Matt Reviews "Tomorrowland"

Matt here!

As I went to the local theater with my wife and two young daughters to go see Disney’s Tomorrowland (loosely based on its theme park), we awaited the start of the film with the usual trailers for upcoming film releases. One of them was a disaster film called San Andreas, starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, about the destruction of California due to a major earthquake along the San Andreas faultline. As we watched that trailer, set to a haunting, slow Sia cover of The Mamas & The Papas' "California Dreamin'," I could see the awe and dread in my daughters’ eyes and, for the first time, thought the trailer alone was pretty intense and gratuitous. Even the end of the trailer has a public service announcement/advertisement stating: "You never know when disaster may strike. Be prepared. Visit _____." This summer’s film release schedule appears mostly full of death, destruction and havoc – and don’t get me wrong, I love plenty of those films – but, from time to time, it’s great to see something inspiring, something full of hope, and something magical … but without causing me to roll my eyes!

Thankfully, Tomorrowland – by director Brad Bird (The Incredibles, The Iron Giant, Mission:Impossible – Ghost Protocol) and screenwriter Damon Lindelof (ABC’s Lost), with an assist from former Entertainment Weekly Online columnist Jeff Jensen – has delivered all of those things! The story starts with boy genius inventor Frank Walker (Thomas Robinson, later George Clooney) who, in 1965, invents a jet pack and is given a secret “key,” in the shape of a lapel pin, to a world in another dimension where all of this world’s inventors, musicians, scientists, writers, mathematicians, engineers, and other creators are brought to make a better world. Flashforward to the present time as we are introduced to Casey Newton (Britt Robertson), an optimistic, curious teenager who “just knows how things work” and is given the same “key” by Athena (an impressive Raffey Cassidy), the same unaged little girl who invited Frank when he was a boy. What sounds like a regular ragtag buddy road movie soon takes a serious turn as a group of overly-polite cyborgs are sent after Frank and Casey to kill them. 

The audience catches its first glimpse of the amazement of Tomorrowland, as seen through the eyes of protagonist Casey Newton (Britt Robertson).

I won’t say anymore than that as Disney was right to show mostly teaser trailers before this film’s release, but what follows is an action film with plenty of exposition but not too much of either. The film reminds me of two things. The first is one of my most favorite Disney animated movies: 2007’s Meet the Robinsons – a movie about time travel and setting your own course when it comes to your future. The second is a clip of filmmaker Kevin Smith speaking a few years ago, talking about the death of his father. It’s a touching, poignant story he tells and Smith goes on to say how there are too many people who are “Why? People”: people who always ask why. Smith goes on to say we should be “Why not? People”: people who are up for trying anything creative and productive to society. He says there are a lot of cynical people out there and we should surround ourselves with the “Why not? People.” This same message exudes from the overall message of Tomorrowland. Athena says, “Dreamers need to stick together.” And this is the film in which will bring said dreamers out of the woodwork!

There is a nice twist of a villainous plot – no matter how gratuitous – and the reasoning for the plot involves the reason for the cynicism pushed so frequently nowadays. Some may find the villain’s overall motivation a bit preachy – and if you do a Google search, you’ll find those reviews – but I found it all a clever spin on how hate and destruction begets hate and destruction … no matter how good the intentions … of anyone. There is a definite connection between this concept and all of the cable news channels today – especially when it comes to the “news” stories of which these networks choose to report on. One scene sees Casey in school, listening to teachers give a barrage of all that is wrong with the world -- or will be wrong -- but Casey brings up the quintessential question that no cable news or even politicians can answer (even though they pretend as if they can): How do we fix it? In fact, the film gives great social commentary by making brief mentions of real-life issues such as the decreased numbers of NASA manned space exploration missions, climate change, 9/11, cable news reporting via pushing a political agenda, and being yourself in an age of conformity. 

Athena (Raffey Cassidy) is the guide to Tomorrowland and proves that appearances can be deceiving!

One of the breakout stars of this film is Raffey Cassidy, who joins the ranks of her co-star Britt Robertson, as well as Interstellar’s Mackenzie Foy, as one of the great, promising young actresses out there right now. A lot of the emotional resonance of the story rides on her character and she pulls it off effortlessly. She, along with Robertson, also contribute a growing list of brilliant young female characters in today’s films – something which I only hope continues on to become normal in cinematic storytelling. Clooney does a good job, bringing on the cool-yet-grumpy tones to the character, but where he really shines are in the highly emotional scenes – one being near the end of the film, focusing on the loss of childhood friendship. Cinematographer Claudio Miranda is not quite the household name amongst cinephiles yet, but with this film – along with The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Tron: Legacy, Life of Pi, and Oblivion – under his belt, he soon will be! He plays a major role in taking us from the modern world to this classic 1950s world of sci-fi that most of us born before 1985 all grew up believing. One of my favorite early moments in the film is when the boy Frank Walker is asked why he invented the jet pack. He says something to the effect of, “Can’t an invention just be … fun? … This jet pack will make people believe in a better world. Believe that a better world is possible.” That is the child-like fun and simple genius of Tomorrowland.

I wouldn’t say Tomorrowland is flawless, and some may not agree with my praise of it. I can say there are predictable reveals for a seasoned filmgoer such as myself; however, unlike most films, the predictability here is very much welcomed and nice to see play out. Some may think the optimism too sappy or pretentious, but the same could be said for classics such as It’s a Wonderful Life, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, or any other feel-good movie. Nevertheless, Tomorrowland works! It takes me back to being a kid, going to the movies to see films like Back to the Future, Jaws, Star Wars, E.T., The Goonies, and not only feeling the unabashed joy, hope, sadness, and terror myself … but also seeing it (and hearing it) from the people around me. 

Getting ready for the trip to Tomorrowland!

In the end, Tomorrowland is easily one of the best all-around films I’ve seen in a long time … and, so far, it’s a heavy contender to be my pick for best film of 2015. It’s a fun ride the entire family will enjoy and also one of the very few films I can’t wait to see again simply because there is so much to take in and love. It’s everything a truly good film should be: fun, entertaining, emotional, thrilling. Also, the hope and inspiration Tomorrowland instills by the time the end credits roll is what Disney has always been about! And in an age with mostly realistic, gritty drama, it’s a welcome sight to behold!