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Katzen1924
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Dinotopia (2002)
"Dinotopia" means "Terrible Place" in Latin
I first watched Dinotopia when it aired in 2002. I thought it was great. Now, 8 years later, when I look back at it and watch it again, I can see the flaws and plot holes clearly.
First I would like to address the characterization and acting. Wentworth Miller as David Scott was absolutely dreadful. The character was poorly written and predictable, and the acting was horrible. Everything David said was the same; boring, dry, and bland. Karl's actor was also pretty horrible, but at least he was slightly interesting. Rosemary, the Matriarch, was annoying and a bit scary, but at least her actress was decent and her character slightly sensible.
Mayor Waldo was possibly one of my favorite characters. He was a bustling, obese, pompous, and smug man, however, considering the society of Dinotopia (which I'll get to later), he was a perfect Mayor. Marion was dreadful. Completely dreadful. The actress was decent looking, but she was just a terrible actress, completely devoid of any emotion other than disapproval. Zipeau was an entertaining character, and his voice suited him perfectly. He had good lines and decent characterization. Oonu, the Skybax Captain's actor was perfect for the role, and Oonu's character is decent. Romona Denison is good looking, brave, but rather devoid of emotion, much like most of the characters in the series. Frank Scott, the main protagonist's father, wasn't on screen enough to merit much negative or positive feedback, but I will give him a clap on the back for having to endure acting with those two horrid lead actors.
I am saving the best for last. The best character in this depressing mini-series had to be Cyrus Crabb, the "villain", played by an excellent actor, David Thewlis. Cyrus Crabb was unpredictable, exciting, and dynamic. Our perception of him was always changing. At the beginning, he was just (quoting Karl; one of the best quotes in the movie) "a weird old man with a limp and a few sticks of dynamite", helpful, eccentric, and slightly odd. Characters frequently say they don't trust Cyrus, including David at the Chandara Bus Station early in the first part, and at first, I have to agree with Crabb's query of "What's not to trust?" which generally shuts Marion up later in the series when she blatantly states that she doesn't trust him as if he's not present. Later in the series, when Cyrus finds Karl in Waterfall City, Cyrus seems to empathize with him. Cyrus's shop is very interesting, which brings the subject of his costume and surroundings. Cyrus is an ugly, greasy man, I must say. However, his beautiful (you won't catch me saying that word often) rose-patterned coat is envious, if not a little whacky. I won't go into the details of Crabb's backstory, as this paragraph is already far too long, but I have to say that Crabb is an amazing character who is very easy to get to know and identify with. Dinotopian society is awful, even though it looks great at first glance. Cyrus sees through these delusions, and wants a way out. He uses the boys to get down to the Sunstone Cave in the World Beneath by gaining their trust in a peculiar way. In the World Beneath (the geography of which is very confusing), Cyrus acts almost the hero, piloting the sub and finding the sunstones himself, seemingly securing the hope of Dinotopia. Cyrus's smart remarks and intelligent personality, along with his conflicting interests and murky past, make him an amazing character, as I've said numerous times before. Finally, when Cyrus turns on the boys and threatens to leave them behind in the World Beneath I say, "Why not?" After all, his point was valid; Time's running out for the people in Waterfall City, he can't take the boys and the sunstones, and the submarine can't make a second trip. Plus, Crabb is the only one who knows how to pilot the submarine. I'll admit that Crabb's actions in the World Beneath (beating up both Karl and David, which, I must say, was odd since Crabb is an old man with one wooden leg, and David and Karl are both healthy, strong young men, and yet he defeats them single-handedly with his walking stick) were unwarranted and hasty. However, they were necessary to save Dinotopia. One thing that does bother me was a few of Crabb's earlier lines. "Oh, I'm going. As soon as I find enough treasure to make me King of the World, I'm going." and "I know the way to the sunstone cave, AND THE WAY OUT OF DINOTOPIA." which makes me think he might have thought of using the sunstones to secure his fortunes in the outside world and free himself from Dinotopia at last. Cyrus Crabb is an interesting character as I've said before, and since you're all probably getting sick of this endless adoration, I'll wrap this up quickly. Karl's little stunt in the cave after Cyrus leaves in the submarine was just cruel (everyone knows how difficult it is to escape a sinking submarine, especially with a wooden leg) and Cyrus's fate was just awful, and any that say it was his comeuppance, no one, not even a scoundrel like Cyrus, deserves that.
The geography of Dinotopia was a bit screwy, especially since the Scott family jumped into a pool of water and somehow swam up to the temple swamp. How Frank and Karl got the sunstones to Waterfall City in the finale, I have no idea. Trevor Jones's score is absolutely beautiful, I especially love the music when Cyrus, David, and Karl find the sunstone cave. Dinotopian society was horrible, not exactly utopian.
Despite it's plot holes, bad acting, and weird CGI Dinosaurs, Dinotopia was a masterpiece, mainly because of the lessons it teaches. Cyrus Crabb was the best villain I have ever seen, and David Thewlis played the part extremely well. Overall, Dinotopia was a good attempt at something with great potential.
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (2007)
Meaning of Life - Tragic Heros
This movie was absolutely dreadful. I, like many others, thought that the series should have ended with The Curse of the Black Pearl. However, since Dead Man's Chest was made, everyone was looking forward to a great conclusion. Unfortunately, it seems that everyone who dies can be easily brought back to life; all that has to be done is use magic, or perhaps sail to the end of the world.
First of all, I think every scene without either Lord Cutler Beckett or James Norrington was garbage. Jack was old, I never liked Will Turner, and Elizabeth was getting old. Singapore was utterly pointless, as was Sao Feng. Death seemed pointless, because, Barbossa was brought back to life, Jack Sparrow was brought back to life, and to my overwhelming horror and disgust, Will Turner was brought back to life.
One character that didn't get "old" was the tragic hero James Norrington. A man who sacrificed everything for the woman he loved; the woman who scorned him, and ultimately caused his death. Commodore Norrington had everything, until he decided to be merciful and let Sparrow escape at the end of Curse of the Black Pearl. He did redeem himself by joining another of the most interesting characters ever written; Cutler Beckett. A man who worked ceaselessly to weed out the lawless, barbaric pirates.
Remember, these pirates rape, pillage, kidnap, steal, and murder. Lord Beckett was doing the people of the Caribbean a favor by hanging all of that scum. I personally view the "protagonists" of the trilogy as enemies. James Norrington did the right thing by joining Beckett. However, he was once again manipulated by Elizabeth Swann, and killed shortly afterward by one of my least favorite characters; Will Turner's father.
The reason I wish for this movie to have never been made is because it was much too complicated, and they killed off 3 characters who were important to the story, and cast them aside like old playthings. James Norrington, the Kraken, and Governor Swann. Since so many characters were brought back from the dead, I would expect Norrington to have also.
The only things I like about this film are Cutler Beckett moments, James Norrington's death (because of Zimmer's beautiful score) and Beckett's death (also because of the score). That is ironic, since those two are my favorite characters, and, needless to say, the most interesting.
The last thing I have to say about this dreadful, recycled movie, is that funniest, most ironic thing happens to Will Turner; he gets stabbed and killed by Norrington's sword. So, through Davy Jones, Norrington gets his revenge. But, alas, like I said, it was short lived, as was the movie.