(Scroll to the bottom for TL;DR)
Let me start by saying I've never read the books. However, the movie does well to set up the world that you are about to spend what feels like an eternity but also an hour, which in reality is 2h35m.
My main complaint being the pacing. Which, it seems is the main complaint for most and for good reason. The movie feels like it's trying hard to be half art/indie and half blockbuster. I'm familiar with Denis' other films and the former would make sense to me.
There are set pieces that are set up for the whole movie and then are ended in 30 seconds or less when you get to them. The whole scene with the barons "death" I thought was going to be more dramatic and intense but it was literally 15 seconds; meanwhile they spend so much time showing people flying around in those dragonfly ships that I still don't know the name of.
Visually, the movie is very dark. It is hard to see what is going on at some points. And I saw every shade of beige ever. However that means that the small amount of plant life you do get to see makes it that much more worth it. Which I suppose the idea is but I'm being nitpicky.
Also, do not go to this movie if you are hoping to see Javier, Bautista or Brolin for more than 5 minutes of screen time. I believe Bautista only had 2 or 3 lines and he's touted as a main character???
Negatives aside the movie is genuinely great to look at (when you can see what's going on). The visuals are amazing if you can get past how bland the color palette can be. Seeing some of the concept art from the film being made into "reality" was great!
Acting was great as well as you'd expect from the cast.
The soundtrack was AMAZING! It set the tone for scenes perfectly and it felt like It actually belonged in that universe. There were even bagpipes at one point!
Overall, I wouldn't say this is a defining sci fi modern classic by any means as some would suggest. It can be sluggish at points and too short at others. Beautiful but also bland. There is still another movie to see for the final verdict though and I will wait for it patiently.
My main complaint being the pacing. Which, it seems is the main complaint for most and for good reason. The movie feels like it's trying hard to be half art/indie and half blockbuster. I'm familiar with Denis' other films and the former would make sense to me.
There are set pieces that are set up for the whole movie and then are ended in 30 seconds or less when you get to them. The whole scene with the barons "death" I thought was going to be more dramatic and intense but it was literally 15 seconds; meanwhile they spend so much time showing people flying around in those dragonfly ships that I still don't know the name of.
Visually, the movie is very dark. It is hard to see what is going on at some points. And I saw every shade of beige ever. However that means that the small amount of plant life you do get to see makes it that much more worth it. Which I suppose the idea is but I'm being nitpicky.
Also, do not go to this movie if you are hoping to see Javier, Bautista or Brolin for more than 5 minutes of screen time. I believe Bautista only had 2 or 3 lines and he's touted as a main character???
Negatives aside the movie is genuinely great to look at (when you can see what's going on). The visuals are amazing if you can get past how bland the color palette can be. Seeing some of the concept art from the film being made into "reality" was great!
Acting was great as well as you'd expect from the cast.
The soundtrack was AMAZING! It set the tone for scenes perfectly and it felt like It actually belonged in that universe. There were even bagpipes at one point!
Overall, I wouldn't say this is a defining sci fi modern classic by any means as some would suggest. It can be sluggish at points and too short at others. Beautiful but also bland. There is still another movie to see for the final verdict though and I will wait for it patiently.
Tell Your Friends