My Favourite Movies: Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow

In 1939 New York the airship Hindenburg III docks with the Empire State Building. On it is a mysterious run-away scientist fleeing for his life from the even more mysterious Dr Totenkopf. Investigative journalist Polly Perkins – played to perfection by Gwyneth Paltrow – is chasing a story of missing scientists and meets her contact at the Radio City Music Hall. As she is leaving with startling new evidence New York is attacked by giant robots intent on stealing heavy equipment. As the local authorities are overwhelmed they call for help from the only force capable of intervening – Sky Captain (played by Jude Law). After he cripples several of the robots they vanish as quickly as they arrived, leaving devastation and confusion in their wake. When Sky Captains mechanical genius side-kick Dex discovers a signal controlling the robots he tracks the origin to a remote area of Tibet. Sky Captain and ex-lover Polly set off in pursuit to unmask Totenkopf and save the world from destruction.

This is a seriously fun film. Made almost entirely in CGI it is nothing less that a moving work of art. Almost everything from the backgrounds to the vehicles to entire sets were created by computer with the only real objects being the actors themselves and a few props. The idea works wonderfully to create the atmosphere of the Saturday morning Matinee serials of the 30’s and 40’s I am far too young to remember – except in TV re-runs. Basically a homage to the classic hero story almost forgotten in a world of cynical exploitation and greed this film kept me glued to the screen the whole time. It was dramatic, touching and funny in turn and obviously made by people who knew and loved their genre. Being a Brit I particularly loved Angelina Jolie as Franky the frightfully well spoken Squadron Leader complete with fetching eye patch and tight jet-black uniform. The Dan Dare like flying aircraft carriers were works of genius (though highly impractical if not downright impossible) and I absolutely loved it when the fighters dived towards the sea and became submersibles. Brilliant. If you missed out on this 2004 masterpiece I suggest you rent it or borrow it from a friend. It might take a bit to get into as its probably very different from anything you’ve seen before but trust me, it’ll be worth the effort. Make yourself a mug of your favourite hot drink and enjoy a sample of no holds nostalgic heroism at its best.