Review of Land of the Lost (2009) by Harry W — 06 Aug 2014

Land of the Lost clearly differentiates from the original Sid and Marty Krofft TV series because it rejects the original stop motion effects and puppetry that made the original show iconic in favour of visual effects, and instead of being simply a family-friendly venture it makes use of adult humour. Still, with Will Ferrell and Danny McBride as stars, I had to see it.

Land of the Lost is an odd blend of comedic elements, because it combines the story of a family comedy movie based on a family TV show with adult . But the comedic success doesn't come from the humour so much as the delivery of the humour. It's very sitcom style and in its own way it makes the stupid humour reminiscent of the camp style that Sid and Marty Krofft are known for. It seems like part of the joke in Land of the Lost is that it isn't really all that convincing. The actors are clearly acting in front of a green screen most of the time and so their reactions don't seem genuine, they seem childish or even campy. And that campy theme is carried over into the costumes, particularly of characters like Cha-Ka or the entire species of Sleestaks. Perhaps people think the unconvincing qualities of the film are stupid, but I like it because its very campy and reminiscent of the Sid and Marty Krofft style and of their famous high-concept low-budget TV shows such as the original Land of the Lost or even the childhood classic H.R. Pufnstuf. It's a combination of camp and contemporary with a mix of Comedically unconvincing acting and costumes with convincing visual effects all in a sitcom style line delivery. To put in blankly, Land of the Lost is the freshest attempt at a camp film in a long time and I found that to be an ambitious move, even if it did cost $100 million to accomplish.

And it is an.

The childish musical score makes it reminiscent of the era the original Land of the Lost TV series came from and keeps the adventure as a childish and silly one which is atmospheric and convincing as a camp film. And the good visual effects, cinematography and large colour palette make Land of the Lost an appealing visual experience.

And even though the script is of weak calibre, the delivery of the lines by Will Ferrell and Danny McBride make it work.

Will Ferrell is a good lead because the angle he takes matches the camp mood of the film and he provides an ideal neuroticism to the lead character. His comedic talents manage to make him a strong lead with charisma which is campy and confident. He is a great lead.

Danny McBride is a hilarious presence in Land of the Lost, because since his strongest success in his career has come from being in many very crude comedy films, seeing him in a zany family comedy adventure using his comedic talents teamed up with Will Ferrell and sharing a great chemistry is a hilarious experience.

Anna Friel on the other hand is not at all convincing as a person with any scientific knowledge or of an adventurer. First off, in her appearance she's closer to Alia Shawkar in Arrested Development than she is to Lara Croft from Tomb Raider. Secondly, every time she speaks the screen gets dreary and tedious. Basically, she is just an annoying presence and her performance is less convincing than Denise Richards was in The World is Not Enough, which I remind you was where she was put in the role of a nuclear scientist and rated as the worst Bond Girl of all time. Anna Friel is not in tune with the comedic theme of the story at all and takes herself way too seriously as an actress as well as taking a stupidly dramatic angle with the film.

So while the film is shamelessly stupid, Land of the Lost is a funny and campy experience.