Okay, here goes my review, I'll try to write it with an open mind so you can read it with an open mind.
Let's divide the movie up.
~PERFORMANCE~ Even though ROBIN WILLIAMS gets top billing, his usual style of eccentric scene stealing is highly subdued, mostly due to his character, which in my opinion he nails. There are moments of eccentricity to the extremity (especially the noise jacket scene) which gave my belly a work-out.
MICHAEL GAMBON is at his hammyest as the villain with militaristic motives. He actually is quite humorous (think the video game scene) and quite disturbing. I read it as a comment on military generals from the point of view of a 6 year old boy (everything about this film is -toys-).
JOAN CUSSACK proves that she can be weird as hell by barely moving a finger. She embodies the soul of the project.
ROBIN WRIGHT is subtle (thank god!) compared to her co-stars and makes an interesting love interest.
LL COOL J is the real hero of the film, and shows competence in creating a 3D character in a 2D world.
~Set Design~ 1950's toys in a 1990's universe is the main instigator at play in this fairy tale. Possibly some repressed memories of Levinson's childhood. This will be the motif that divides the audience. Personally I give him kudos for being that risky. Most designs are played out as bad gags that fall flat, but alone they look marvelous, (I especially like the sketches General rejects !)
~Costumes~ *For story purposes I never get why The General's costume switches from the normal uniform to the colourful one constantly. Maybe The General is remembering his childhood and constantly suppressing it. *Robin's costume are something you would see Williams wear everyday, no shock there, thumbs down for the soldiers black and red get-up. The stand-out would have to be Cussack's doll wig costume because its weird.
~Music~ *Zimmer's score borders on African culture to begin with... it works. I don't know why. *The film seems to dance at times, really funky too. 90's Trance/Pop, I pity those workers who have to listen to Tori Amos all day long though, but they don't seem to mind.
~Story~ The motives of the writers are very clear. Military toys are not cool. What else can I say. The theme drags on a bit though. When 'we get it' has been established, Levison seems to just let Williams take over and do his comedy schtick as the toy battle finale seems just thrown in and really below the standards of the rest of the film.
Let's divide the movie up.
~PERFORMANCE~ Even though ROBIN WILLIAMS gets top billing, his usual style of eccentric scene stealing is highly subdued, mostly due to his character, which in my opinion he nails. There are moments of eccentricity to the extremity (especially the noise jacket scene) which gave my belly a work-out.
MICHAEL GAMBON is at his hammyest as the villain with militaristic motives. He actually is quite humorous (think the video game scene) and quite disturbing. I read it as a comment on military generals from the point of view of a 6 year old boy (everything about this film is -toys-).
JOAN CUSSACK proves that she can be weird as hell by barely moving a finger. She embodies the soul of the project.
ROBIN WRIGHT is subtle (thank god!) compared to her co-stars and makes an interesting love interest.
LL COOL J is the real hero of the film, and shows competence in creating a 3D character in a 2D world.
~Set Design~ 1950's toys in a 1990's universe is the main instigator at play in this fairy tale. Possibly some repressed memories of Levinson's childhood. This will be the motif that divides the audience. Personally I give him kudos for being that risky. Most designs are played out as bad gags that fall flat, but alone they look marvelous, (I especially like the sketches General rejects !)
~Costumes~ *For story purposes I never get why The General's costume switches from the normal uniform to the colourful one constantly. Maybe The General is remembering his childhood and constantly suppressing it. *Robin's costume are something you would see Williams wear everyday, no shock there, thumbs down for the soldiers black and red get-up. The stand-out would have to be Cussack's doll wig costume because its weird.
~Music~ *Zimmer's score borders on African culture to begin with... it works. I don't know why. *The film seems to dance at times, really funky too. 90's Trance/Pop, I pity those workers who have to listen to Tori Amos all day long though, but they don't seem to mind.
~Story~ The motives of the writers are very clear. Military toys are not cool. What else can I say. The theme drags on a bit though. When 'we get it' has been established, Levison seems to just let Williams take over and do his comedy schtick as the toy battle finale seems just thrown in and really below the standards of the rest of the film.