Review of Dick Tracy (1990) by Cole M — 06 Jun 2010

I cannot help but think that Dick Tracy was more than influences by Batman (1989). The set design, direction and cinematography, a direct-to-screen comic book adaption resemble the dark crusader's movie outing quiet dramatically.

However, to me, the intense stylization and post-comic detachment suffocates the movie and it never becomes more than a novel odd-job. While I agree with the make-up being fantastic, the characters are utterly lifeless and one-dimensional (which is good for a comic book, but not for a movie).

If you are not adding a new dimension / meaning / twist to the lore, why make a movie from a comic book in the first place. I have not seen many Warren Beatty movies, but he is a joke and cannot act. Madonna breathes some life into the movie and it is her alone which makes the movie worth of being called a "cult" title of the early 90ies.

I prefer Al Pacino without make-up and as much as I love him, his comic timing is not close to his dramatic timing and I found him pretty much annoying throughout. What a disappointment, not for me, indeed it ain't.

HX.