A couple months before Tomorrowland came out I was betting with my brother Bob that Jurassic World was going to be better than Tomorrowland. I was bracing for a formulaic movie that was geared for kids and might have a few cool futuristic moments. I have loved everything Brad Bird has done, especially "The Inredibles", but I am so enamored with the future, I was taming my high expectations. Meanwhile, my brother remained optimistic for something better. Boy did I guess wrong on this one. This movie was fun, paced right for a futuristic film, full of surprises and the future was stunning.
But back to my concerns, who doesn't want the kind of future Tomorrowland presents? Consider..
How does the song "There's a great big beautiful tomorrow.." strike you? John Wirt of The Advocate writes "The film’s vague message seems to be: Think positively — or bad things will happen." That reminds me of working with youth at church and one kid with a particularly bad attitude was claiming to understand everything being taught therefore didn't need to listen to the message given. When I asked what the message was he said "Be good." There ya go, tuck that Bible away and just be good! John's take away is 'think positively or bad things will happen.' I suggest you slowly read Teddy Roosevelts famous "It is not the critic who counts.." speech.
Is the conservative creed "I swear to hate windmills and other alternative forms of energy and promise to scoff at everyone driving a gas efficient car?" Yeah, let me in that smoke filled night club so I can guffaw with conservative know-it-alls like John Nolte of Breitbart.com. If you're a conservative that is open to a little ecological technology, don't worry, there's plenty of us out there.
And consider that Brad Bird and company set out to make a big production film that holds to their values and message without looking for the approval of uber bloggers. Making a high buck film like this is about parents taking their kids to something both can enjoy and be inspired by. Remind you of any 'Disney' guys? It's about sharing your message within the sphere of entertaining a wide audience.
I couldn't have enjoyed this film more. George Clooney, Britt Robertson and Hugh Laurie were great. Raffey Cassidy brought sparkle to every scene. The story moved perfectly and the future looked inviting again. I expect others like myself to come to Brad's defense and see a resurgence of this film. Don't wait for the DVD, see it on the biggest screen you can.
