Brad Bird, the director of such great animated films as "The Iron Giant," "The Incredibles" and "Ratatouille," checks in with a new live action feature starring George Clooney. Time Warner Cable News film critic Neil Rosen filed this review of "Tomorrowland."
Here it comes indeed - a smart, entertaining, family friendly, sci-fi action film.
"Tomorrowland” is the story of Casey Newton, a teenage girl who gets a glimpse of a gleaming, futuristic world whenever she touches a mysterious pin.
Through a series of events, too long to explain here, Casey tracks down Frank Miller, a reclusive inventor, played by George Clooney, who she believes holds some answers to the crazy phenomenon that she has experienced.
It turns out that this Tomorrowland world is in a parallel dimension way in the future.
We also learn, very early on, that our present day world is on the eve of destruction. It is up to Casey and Frank to go find Tomorrowland and once there, figure out a way to save present day earth.
Along the way, there is a bunch of rousing action scenes, as robots from the future try to thwart this duo at every turn.
Brad Bird not only nicely directs, but he co-wrote the screenplay with Damon Lindelof, of TV's “Lost” and there's a lot of intelligent, interesting ideas going on here. There is also an eco-message about how we are destroying our planet.
George Clooney is quite good. So is Britt Robertson as Casey. In addition, Hugh Laurie is on hand playing Tomorrowland's leader.
The production design is first rate with visual nods from everything to Disneyland to “The Wizard Of Oz” to the 1964 NY World's Fair, where the movie of begins.
It is nice to see a summer family film, where, for a change, the emphasis is as much on thought-provoking story as it is on action. The film is geared towards tweens, and if you get a chance to see this entertaining Disney film with your kids, you will also enjoy the ride.
Neil Rosen’s Big Apple Rating:
Three Apples