Sky Captain And The World Of Tomorrow

Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow (2004)

Runtime: 106 minutes

Directed by: Kerry Conran

Starring: Gwyneth Paltrow, Jude Law, Giovanna Ribisi, Angelina Jolie, and… Laurence Olivier?!

From: Paramount presented this

It was only recently that I thought of seeing this motion picture; like many I didn’t when it came out in September of ’04 as it all just seemed so odd at the time. The most surprising aspect also left me wary; the fact that this idea has rarely been used since then-although it’s been vaporware for proposed ideas like “old footage of John Wayne shot right before his death would be appropriated by his longtime friend for a sci-fi Western” or “some goof proclaims that James Dean would be the best person for a role”-does give me something to discuss. In late ’22, something this original seemed thankfully fresh compared to all the trite, rote crap we get now.

In a futuristic version of 1939 New York, not only is there a zeppelin known as the Hindenburg III, the titular Sky Captain is the head of a private air force known as the Flying Legion. Thank heavens he’s around as giant flying robots start attacking New York City, not to mention causing havoc across the world. Captain’s ex is plucky reporter Polly Perkins; they have to team up to crack this case.

The cast had familiar faces-although I’m not sure if everyone was right for their parts: Gwyneth Paltrow, Angelina Jolie (for a few minutes), Jude Law, Giovanna Ribisi, and… Laurence Olivier?! CG was used of him as a young actor to bring him back to life. As the entire movie was shot on a digital backlot (a trend done sometimes during the first decade of the 21st century where most or the entire movie is shot with a greenscreen background) we might as well have a digital character even if it’s a legendary actor from the past.

As that has only been done on a few occasions since, I can only presume that many don’t want to deal with the headache to be allowed permission to use that person’s likeness then put in all the effort to animate them. I remember back in ’04 that many people were upset or at least petrified at the idea of digital characters being “the future” of Hollywood; there’s a future which perhaps is best that never happened… even if someone could have been real creative in appropriating a Hollywood legend. As for Olivier here, his “appearance” was just a cameo.

As for the movie itself, I certainly appreciate all the care and effort in utilizing various styles from the time period along with such ideas as German Expressionism. The almost sepia tone it has, personally it wasn’t usually something I enjoyed viewing in terms of aesthetics; the same goes for some story elements or the biggest Achilles heel, which is how poorly a good amount of the CG has aged. That said, this is still pulpy nonsense which I’ll give a pass to due to its ambition and at least its attempt at retro thrills. Perhaps the serials or 40’s adventure films this was based on conceptually would be more thrilling to me—but overall I was still entertained.