name of the mythical land in the novel) after messing up a travel assignment to the Bermuda Triangle. There, the giant (or Beast, as he is affectionately known to the locals), he becomes a hero to the little people, fighting villains and matchmaking a peasant and a princess. When a battle with a petty general goes awry, the roly poly backs out and cowers in fear.

Of course, you know this is only temporary - who would be in the mood for an un-happy ending during the festive season?

The filmmakers have aptly cast Jack Black in the role of Gulliver, given his larger than life personality. This is clearly the comedian's show, seeing how the camera focuses on his every single exaggerated facial expression and body gesture. Black has impressed us with his comedic talents in movies like the surprise hit School of Rock (2003) and the hilarious satire Tropic Thunder (2008). And who can miss his adorable persona in Kung Fu Panda (2008)? In his latest work which he also plays the executive producer role, Black effortlessly pulls of the portrayal of a lovable loser who you cannot bear to dislike.

He is joined by a capable cast including Amanda Peet (2012) who plays his love interest, Jason Segel (I Love You, Man) who plays a Lilliput resident, Emily Blunt (The Wolfman) who plays a Lilliput princess and Billy Connolly (The X Files: I Want to Believe) who plays a Lilliput king. As you have noticed by now, most of the actors play tiny people in this 88 minute movie. They all fare pretty well, but like all holiday movies, this isn't really what the audience is looking out for.

What is in place is the usual numbed down and logic deprived script which will not bother the casual viewer. What's more, since this movie is targeted at the family crowds, there is no need to sophisticate things. Hence, the filmmakers have every reason to throw in mindless pop culture references, ranging from Star Wars' Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker to Titanic's Jack and Rose. Also, you get to see Gulliver inspired posters and billboards which are at most mildly amusing. Unfortunately, these litters of chuckles do not contribute much to the story.

Director Rob Letterman (Monsters vs Aliens) have made use of green screen technology, and in a move that doesn't surprise anyone anymore, 3D technique to bring this tale to the big screen. We are pretty sure that when Jonathan Swift wrote the original novel in 1726, the satire was supposed to bring out certain traits of human nature. After countless adaptations, this message has become a diluted affair with nothing refreshing to offer except a couple of pointless chuckles.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 December 2010 (USA)

Also Known As:

Gulliver's Travels

Filming Locations:

Ashridge Park, Little Gaddesden, Hertfordshire, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$112,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$6,307,691, 26 December 2010

Gross USA:

$42,779,261

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$237,382,724

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox, Dune Entertainment, Davis Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

85 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby (Dolby 7.1 Surround Sound) DTS SDDS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1