This end of the world "disaster" movie looked too formula from the get go, which isn't a bad thing, because the lead characters are likable enough to care about, but the "formula" became overkill.
A lot of things work well. The hard cuts instead of fades, which is to denote a semblance of no time passing, but which I like in any case, because I am not a fan of fade moves. I'm glad that wasn't overused here.
But what really struck me was the extreme use of special effects and many camera angles. In fact, there were so many dolly shots, pans, ups, downs, tilts, that it's obvious they were experimenting, or doing a "test run movie" to enhance director and camera skills.
That doesn't make it bad. Not saying that. It's watchable, and the characters are likable, as I said.
What really made me go down with a low score was the overkill of special effects. Old Broccoli 007 films knew how to alternate between effects, action, wit, and dialog to keep one interested.
That "rotation" is lost with today's movie maker. We have "mechanics" making movies instead of artists.
I have nothing against his movie. In fact, it would get two more stars from me if it didn't overkill on the effects. And I realize that is the modern trend, to make movies that make a viewer feel like he is in a Vegas slot machine room, but that's a tired feeling for me.
As for the camera angles, I think they did a splendid job. Too splendid. This is "mechanics trying to be artists".
Good mechanics. Not so great artists.
A lot of things work well. The hard cuts instead of fades, which is to denote a semblance of no time passing, but which I like in any case, because I am not a fan of fade moves. I'm glad that wasn't overused here.
But what really struck me was the extreme use of special effects and many camera angles. In fact, there were so many dolly shots, pans, ups, downs, tilts, that it's obvious they were experimenting, or doing a "test run movie" to enhance director and camera skills.
That doesn't make it bad. Not saying that. It's watchable, and the characters are likable, as I said.
What really made me go down with a low score was the overkill of special effects. Old Broccoli 007 films knew how to alternate between effects, action, wit, and dialog to keep one interested.
That "rotation" is lost with today's movie maker. We have "mechanics" making movies instead of artists.
I have nothing against his movie. In fact, it would get two more stars from me if it didn't overkill on the effects. And I realize that is the modern trend, to make movies that make a viewer feel like he is in a Vegas slot machine room, but that's a tired feeling for me.
As for the camera angles, I think they did a splendid job. Too splendid. This is "mechanics trying to be artists".
Good mechanics. Not so great artists.