Review of Atlas Shrugged: Part I (2011) by Lkusa — 15 Apr 2011

While I would definitely give the film a 10+ for its brilliant anti-collectivist philosophy, the film still has a few too many flaws to give it an overall ten. That being said, the GOOD: Brilliant casting, good adaptation, fast paced, good update from a mid-20th century novel to a modern era film.

Great villains (meaning: the bureaucrats, leftist politicians and their self-loathing enablers). Strong distinction between the makers and the takers. Atlas-1 does a commendable job of showing the despicable motivations of the leeches, liars, loafers and looters, and the thieves and thugs they embrace.

Each villain is more hateful than the next. Ms. Wisocky is great as Lillian Rearden, and the two Rearden Metal bracelet scenes (the gift and the swap) were perfectly done. Sharp dialogue. Taylor Schilling as Dagny.

Now, for the BAD: an inadequate budget given the material that needed to be portrayed. Nonetheless, the movie was highly enjoyable until the last five minutes. That segment needs work desperately, and a rewrite and reshoot.

Other than that, I think even Ayn Rand would approve. The Schumers, Obamas, Kennedys, Reids, Pelosis and their statist ilk have been thoroughly exposed. The villains in Atlas hate the good for being good.

As for the so-called 'professional' reviewers, Roger Ebert and Peter Travers are obviously clueless about the ethics of individualism and are fans of statist big government. They seem to be as morally and emotionally bankrupt as Gail Wynand was in The Fountainhead.