Sky Captain And The World Of Tomorrow (2004) DVD Reviews

Starring	Jude Law, Gwyneth Paltrow, Angelina Jolie, Giovanni Ribisi
Director	Kerry Conran
Genres	Action/Adventure, Sci-Fi/Fantasy

Critics' reviews (3) of Sky Captain And The World Of Tomorrow
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You have to admire not just the vision, but also the perversity of writer/director Kerry Conran's use of the latest digital technology to create a hymn to Buck Rogers and all those other rugged-individualist heroes of comic books and cliffhanger serials. In some curiously imprecise era, people work in skyscrapers, ride in airships, and only one man can save the world when leading scientists start disappearing and cities are attacked by enormous robots — Joe Sullivan (Jude Law), aka Sky Captain, accompanied by erstwhile girlfriend and ace reporter Polly Perkins (Gwyneth Paltrow). What is most impressive is the way in which Conran has created the future as it was perceived back in the 1930s. However, despite being breathtakingly clever — the cast acted against a “blue-screen” and all the backgrounds were added digitally — this lacks the warmth and charm of Raiders of the Lost Ark, which attempted a similar exercise in nostalgia without the exclusive use of technology to achieve it.
- Radio Times
- Posted 29 Jan 2006
Based on 1930s pulp science fiction, a throwback to the future world of yesterday that, for all its visual cleverness has an inert narrative and cardboard characterization.
- Halliwell's Film Guide
- Posted 02 Mar 2006
Conrans disappointing 30s/40s-set comic-book adventure is an innovative amalgam of... read more on Time Out
- Time Out
- Posted 04 Nov 2008
Most helpful members' reviews (3) of Sky Captain And The World Of Tomorrow
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87 out of 113 people found this review helpful

An effects-driven mess

The world is under attack from giant robots! A number of scientists have mysteriously gone missing! Gwyneth Paltrow is being irretrievably stupid! Who on earth can save us now?

Don't worry folks, Joe 'Sky Captain' Sullivan(Jude Law) is on the case. In his gadget-laden jet he'll single-handedly shoot all the robots out of the sky and track down the brains behind this attack. Hopefully he can track down the brains behind this film too because 'Sky Captain' is a terrible mess. An awful mix of wooden acting, illogical storytelling and cack-handed direction.

All the talk in the build-up to this film has been about the unique way it was made. The entire film was shot on blue screen with all the sets and locations added later and within about 10 minutes it's clear that this is simply not going to work. The film has an ugly, fuzzy, washed-out look and the actors never interact with their surroundings; they stare in awe at the remarkable sights in front of them, but it never convinces.

This might not matter so much if the story held your attention long enough for you to not notice the visual flaws, but 'Sky Captain's' screenplay is another disaster zone. Writer-director Kerry Conran has produced a directionless story full of holes and ludicrous plot devices. He seems totally cluless when it comes to characters, dialogue, tension, anything that isn't connected to a computer.

Law, Paltrow and Angelina Jolie deliver performances which rank among the worst of their career, but I'd guess much of that is down to the way it was shot. The 'Star Wars' prequels have already demonstrated the damage this process can do to talented actors, and the dismal lines they have to come out with don't help matters much.

'Sky Captain' is a major disappointment. The trailers seemed to promise something a little different, but at the end of the day this is as soulless, flashy and (worst of all)dull as any summer blockbuster.
- - Philip Concannon from London
  - Posted 02 Oct 2004 21:53
24 out of 31 people found this review helpful

Retro magic

Something old given a 21st century revamp. A hankering back to the 30s and 40s action serials.

Very Buck Rogers /Flash Gordon/ detective /action story done in a retro style

The acting may seem a bit stilted but if you have seen any old serials its spot on. You don’t often see a lot giant robots in movies, apart from 'The Iron Giant' and Japanese anime, nice to see it done so well and good use of CGI.

Nice change from the usual rubbish coming out of Hollywood.
- - sadboy69 from tyne & wear
  - Posted 15 Jan 2005 18:00
24 out of 32 people found this review helpful

So much fun it hurts

This movie would never win any rewards of any kind. Shocking acting, ridiculous story and criminal miss-use of Miss Jolie.....but who cares. This is the most fun you can have on the sofa (with a movie anyway) on a typical English rainy day. The action is non stop and is nothing like anything you have seen before. Imagine a mix of Indiana Jones, Dick Tracy and the Iron Giant put through a large blender and you come close to the sheer lunacy of this movie. If you just sit back and try not to think about it, this movie does exactly what it says on the tin. How can underwater planes and dinosaurs in one movie be bad?. Also, this movie is ideal for kids who will be entertained from start to finish, though use caution as a couple of scenes may be considered a little scary for the very young.
- - Daniel Chishick from Reading England
  - Posted 08 May 2005 11:51
Most recent members' reviews (2) of Sky Captain And The World Of Tomorrow
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3 out of 3 people found this review helpful

Rubbish

Amazing special effects. Storyline pants. Also colour in film dubious.

VERY disappointed. Why not get a comic and read that, be just as exciting.
- - jotuk from Kent
  - Posted 25 Mar 2005 19:07
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful

Strange sci-fi, just about watchable

This moive seems a little like a live animation, from the visual (animations like CGI) to the acting. The script is very poor and struggles to entertain. The visuals is what I believe is off putting as it is cartoon like. The colours too very dull and lifeless. Very art-deco era, but strangley futuristic.

Jude Law and Paltrow are just poor in this and the little appearance from Jolie does little to life this very average film. It's a type of movie, when watched is either quickly forgotten about or ejected. I was almost the latter, but just barely hung on to see whether something exciting happens - sadly it does not.
- - f1mo from Greater London
  - Posted 12 Mar 2005 18:31

87 out of 113 people found this review helpful

An effects-driven mess

The world is under attack from giant robots! A number of scientists have mysteriously gone missing! Gwyneth Paltrow is being irretrievably stupid! Who on earth can save us now?

Don't worry folks, Joe 'Sky Captain' Sullivan(Jude Law) is on the case. In his gadget-laden jet he'll single-handedly shoot all the robots out of the sky and track down the brains behind this attack. Hopefully he can track down the brains behind this film too because 'Sky Captain' is a terrible mess. An awful mix of wooden acting, illogical storytelling and cack-handed direction.

All the talk in the build-up to this film has been about the unique way it was made. The entire film was shot on blue screen with all the sets and locations added later and within about 10 minutes it's clear that this is simply not going to work. The film has an ugly, fuzzy, washed-out look and the actors never interact with their surroundings; they stare in awe at the remarkable sights in front of them, but it never convinces.

This might not matter so much if the story held your attention long enough for you to not notice the visual flaws, but 'Sky Captain's' screenplay is another disaster zone. Writer-director Kerry Conran has produced a directionless story full of holes and ludicrous plot devices. He seems totally cluless when it comes to characters, dialogue, tension, anything that isn't connected to a computer.

Law, Paltrow and Angelina Jolie deliver performances which rank among the worst of their career, but I'd guess much of that is down to the way it was shot. The 'Star Wars' prequels have already demonstrated the damage this process can do to talented actors, and the dismal lines they have to come out with don't help matters much.

'Sky Captain' is a major disappointment. The trailers seemed to promise something a little different, but at the end of the day this is as soulless, flashy and (worst of all)dull as any summer blockbuster.
- - Philip Concannon from London
  - Posted 02 Oct 2004 21:53
24 out of 31 people found this review helpful

Retro magic

Something old given a 21st century revamp. A hankering back to the 30s and 40s action serials.

Very Buck Rogers /Flash Gordon/ detective /action story done in a retro style

The acting may seem a bit stilted but if you have seen any old serials its spot on. You don’t often see a lot giant robots in movies, apart from 'The Iron Giant' and Japanese anime, nice to see it done so well and good use of CGI.

Nice change from the usual rubbish coming out of Hollywood.
- - sadboy69 from tyne & wear
  - Posted 15 Jan 2005 18:00
24 out of 32 people found this review helpful

So much fun it hurts

This movie would never win any rewards of any kind. Shocking acting, ridiculous story and criminal miss-use of Miss Jolie.....but who cares. This is the most fun you can have on the sofa (with a movie anyway) on a typical English rainy day. The action is non stop and is nothing like anything you have seen before. Imagine a mix of Indiana Jones, Dick Tracy and the Iron Giant put through a large blender and you come close to the sheer lunacy of this movie. If you just sit back and try not to think about it, this movie does exactly what it says on the tin. How can underwater planes and dinosaurs in one movie be bad?. Also, this movie is ideal for kids who will be entertained from start to finish, though use caution as a couple of scenes may be considered a little scary for the very young.
- - Daniel Chishick from Reading England
  - Posted 08 May 2005 11:51
14 out of 20 people found this review helpful

Comic blast

Spiderman, Hellboy, Sky Captain - doesn't flow does it, - but if you miss this film you'll have missed a great roller-coaster ride through comic strip land aka 1930s. It's fun, action-packed and a good film - and, yes, it's for all the family!
- - A customer from Rugby
  - Posted 09 Mar 2005 18:22
9 out of 13 people found this review helpful

Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear!

I clicked on 1 stars by mistake! If you could review with o I would. don't waste an hour and a half on this rubbish. do something mor interesting like watch paint dry!
- - A customer from Dorset
  - Posted 12 Jan 2006 10:29
8 out of 10 people found this review helpful

Worth a try!

If you were a fan of the Indiana Jones films when you were younger, if you liked the dark genius of Gotham City or delighted in the comic book kitsch of Dick Tracy, then chances are you will quite like this!

It takes a bit of getting used to, the entire film was shot on blue screens with everything except the actors being CGI - and the juxtaposition between the 1930's fighter plane and futuristic robots sits a little oddly at first - but it doesn't take long before you are dragged along with the action.

I liked it, it is a fun, fast-paced, futuristic action adventure, not devoid of cheese, plot gaps and the odd dodgy line here and there, but still good fun.

Worth a try!
- - rachlikesrhythmfirst from West Yorkshire
  - Posted 06 Sep 2005 13:25
7 out of 8 people found this review helpful

Not sure what to make of this..

Having just sat through an hour and a half or so of Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow, I can't decide whether it's one of those films that's quite original and 'different', or just a complete load of rubbish!

Set in a sort of alternative 1930's, with it's action and plot leaning on the comic book / Saturday morning matinee, it's certainly innovative. With nearly all of the backdrops and sets being completely CGI, it has that kind of warm fuzzy feel you get with ropey special effects that don't seem quite real, and while I'm sure that one day all films will be made this way, perhaps the filmmakers would be better off honing their polygons to perfection before attempting something similar again.

Story is predictable but ok, acting is slightly wooden though this is probably due to the 'virtual' sets, and the film is thankfully not too long. All in all, worth a look if only as a glimpse of what the future of film may bring, just don't expect to be left wanting more..
- - SpudlyMcGudly from Wrexham
  - Posted 04 Mar 2005 09:02
7 out of 8 people found this review helpful

Nice sets, shame about the pacing

This movie looks great and keeps you entertained for a while with the references to 20th century icons like Flash Gordon. But the leads are just too 21st Century and - dare I say it? - young to play these roles. Rosalind Russell could play the hard-edged female hack but not the cool but softish Paltrow. And Jude Law has the looks but not the substance to play a character that Cary Grant or Clark Gable would have taken in their manly strides.
- - moviefan40 from Surrey
  - Posted 13 Mar 2005 21:46
7 out of 8 people found this review helpful

Sky Captain

I'm probably the only female in the world who doesn't swoon at the sight of Jude Law, and this film didn't win me over, although I think he has found his niche, and at least he doesn't try an American accent.Visually it was quite entertaining, but the characterization and script were fairly poor, I definitely would have been more than happy for the annoying Gwyneth Paltrow character to have been killed off.
- - diggy from Surrey
  - Posted 18 Mar 2005 16:19
7 out of 8 people found this review helpful

Very disappointed

Was really looking forward to this but it was very disappointing. Apart from marvelling at the special effects there is little in the way of plot and character development and boredom sets in pretty quickly.

Not recommended.
- - Jason99 from Berks
  - Posted 21 Mar 2005 20:22

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Critics' reviews (3)
You have to admire not just the vision, but also the perversity of writer/director Kerry Conran's use of the latest digital technology to create a hymn to Buck Rogers and all those other rugged-individualist heroes of comic books and cliffhanger serials. In some curiously imprecise era, people work in skyscrapers, ride in airships, and only one man can save the world when leading scientists start disappearing and cities are attacked by enormous robots — Joe Sullivan (Jude Law), aka Sky Captain, accompanied by erstwhile girlfriend and ace reporter Polly Perkins (Gwyneth Paltrow). What is most impressive is the way in which Conran has created the future as it was perceived back in the 1930s. However, despite being breathtakingly clever — the cast acted against a “blue-screen” and all the backgrounds were added digitally — this lacks the warmth and charm of Raiders of the Lost Ark, which attempted a similar exercise in nostalgia without the exclusive use of technology to achieve it.
- Radio Times
- Posted 29 Jan 2006
Based on 1930s pulp science fiction, a throwback to the future world of yesterday that, for all its visual cleverness has an inert narrative and cardboard characterization.
- Halliwell's Film Guide
- Posted 02 Mar 2006
Conrans disappointing 30s/40s-set comic-book adventure is an innovative amalgam of... read more on Time Out
- Time Out
- Posted 04 Nov 2008

Buy from the LOVEFiLM shop

- Sky Captain And The World Of Tomorrow - HD DVD Version
  
  In writer-director Kerry Conran's debut film, ace pilot Joe Sky Captain Sullivan (Jude Law) reluctantly teams up with his former flame, journalist Polly Perkins (Gwyneth Paltrow), to uncover the mystery behind a group of missing scientists and a series of shocking robot attacks. Aided by gadgetry ...