I am waiting for something. I don't know what it is, but I will know it when I see it. I want it to be the film that blows me away with brains from the studio era and the technology of today. I didn't actually think Sky Captain would be the film...but I thought it might be a precursor to it, and maybe it is...we will see if his talent grows with A Princess of Mars.

The film is gorgeous...a big screen experience if only for the visuals. It has the elements...hats...lots of hats...women wearing cloches, men wearing fedora's...a hat movie through and through. But it is missing something. Some vital element that makes it seem a little less entertaining and more like a wishful recreation.

I think Conran has given us something to look at, but his direction skills are not up to snuff...yet. Hey Spielberg didn't start out with Jaws, Close Encounters or Raiders of the Lost Ark...but Conran needs to let his characters breathe a little...exist as archetypes sure, but a touch less mannequin. I admire what they are going for...praise it in fact and hope others follow his example, learning from the older films without inflecting them with campiness...but what this film lacks is genuine caring for the characters. I never seriously felt that any of the characters were in any true danger. I also wish they had been able to introduce Angelina Jolie's character a little earlier into the film to up the ante of the possible love triangle.

Jude Law, Gwyneth Paltrow and Angelina Jolie all have their roles down but it was also nice to see Giovanni Ribisi be a little less twitchy/tick-filled as an actor. Nice to know he can play a character without going into spasms.

As for the resurgence of Laurence Olivier fifteen years after his death...that's a tough one. The man did Kodak commercials during his lifetime so having one last kick at the acting can after his death might not offend the great actor. At least it's not a vaccuum commercial, right Mr. Astaire?

Still, as the first film of Conran this man has gone bigger than most have ever tried in their lives and I believe he will only get better as time passes. But for films buffs, animators, sci-fi freaks and geeks...this is a no-miss film with a great last line.

4 stars out of 5.

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Copyright© Written By: Rob Paul
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