Tomorrowland: A World Beyond [DVD] [2015]

I love this movie, it’s always been a childhood favorite. It really makes you want to go to Tomorrowland :)

excellent movie

This is one of my all time favorite movies. I'm sorry it didn't do better at the box office, or get better reviews. The performances are well acted and believable. The plot followed along and made sense. I liked the writing. It was the movie's message that struck me. What would be possible without personal agenda? What would be possible if people worked together to create a technological world which simply enhanced people's lives? The issue not address was that different people have different ideas as what that world looks like.

There was a time not so very long ago when Americans faced the future with confidence and optimism.We looked to the heavens and wanted to go there.We welcomed people to our shores and didn't talk about building walls to keep them out.In those halcyon days we didn't fear science.Something changed, however. Many people will blame the 9/11 terrorist attacks for that but the truth is its roots go deeper. In the early 70s we started to become more insular, more anxious. Among the signs that this is so: Veterans who had fought for our country in a misguided and unpopular war wound up sleeping on the streets in increasing numbers because they were demonized by those who never served. People began complaining about paying taxes to support what had once been an excellent public school system.We began looking inward, not outward.It wasn't long before we began looking to the heavens not with wonder but with trepidation and a nagging fear about meteors and comets that could wipe out every living thing on the planet.Director Brad Bird misses those earlier days and said one of the reasons he made "Tomorrowland" was because he wanted to recapture that spirit of optimism that was once so prevalent in America.He succeeded, in my opinion.Brilliantly.The story is fairly complex for a science fiction movie aimed, primarily, at younger audiences. It begins in 1964 when a young boy goes to the New York World's Fair lugging a jet pack that he invented but which doesn't actually work. He is transported to Tomorrowland after meeting a young girl, played by Raffey Cassidy, but eventually leaves that fabled land. The story flashes forward to the present day where a young woman - the daughter of a NASA engineer - is doing her best to stop the American space program from being completely dismantled - both literally and figuratively. She, like the young boy so many years before, also finds herself magically transported to Tomorrowland, which exists in another dimension. Back in her own dimension she longs to return to Tomorrowland and winds up meeting the older, cynical version of the young boy who had once gone to the World's Fair with such optimism. It takes some convincing - and an attack by some murderous androids - but eventually the man and young woman set out for Tomorrowland with the help of Cassidy's character.The cast is excellent and features George Clooney, Hugh Laurie and Britt Robertson in addition to Cassidy. Laurie's character delivers a wonderful monologue toward the end of the movie that, I thought, perfectly summed up the film's intent.The cinematography is top notch and the special effects are excellent but not overwhelming. This is a movie that focuses on the story and the characters, not on the CGI, and that is a major plus in my opinion.A wonderful movie, full of hope, with plenty of action and a strong message: "Tomorrowland" is easily worth 5 stars.

Well, I think this is obvious, but there are SPOILERS ahead.This wonderful-but-flawed movie did not disappoint me when it arrived in theatres or in Blu-ray. I hope this movie is seen by more people now that it is available for streaming and purchase.The Blu-ray features a wonderful cartoon short film to introduce the entire concept of Plus Ultra and the creation of Tomorrowland. Then it resolves into the theatrical film. That is a good way to watch it I think.The original opening (an introduction by the two stars, George Clooney as Frank Walker and Britt Robertson as Casey Newton) is still there right after the animated short and it is still a problem in terms of narrative. It is really unnecessary. I wonder if it is only there so that younger audience members aren't scared too much by the later points of the movie. If you know the two main character survive, it tends to take some of the meanace out of the later proceedings.But this misfire doesn't last long. Almost immediately we are taken via flashback to 1964 and the NY World's Fair. I think it would have been better just to start there. Why? Because once we get to 1964 I had the best 10 minutes of my life watching a film ever. Seriously. It captured everything I love about movies -- adventure, wonder, mystery, and even a little romance.It was outstanding. I think I've watched the World's Fair sequence 20 times since we received the Blu-ray, Totally worth it.It builds your expectation that Tomorrowland will be wonderful.And I think that may be the point. (Maybe intentionally ?), the movie was filled with all of the **expectation** and joy of Tomorrowland -- until you actually got there!! When the movie finally arrives with older Frank and Casey at the very end, Tomorrowland is not as we thought it would be. Then, instead of jet packs and wonder, the long lines kind of ruined it (e.g., Hugh Laurie's speech was a bit too long, the overlong reminiscence by Athena could have been shortened, etc.). Just like Tomorrowland. It is a wonderful place, but waiting for the rides is never quite as much fun as just riding them.In fact, after a long day, it can even seem tiresome.Seem. But in reality Tomorrowland exerts its magic even through your disappointment and fatigue.The film is just like the "real" Tomorrowland,in that regard. I can hardly wait to go back to the film version again!!!EXTRAS: the extras are interesting and fun, particularly a "mock up" of a Disney TV show featuring David Nix (Hugh Laurie) in the 1960's. Somehow, seeing the Nix character interact with the Disney staff was the most charmin thing I've ever seen. There's nothing like a sourpuss to make you appreciate a little saccharine. :-)