Reviewed by Victor Rebikoff.
Director: Brad Bird, Walt Disney Picture, PG 130 Minutes.
Disney’s sci-fi fantasy is a disturbing futuristic drama filled with despair and hope.
It attempts to draw a parallel between the global disenchantment of the present to a possible future deemed as a technological paradise known as “Tomorrowland.”
Brad Bird the director of ‘Mission Impossible-Ghost Protocol’ has fashioned an intriguing storyline, beginning in flashback which shows young prodigy Frank Walker (Thomas Robinson – ‘The Switch’) taking his new jetpack invention to the 1964 World Fair in New York.
Having failed to impress Nix (Hugh Laurie – ‘Mr Pip’) the competition judge, Frank is encouraged to pursue his dream by an enigmatic young girl named Athena (Raffey Cassidy – ‘Dark Shadows’) who gives him a mysterious red and blue lapel pin.
The other main character in the movie is science student Casey (Britt Robertson – ‘The First Time’), the daughter of a space engineer, who’s determined to prevent the demolition of a NASA launch site.
Casey likewise gains possession of the same lapel pin which enables her to be transported briefly into the future, providing a glimpse of a glowing futuristic city where she meets Athena and the grown-up but grouchy Frank (George Clooney – ‘Gravity’).
As his doomsday clock starts to count down Frank along with Athena and Casey decide to travel back to the future hopeful of preventing the end of the world – only to be confronted by Nix and his robotic cronies.
With time running out for the trio, the concluding scenes show a fierce fight between the present and future combatants to determine if hope will overcome despair in the final analysis and if Frank will finally fulfil his dream.
Bird’s movie ‘Tomorrowland’ is largely based on one of Walt Disney’s theme parks of the same name which opened to the public in the 1950s and provides the same type of advanced technology contained in this enjoyable storyline.
Apart from the stunning futuristic settings and overall presentation, the other major highlights are Clooney’s characteristic performance which is wonderfully complemented by both Robertson and Cassidy who shine in each of the scenes they share with Clooney.
Tomorrowland is to be televised on Channel 7FLIX on Saturday 17 April at 7.00pm.
Vic’s Verdict: 3 ½ Stars
