|
The
Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl in 3-D
 Release
Date: June 10, 2005
Studio: Dimension Films
Director: Robert Rodriguez
Screenwriter: Robert Rodriguez
Starring: David Arquette, Kristin Davis,
Taylor Dooley, Taylor Lautner, Cayden Boyd, George Lopez,
Sasha Pieterse
Genre: Action,
Adventure, Family
MPAA Rating: PG (for mild action and some rude humor)
Official Website:
SharkboyandLavagirlthemovie.com
DVD/VHS:
DVD |
DVD (2-D Version)
Plot Summary: From the
wild imagination of a child and the digital vision of
director Robert Rodriguez (creator of the hit "Spy Kids"
series as well as the recently acclaimed "Sin City") comes
the magical, original, not to mention three-dimensional,
family entertainment, "The Adventures of Sharkboy and
Lavagirl in 3-D". "The Adventures of Shark Boy and Lava Girl
in 3-D" is written and directed by Robert Rodriguez, based
on the intergalactic journeys and superhero stories created
by his seven year-old son Racer Max.
Review By Peter Veugelaers
- Take a pot shot but be warned.
This review was written after viewing
in a theatre.
What if sci-fi special effects movies went three dimensional?
We could be seeing Star Wars in 3-D if theatres screen movies digitally.
That could be a real eye feast. Prominent Hollywood directors including George
Lucas, Robert Zemeckis, James Cameron, and maker of the Adventures of
Sharkboy and Lavgirl in 3-D, Robert Rodriguez, have talked earlier this year
about projecting 3-D films digitally using a new 2-D to 3-D conversion process.
This might happen by the end of the decade. Certainly, it is needed, not only
for the economics of the industry which competes with home entertainment. The
limits of 3-D are noticeable when movies like Sharkboy and Lavagirl in 3-D
arrive which has conspicuously mediocre effects. When a cuckoo clock bird
striking its chimes is the most surprising this movie can get then that proves
the creativity of 3D here is minimal, and much like Jaws 3-D (1983)
suspending a piranha in midair, Sharkboy and Lavagirl’s contribution to
the world of 3-D is no more enticing.
Still, the vivid multi-dimensional framing is the best thing
about 3-D in this movie taking the viewer eye catchingly out of the usual flat
screen format with the movie’s lucid fantasy world based on Rodriguez seven-year
old son’s stories and dreams.
The story and plot turns are contrived but since this movie is about dreams and
their ideals and opposites this could be expected. But the plot is sometimes
incoherent and presents its oft-repeated, albeit intriguing central idea about
unselfishness, where the main character Max (Cayden Boyd), a boy who retreats
into an imaginary world which comes alive and who must save the world he has
dreamt from a mock-formidable villain, Mr Electric (George Lopez), who is
orchestrating the elimination of good dreams in Max’s fantasy world. Max’s
parents are headed for separation so his dream trajectory symbolises his desire
for escape and a better real life. Sharkboy (Taylor Lautner) and Lavagirl
(Taylor Dooley) are Max’s own creations in his live fantasy environment, guides
who have the power to help him, but in spite of the title, this is not about
them as much as it is about Max.
The idealistic theme is presented heart-warmingly, expressed
with sincere one-liners, suitable for kids and their families and is so
obviously aimed for families that this inoffensively hits the target market.
The novelty of 3-D should please young first-timers to the
genre like it did for their parents and grandparents who won’t find anything
fresh here but since 3-D is a rare outing these days it might lure some older
folks who will like to relieve the experience. But wait for 3-D to play
digitally and then we’ll probably be seeing something fresh.
We would love to know what you think, sound off on the
movie message boards and let us know how you liked the movie!
|
