Review of Tomorrowland (2015) by Maccelerate — 31 May 2015

You can't make an omelet without breaking some eggs, and though there are a few shells still left in this one, it looks so tasty, that it's difficult to dislike it even if some of the ingredients are on the edge of spoilage. I had no preconception, no anticipation, and frankly hadn't heard about the film until 2 days prior to release, so I came in with a clean slate.

Tomorrowland is an abundant, multi-course dinner with a few side-orders of mystery. Unfortunately, some of the mystery is without a real purpose. There ARE many, attractive plates on this table, but you won't have time to taste them all...

Still, for all its challenges, this movie is magical, and amazing. I couldn't help being charmed by the innocence and magic of Tomorrowland. Raffey Cassidy as Athena is almost a movie unto herself, as she is a point of light that almost outshines the problems with the story. (There is a point where Athena drives offscreen and the movie just deflates). I also liked Britt Robertson's Casey, intelligent, but not full of herself. No princesses in this Disney film. George Clooney is in a good role, but plays in 3rd place behind the 2 females. Hugh Laurie is basically wasted, especially his ultimately ineffectual demise.

In the end, I enjoyed Tomorrowland as a whole. It is a flight of fancy, and a pretty fancy one at that. Sure, it can be preachy, and shallow, and inexplicable, but it's a heck of a romp! The pure beauty of this unique, though somewhat flawed, gem of a movie is worth seeing, and though I rarely consider seeing movies a 2nd time in the theater, I'm compelled to do just that to get back to Tomorrowland again. I also give it an extra star for both of the female actors. Thank you Brad Bird.