Tomorrowland

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Casey (Britt Robertson) in Disney's Tomorrowland/Film frame courtesy of PR  ©Disney 2015
Casey (Britt Robertson) in Disney’s Tomorrowland/Film frame courtesy of PR
©Disney 2015

Tomorrowland is the perfect mood-lifter – total immersion in the wonder and optimism of childhood, along with enchanting retro-futuristic design, and wily charms of its actors (I’m talking about Raffey Cassidy, but yes, George Clooney is the ultimate). Brad Bird (The Incredibles – 2004, Rataouille – 2007) is in his element here, there is a hefty helping of naive nostalgia here (1964 World’s Fair), a longing for one’s childhood past, when everything, literally everything seemed possible. One cannot help but note that Bird was twelve years old in 1969, when the first person walked on the moon, and it seemed as though there were no limits to human endeavor. So if you are the kind of person who enjoys dreaming of utopia (with its inherent flaws) and the possibility of mystery in the midst of the ordinary, this is the film for you.

Britt Robertson and George Clooney in Tomorrowland/Photo courtesy of PR
Britt Robertson and George Clooney in Tomorrowland/Photo courtesy of PR

The visuals make this an out-of-this-world experience, geeky outlaw teen Casey Newton (Britt Robertson) zapping in and out of Tomorrowland is truly a trip. But there’s more, and more, from the ultra-geek shabby chic of Frank Walker’s (George Clooney) home, to the sleek splendor of that other place. The good news about that utopian locale, is that everyone, but I mean everyone, has impeccable taste. Looking at the ‘street scenes’ in Tomorrowland, I loved every single outfit! Whether on earth as we know it, or in another dimension, the action scenes are a lot of fun, with a nice mix of humor and suspense.

Bitter, angry, hurt, and a bit ragged around the edges, Frank Walker still hums with the hopeful heart of a boy. There is a wonderful synergy between George Clooney’s recluse Frank, and Thomas Robinson’s innocent dreamer; it’s in the eyes. Britt Robertson makes a very credible Casey, and I am thrilled (yes – thrilled!) to see a film with a lead teen female who is unabashedly smart, full of dreams, daring and ideas. Raffey Cassidy is simply bewitching, she really makes her character come alive! As for Hugh Laurie, no surprises – we all know he does damaged, distant, and darn handsome on a superlative scale.

Raffey Cassidy as Athena in Tomorrowland/Photo courtesy of PR
Raffey Cassidy as Athena in Tomorrowland/Photo courtesy of PR

*some minor spoiler ahead*
However, as with all utopias – perfect, it is not. If one wants to ponder Tomorrowland on a deeper level (and there’s no need really, you can just watch the movie and enjoy), I have serious reservations with its message of “children are the future.” Not because I disagree with the general statement, in fact, literally, they are. Yet the interpretation of this premise, as it plays out in the film, is elitist and, I believe, quite wrongly so. Nurturing genius is a commendable pursuit, yet I believe the future – that better future we all still dream of – may be found in nurturing, encouraging and educating all children. There are other comments and quibbles to be made, but best to make them over a beer (or ice cream) in the sweet adrenalin after-glow of Tomorrowland.

Tomorrowland
Directed by Brad Bird; Screenplay: Damon Lindelof, Brad Bird; Story: Lindelof, Bird, Jeff Jensen; Cinematography: Claudio Miranda; Editors: Walter Murch, Craig Wood; Music: Michael Giacchino; Production designer: Scott Chambliss; Supervising art director: Ramsey Avery; Costume designer: Jeffrey Kurland; Sound: David Husby; Visual effects supervisors: Craig Hammack, Eddie Pasquarello, John Knoll; Visual effects and animation: Industrial Light & Magic; Supervising stunt coordinator, Robert Alonzo; Cast: George Clooney, Hugh Laurie, Britt Robertson, Raffey Cassidy, Tim McGraw, Kathryn Hahn, Keegan-Michael Key, Thomas Robinson, Pierce Gagnon, Chris Bauer.