Review of Atlas Shrugged: Part I (2011) by Mike M — 14 Dec 2011

Why do I like this movie so much? I don't belong to any of the groups it's supposedly targeted to, unless you count everybody who has ever read Ayn Rand's ATLAS SHRUGGED. I steeped myself in all her novels in the 1960s. I was disappointed in the 1949 film version of THE FOUNTAINHEAD. I liked JAWS (1975) infinitely better! So why did I see ATLAS SHRUGGED PART 1 four times when it was playing in my neighborhood theaters, and why did I buy the DVD?

Simplest answer is that I enjoy this movie. Even in my fifth viewing, I found it compelling--I didn't want to stop watching it. The movie makers did something right. I sort of understand other people's objections to it; at least I didn't care for John Galt's talking in this film. That part was unbelievable to me (Rand had the sense NOT to show Galt recruiting strikers)--although I didn't mind his shrouded appearance in the film. I did enjoy the leading performances, the look of the picture, the pacing, the music. I feel it's a quiet rough gem lost to the majority of moviegoers.