Review of Atlas Shrugged: Part I (2011) by Tom M — 09 Jan 2012

Considering the budget available for the film and huge scope of the novel, I really enjoyed this first attempt at putting Ayn Randâ(TM)s sprawling âAtlas Shruggedâ? novel on screen. The story was compelling enough to make me hope the producers are able to make the planned second part (of three planned movies) soon, and it certainly has the effect of making want to finally getting around to reading the novel. The filmâ(TM)s story certainly shockingly relevant to our current political and economic mire that our country finds itself in.

âAtlas Shrugged - Part 1â? squeezes the most out of itâ(TM)s limited budget to the point that you donâ(TM)t really feel or notice anything cheap in the filmâ(TM)s production design and atmosphere. The experienced and primarily B-list cast is also effective at what they do on screen...Perhaps not having big-name stars in the film was a plus as weâ(TM)re able to fall into the characters more without the distractions of star-power.

The story is rendered as an economic chess game between an increasingly socialist US government and the last heads of Americaâ(TM)s remaining manufacturing industries during a strange and growing mystery concerning disappearing industry tycoons and the odd phrase the missing person incidents have in common: âWho is John Galt?â?

The movie really has the feel of an intense big budget TV mini series, and perhaps that might have been the better avenue for the production when trying to tackle a story as complex and sprawling as âAtlas Shruggedâ? presents. But still, I had a wonderful time watching it; almost giggling at how the story broadly mirrors todayâ(TM)s events and attitudes towards the notion of âwealth distributionâ? and leveling the playing field vs. free market merit-based capitalism.