Sheep Movie Review: Tomorrowland

Tomorrowland
Directed by Brad Bird
Rated: PG
Cast: George Clooney, Britt Robertson, Hugh Laurie, Raffey Cassidy 

Plot:
From Disney comes two-time Oscar (R) winner Brad Bird's riveting, mystery adventure "Tomorrowland," starring Academy Award (R) winner George Clooney. Bound by a shared destiny, former boy-genius Frank (Clooney), jaded by disillusionment, and Casey (Britt Robertson), a bright, optimistic teen bursting with scientific curiosity, embark on a danger-filled mission to unearth the secrets of an enigmatic place somewhere in time and space known only as "Tomorrowland." What they must do there changes the world-and them-forever. Featuring a screenplay by "Lost" writer and co-creator Damon Lindelof and Brad Bird, from a story by Lindelof & Bird & Jeff Jensen, "Tomorrowland" promises to take audiences on a thrill ride of nonstop adventures through new dimensions that have only been dreamed of.

Tomorrwland is a fun ride at Disneyland and it should have stayed there. The whole movie plot was over bloated with dramatic end of the world nonsense, kids getting hit by cars and a creepy old dude (Clooney) who played closer to an ice-cream-man-pedophile then anything else.

Nothing really makes sense, until possibly the last bit of the movie when it's all "unveiled." But by the time we get there, the lackluster characters and hokey plot have wet my movie blanket. Or maybe it was all the Cokes I sucked down to stay awake.

Long lulls of boring progression have the redundant plot points banging their robotic heads against the walls. CAN NOT COMPUTE! Mayday, mayday! On a good note, the graphics were great, a lot of the robots where neat but this alternate reality/futuristic storyline just never took off the ground for me. I should have stayed behind and enjoyed my Mickey Mouse pancake.

Disneyland is all about "dreams coming true" and "when you wish upon a star", I don't know how this one fell apart so badly, what with all that magic voodoo they have access to. But it did. I say pass on this one and wait for the DVD.

Getting 1 and 1/2 Sheep

KD

Sheep Movie Review: Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol

Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol, directed by Brad Bird, stars Tom Cruise, Jeremy Renner, Simon Pegg, Michael Nyqvist and Paula Patton. Watch Ethan (Tom Cruise) jump over objects, roll under them, climb up them then run down them, slide over them, throw himself out of them, blast right through them THEN biff it a few times and you've got yourself one heck of a cardio workout. *bends knees and touches toes* But really, the man looks great running full-throttle all over the world. It's a blockbuster super high-tech thrill ride and while it leaves much to be desired in the plot line it's entertaining enough to keep you strapped to your seat.

Plot:

This is not just another mission. The IMF is shut down when it's implicated in a global terrorist bombing plot. Ghost Protocol is initiated and Ethan Hunt and his rogue new team must go undercover to clear their organization's name. No help, no contact, off the grid. You have never seen a mission grittier and more intense than this.

Land, sea, sand or air this movie's got a lot going for it but it's strongest point is some of the outrageous stunts which keep you hanging onto your seat. MI: GP is filled with intense action sequences, but falls a bit flat when it comes to much of the storyline and script. The opening minutes were terribly hokey but after that awful little snafu the story gets going and Tom's leading the way. As usual Tom and company have gadgets so beyond reality you have a hard time buying into the story. Plus the fact that his team and his alone are the only ones able to stop an immanent attack on the US...makes our military boys seem like they're out for coffee and doughnuts! (I hope it's at least Krispy Kreme.)

I do have to say that I found it overall a pretty enjoyable film with lots of twists and crazy hair-pin turns. Characters from past films make little cameos here and there, bringing the movies as a series full circle. Of all the characters, Paula's was a bit too flat in my opinion. Too much emphasis was placed on her "looks" being the draw and not her ability to hawk down a bad guy and kick their butt to kingdom come. Renner hit me at just middle road in the acting arena but I was so happy to see Michael Nyqvist (from the Swedish Dragon Tattoo films) playing an uber-bad guy for this one. Both him and his acting partner from those, Noomi Rapace, are making their way to Hollywood mainstream and I'm greatly thankful. Tom repelling down the tallest building in the world was definitely a sight to see! I held my breath a couple times, it was that nail-bitting.

Humorous comedy was added in to lighten tense situations and bring the characters down to a more human level. An Indian Palace, too many cell phones, razor sharp fan blades and some cheesy paintings add to the comedic aspects of the film. For Tom's running alone I'm giving this movie an extra 1/2 Sheep. The man looks great and regardless of anyone else in the film he shined once again as the front man to the super-secret government team of agents.

Getting 3 and 1/2 Sir-Biffs-A-lot Sheep

KD