Let's be clear -- Hollywood, the critics, even the viewers are not known for being overly kind to filmmakers who want to try something different. Teen comedy about a group of kids looking for weed and girls? Instant hit. Martial artist seeking revenge? Guaranteed cable sale. But here we have an artist so enchanted with the serials of the 1920s 1930s and 1940s that he in effect did an "homage" to them, with an excellent script and A-List actors (Paltrow, Law, Jolie - WOW!). But the real deal was the CGI. It was breath-taking. (And still is, if you watch this on DVD or stream it from the ionosphere). I remember the mandatory interviews that Paltrow (as a lead actress) "had" to give at the time. She kept insisting over and over that the actors had to do their parts "blind" because the CGI was added later. The interviews sounded more like a union grievance than an accolade. But that is beauty of the filmic art. The final product will be available for viewers of the future regardless of how the actors and public treated the film on first release (maybe it should have been called SKY CAPTAIN AND THE VIEWERS OF TOMORROW?). A one of a kind gem and highly recommended.
