Director: Brad Bird

Starring: George Clooney, Britt Robertson, Raffey Cassidy, Hugh Laurie, Thomas Robinson

Running Time: 2 hrs 10 mins

Rating: 12A

Release Date: 22nd May 2015

It’s fair to say that Disney‘s legacy resides in their exquisite, skilled animation films like the classic SNOW WHITE, DUMBO and CINDERELLA. It’s a magic that they so wonderfully replay with much of their contemporary animated flicks like TANGLED and FROZEN; films that have undoubtedly captured the hearts of children and adults alike, with that heartwarming, familiar Disney magic.

However, it’s within their live action movies that trouble lies, with many of the narratives not quite matching up to the joy of their animated brothers. The likes of ALICE IN WONDERLAND, JOHN CARTER and OZ THE GREAT AND POWERFUL all finding their an appreciative audience, but failing to reach the dizzying heights of Disney’s usual standards. Their latest futuristic flick, TOMORROWLAND, finds itself in a similar predicament, blending narrative highlights with sickly sweetness to create and enjoyable, all be it average, movie. 

With RATATOUILLE director Brad Bird helming the otherworldly movie, TOMORROWLAND see’s the lives of two dreamers collide as their past and future blend to create a time travelling adventure about hope and science. Curious teenager, Casey (Britt Robertson), finds her world turned upside down when she becomes the owner of a mysterious and seemingly magical pin.

When in contact with this strange item, she sees herself transported to a futuristic and incredible world. Her natural thirst for knowledge and adventure leads her to Frank (George Clooney), a fractured inventor whose darkened past with this impossible world, known as Tomorrowland, has left him banished to ordinary life. With the help of child-like robot, Athena (Raffey Cassidly), Casey manages to convince Frank to take her to Tomorrowland in the hopes that this special girl might save the future from the past’s own mistakes. 

The real joy within TOMORROWLAND is exploring the new world itself. Within a different dimension, Tomorrowland is a world of scientific breakthrough and wonderment with jet packs, hover crafts and sky rockets, all wrapped up in a clean and peaceful society. Visually, it’s great; the futuristic elements aren’t so ridiculous that it becomes wholly unbelievable, but indeed find the right balance between fantastical and somewhat reachable. 

The basic narrative within TOMORROWLAND isn’t particularly complicated and it actually works in it’s favour. The fairly simple notion that the future of the world will end due to man’s own greed and mistakes is amped up with the refreshing idea of creating an anti-dystopain answer to the catastrophe at hand. Within Tomorrowland, Casey see’s the world’s demise, be it poverty, warfare of natural disasters and instead of fueling the negative self-destruction; Casey finds her fate in using light and hope to save her own world. 

This theme of man’s own self-destruction is one that subtly runs through the beginning of the narrative and then become the main focus within the final act of the movie. With Hugh Laurie‘s character leading Tomorrowland’s task of warning mankind; he flies off into a enraged rant about the human nature of greed, destruction and hatred. This can get a little preachy and stifling, something that does take away the magic of the films initial fantasy/science fiction genre; despite ringing frighteningly true to contemporary society. 

The performances within TOMORROWLAND are all suitably enjoyable, with each actor finding the right tone of humour and emotion. Britt Robertson does a wonderful, standout job as young Casey. She’s quickly proving herself to be a sharp comedic actress, with much of the films comedy coming from her in the way of perfect timing and physical performance.

Opposite her, George Clooney doesn’t disappoint as the grumpy yet oddly charming Frank and the two of them make an entertainment duo. If there is to be more TOMORROWLAND to come, the inclusion of those two as a double act is essential. Rounding off the Tomorrowland saviors is fairly newcomer Raffey Cassidy, whose talent and onscreen ease is a real pleasure for the audience as she breezes past the annoying child-actor category with grace and comedy. 

TOMORROWLAND’s real downfall is the lack of gusto in the films third and final act. The first three quarters of the film are fueled with fairly high excitment and enough threat to Casey and Frank, keeping audiences invested in their journey to Tomorrowland. However, once they arrive, the narrative becomes less about Casey’s fate as a leader of the future and more about Frank and Athena’s relationship. This is by no means less entertaining but feels much slower in pace compared to the first two acts. 

TOMORROWLAND is pure Disney sugar, but if you’ve got a sweet tooth; you’re going to find yourself quite at home in this wonderous world. Brad Bird’s attempts aren’t going to put TOMORROWLAND in the vault of Disney greats but at its best, it’s a great connection for young girls and science and at worst; it will make for suitable sleepy Sunday night viewing. 

Verdict

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