![]() ![]() The cartoony animation and gorgeously deep backgrounds are all rendered wonderfully, to the point where there are scenes in this film that are so fantastic, like a mid-air sunset battle and a desert canyon aircraft chase, that it looks like the animation was laid over high-definition video footage. The AVC-encoded 2.39:1 transfer here looks outstanding, with beautifully vibrant color, a crisp, highly-detailed image and not a spot of digital distractions. There are no audio options, though subtitles are available on the 2D disc in English SDH and Spanish.) The discs have animated menus offering options to watch the film, select scenes, adjust the set-up and check out the extras. A word.Ī four-disc set (one 3D Blu-ray, one Blu-ray, one DVD and one Digital Copy), Escape from Planet Earth arrives in a slightly thicker than average Blu-ray keepcase (inside an embossed slipcover) with a pair of dual-hubbed trays. Paul Scheer is in this movie, but I believe he has all of one word. Meanwhile, several of these big names get next to nothing to do. announcer (otherwise it's a fantastic imitation.) Gervais is funnier in one small riff in one of the extras than he is in the entire film. That's a shame when you've got names like Ricky Gervais (in what could have been a brilliant role as the ship's computer), Chris Parnell, Sofia Vergara, Craig Robinson, Jane Lynch and I'm all but certain an uncredited Bill Hader as a P.A. The problem is, the materials they are working with just doesn't offer a lot of laughs. Both are perfect picks for their roles, as Corddry is excellent as the weaker Gary, playing exasperated just right, and earning the audience's support, while Fraser has heroic bluster down to a science, as anyone who's watched The Mummy knows well. That's a serious disappointment, since the film's cast is loaded with very funny actors, starting with the leads. The thing is, there are several part of the script, which was worked on to some degree by the great Stephen Fry, that are genuinely clever or at least amusing, and make you wonder where exactly they came from, or when their friends were excised from the production? That's probably the film's greatest sin, as it seems to have been made for the lowest common denominator, while still leaving hints that it could have been something better. We're not talking Keyser Soze-level twists, but you don't see them coming from a mile away either, unlike the supposed laughs the film attempts to elicit to no avail, at least from the adults watching. Small stakes is not the game here.Ĭonsidering how the film's sense of humor is very basic, it's surprising how it manages to pull a few surprises plot-wise, and keep things interesting, while thankfully not relying on sci-fi deus ex machina to save the day. While Scorch is fending for himself on the dark planet (which, if you can't guess by the film's title, is Earth) against a team of hunters led by a nefarious military man (played within proper limits by a somewhat subdued William Shatner), Gary is dealing with guilt, as well as his rambunctious uncle-adoring son Kip and his non-nonsense wife Kira (Sarah Jessica Parker.) Naturally, he's soon on his brother's trail (otherise we'd have no movie) and Gary gets caught up in Scorch's mess, stuck with other captured aliens roped into a plot to take over the universe. When Scorch decides to go against his brother's wishes and take a dangerous mission to "the dark planet," a place no explorer has ever returned from, it splits up the team, and Scorch goes it on his own.to the inevitable disastrous results. That story, though somewhat cliche, is enjoyable, as Scorch (Brendan Fraser), a lunkheaded adventurer loved the alien world over, leaves no spotlight for his meeker brother Gary (Rob Corddry) who's the brains of the operation. The action picked up, some plot twists made the story more interesting and with all the exposition out of the way, there was the opportunity for the film to really get going. The thing is, on my second attempt, having skipped to the last point I remembered, things improved quite a bit. Needless to say, this film did not excite me much. ![]() following the previous evening's quality night of sleep. However, when I was woken by my wife as the credits to Escape from Planet Earth rolled, and I felt the imprint of my 3D glasses on my temple, it was only 10 p.m. However, this usually happens either extremely late at night or while I'm short on energy, when I am highly susceptible to the embrace of Morpheus. This is an indisputable fact, and it has often resulted in me passing out while watching a movie or TV show. ![]() ![]() I have a very comfortable couch in my living room. Loves: Animation, Ricky Gervais, Bill Hader, Chris Parnell ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |