Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow

Original post: 16th September 2007

I did say I was going to watch some Sky Captain, didn’t I? Well here’s the low-down (caution: I love sci-fi films like this so I may be biased):

Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow is a visually stunning piece that mirrors the soft lighting (but high contrast) of the film-noir era but also adds in the undefined colours that bring to mind The Wizard of Oz (which, incidentally, features in this film.) There is beautiful portrayal of pre/post-war America and Americanisms similar to those in the Nero Wolfe television series that builds atmosphere from the very beginning (especially noticeable in the awesome appearance of the blimps – one of which is named the Hindenburg III – and the flipping of newspaper headlines and superimposed images) and is soup for the soul for those of us who like that period of time.

The characterisations are both brilliant and mediocre. Polly Perkins, in my humble opinion, is one of the most annoying female characters ever created for the big screen. Although her general clumsiness is key to the flow of plot and her determination to get her scoop are such appealing qualities befitting a ’strong, female’ protagonist, she belongs better as a Mary Sue on the pages of Marvel comics. While heartless in the pursuit of a story (cutting Sky Captain’s fuel line leaving him behind in Manchuria for a brief sojourn in their slave camps), Miss Perkins has an affinity for saving cuddly, endangered animals and reading German in times of dire need. Not to mention her 1337-skillz at not messing her picture-perfect hair and lips and tottering through the jungle in amazingly high heels.

Sky Captain is another of those run-of-the-mill male protagonists from the film-noir era; specifically the Philip Marlowe-esque (see Humphrey Bogart as Sam Spade in The Maltese Falcon) sleaze-bags who have the power to have women running after then in all ports of call. I’m not a big fan of Jude Law so I’m afraid that I don’t have much to say about him.

One good point in his relationship with Polly Perkins is that they bicker like brother and sister, an image that is forever marred by their kiss at a moment when it is neither the time nor the place.

As per usual in many films, the most interesting character(isation)s belong to the minor characters.

Franky (played by Angelina Jolie) is one of those strong, female types who sit on the fence that separates good and original characterisation from the Mary Sue kingdom. Angelina Jolie does quite an impressive performance as the commander (?) of a British (Aerial) Naval ship with really a good British accent (that only leaves me to add a mental “what, what!” to the end of her sentences.) Despite the unexplained eye-patch, she’s beautiful as always.

Giovanni Ribisi plays an adorable Dex Dearborn (all-American boy and genius mechanic) who swears like Biff and Happy from Death of a Salesman and other young boys resulting from the ideal of the American Dream. He chews gum, has a squishy face and says: “Son of a gun!” and his dedication as Sky Captain’s sidekick is non-wavering, leading – inevitably – to the slashing of the two characters a la Batman and Robin.

Other characters of note are the Mysterious Woman (played by Ling Bai, who is unbelievable scary in real life – reminding me, unfortunately, of a dear friend), Dr. Totenkopf (played by the very late Laurence Olivier as taken from archive footage – tell me that is not cool) and Kaji (Omid Djalili, whom you may recognise as Lupo from Casanova) who is comically dirty-minded and undeniably lovable.

Overall, this film has that gritty, grungy feel of Blade Runner or Mortal Engines sci-fi but with definitely less going on in the post-apocalyptic feel. It ends in a risible scene that sees Gwyneth Paltrow depict Polly Perkins’ smile leave her face as fast as a lead weight plunging into the depths of the ocean.