Tomorrowland
- George Clooney Stars But Raffey Cassidy Steals The Show
Tomorrowland
- George Clooney Stars But Raffey Cassidy Steals The Show
Director
Brad Bird in his comments about his new feature film
Tomorrowland says, “It is about
the journey not the destination,” and that is a very apt way to perceive this
film that boasts a tremendous screenplay and storyline crafted by Brad Bird (The
Incredibles), Damon Lindelof and Jeff Jensen. The movie starts off with a
dialogue between George Clooney’s character Frank Walker (as an adult) and Casey
Newton portrayed by American actress Britt Robertson. It is a conversation that
takes place in the here and now or is it in the future? It is a film that
compels us to take a look at decisions and choices made in the past that guide
our present lives and that dictate future outcomes.
This movie has a little of everything in it. There is
action, drama, humor, some great special effects and there is a hint of romance,
but not in a way that you would expect. Most of all there are outstanding acting
performances of course by Clooney, certainly by Robertson, but also from
thirteen year old British actress Raffey Cassidy as Athena the common thread
between Frank Walker and Casey Newton. Child actor Pierce Gagnon also puts in a
solid performance, as Casey’s brother Nate Newton. Hugh Laurie appears as David
Nix, but his acting is somewhat limited by the narrow emotional scope of his
character and we will leave it at that, so we do not spoil the plot. Amazingly
enough Raffey Cassidy is rumored to have performed a number of her own
stunts (as revealed in a studio interview with Robertson) and during her own
interview Cassidy talks about taking martial arts lessons and gymnastic lessons
to prepare for her part in this film. Audiences are going to fall in love with
the charming Raffey Cassidy and who the young actress is when she is not in
front of the cameras seems equally as charming. Tim McGraw appears as Eddie
Newton, the father of Casey and Nate.
This is a Disney film, so I suppose bearing that in mind
one needs to take executive producer Jeff Jensen’s comments with a grain of salt
when he talks about the other dimensional city
Tomorrowland embodying the hope and
values of the late Walt Disney in terms of it representing what can happen when
everyone dreams and works together and comes together creatively to develop a
better world. Tomorrowland of course
also refers to one of the attractions in Disney World. Leaving aside the obvious
commercial break for his employer, Jensen’s description however, does provide an
accurate description of how Tomorrowland
at least started out. Without giving away too much, Athena and the young Frank
Walker both resided at one time in
Tomorrowland, but both were also exiled and forbidden to pass through the
entry portal to the city that resides in another dimension.
Casey Newton, Frank Walker and Athena are out to save
the world, but which world are they saving? If we told you we would be ruining
the film and if we told you what they are saving it from that too would be a
spoiler.
Maybe Jeff Jensen is not wrong afterall in saying this
would be a film that Walt Disney would have liked. Afterall it was Walt Disney
who inspired our imaginations and our dreams.
Go see
Tomorrowland and if you have children take them with you.