Document text
- Subscribe - Contact Us - Rate Card - Place an Ad Archives Revels Classifieds Real Estate Menu Guide Wedding Weather Subscribe Contact Us May 26, 2005 ‘Millions’ proves again the power of storytelling in movies (unlike the latest Star Wars flick) By Chris Honoré For the Daily Tidings And the buzz surrounding “Episode III” was so good. But then ever since the first “Star Wars” movie appeared on the big screen all of the films have created huge anticipation. The first three episodes were, in a word, breathtaking. Lucas pushed the edge of the envelope with special effects and created a panoply of characters that so captured the imagination of the movie-going public that dialogue from the films became part of the language. Recall President Reagan using the terms “Star Wars”to refer to a missile system and “evil empire” to describe the Soviet Union. For many, the use of “May the force be with you” has taken on a quasi-religious meaning, uttered only in hushed tones. In these initial films there was so much to absorb that little attention was paid to either the story or the acting. This wasn’t about narrative or character development. It was about the gestalt of the films, the sum total of a great struggle between the “dark side,” symbolized by Darth Vader, and the forces of good as represented by the Jedi Knights and Obi-Wan Kenobi. Spectacular scenes involving an array of ETs from planets throughout the galaxy were seamlessly blended with a King Arthur, Knights of the Round Table tale, buttressed by futuristic weaponry and star ships. Recall the first time Darth Vader filled the screen, surrounded by Storm Troopers, his sonorous voice punctuated by his asthmatic breathing. Wow. It was mythic, universal — and it clearly resonated with millions of fans. However, when George Lucas made the decision to follow up the Star Wars trilogy (episodes IV, V, and VI) with a prequel trilogy, the rules for filmmaking shifted. He committed to telling a long backstory, explaining how the characters, who were so indelibly etched in the movie-goers’ imaginations, came to be. In other words, the prequels were not about the power of special effects to enthrall, but about the narrative. The characters. And so, for all of George Lucas’ ability to marshal some of the most stunning computer graphics ever to grace a movie, episodes I and II seemed flat, wooden, absent a stirring story and dialogue that carried any emotional punch. Hence, the patina of astonishment and enthrallment that accompanied the first trilogy began to tarnish. And now the final chapter of this almost thirty-year saga has been released: “Episode III: Revenge of the Sith.” Like all of its predecessors, it is visually rich and engaging; however the impact fades because far too little time is spent on a clear and coherent story or on character development. It is a cul-de-sac of Lucas’ own making and one he can’t seem to write himself out of. The rationale for Anakin Skywalker, a Jedi Knight, embracing the dark side and betraying all that he cares about is never believable. Yet Lucas must use this metamorphosis as the fulcrum for all that transpires as we watch the destruction of Anakin and the creation of Darth Vader, the prince of darkness. In the end, Lucas ignores one of the fundamental precepts of moviemaking: it’s all about the story. Not about special effects. That’s proven to be an elusive truth for many filmmakers, Lucas included. But not all. Case in point is the small English film “Millions,” currently playing at the Varsity Theatre. From the first frame to the last, the movie tells the story of two brothers and their attempt to deal with the death of their mother. The youngest, Damian (Alex Etel), age seven, whose imagination is fully engaged, has become obsessed with saints. He reads about them, knows when they lived and what miracles they performed. In fact, he sees them and talks to them about the mysteries of life. His brother Anthony (Lewis McGibbon), age ten, in contrast, is rooted in reality and lacks any patience for Damian’s flights of fantasy. Their lives are dramatically changed one afternoon when Damian is playing in an elaborate cardboard fort he has fashioned from appliance boxes. A large athletic bag seemingly drops from the sky. He discovers it is filled with cash, $265,000 pounds sterling. Damian thinks it’s a miracle, money sent from God so that he might do good, following the example of his saints. He decides he wants to help the poor. Anthony, who is a financial whiz, has different ideas. There is also the added pressure that all of the cash will become worthless in a matter of days if it isn’t either spent or converted into Euros for Britain is about to make the change over. A fact known not only to the brothers but to the bad guys who are looking for the missing money. Striking a fine balance, “Millions,” examines how two very different brothers deal with the loss of a parent. The film never becomes overly maudlin nor does it romanticize the innocence of childhood. Growing up means gradually, often reluctantly, relinquishing a particular view of the world, one in which all is assumed to be inherently good. And it means coming to terms with life as it is: often unforgiving and unexpectedly harsh. That is the journey the two brothers make together. What “Millions” does well is focus on the characters, developing their stories in an imaginative and touching way. It is filmmaking at its best and stands in stark contrast to so many films now called blockbusters that have at their center a void. Hollywood has been seduced by the impulse to super size, to create larger-than-life effects as only the ever evolving cutting edge technology can. But along the way what has been lost is the essence of filmmaking: the compelling story wherein characters are created that the audience can care about. This is no small thing. And when it is done well, as it is in Millions, it can surpass all other forms of story telling. DailyTidings.com Home Page Archives | Revels | Classifieds | Real Estate Guide | Weather | Subscribe | Contact Us Copyright 2005 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers All Rights Reserved Deep Muscle Stimulator Ceramic Piggy Banks FREE Entertainment Guide Women's & Men's Slippers Accelerate Weightloss Products Backpacks Online Pharmacy Vegas Travel Guide Search Engine Optimization Student Loans Hotel & Airline Reservations Hammocks Water Filter Helzberg Diamonds Online Casinos Community Bonus Casino Mortgage Calculator Security Systems Mailing Lists Click Here Advertisement .:Advertisements:. Site Search: RESOURCES - Mail Tribune News - ODOT Road Cams