Robert Zemeckis’ last two films – A Christmas Carol and Beowulf – weren’t exactly runaway box office or critical successes, and his last live-action feature-film – Cast Away – came out some twelve years ago.
Fortunately for fans of his older work, Zemeckis is making a return to live-action this fall with Flight, about an airline pilot (Denzel Washington) who narrowly saves a jet and its passengers from total destruction – and then faces national scrutiny when it turns out he’d been drinking the night before.
Based solely on the trailer, the film looks like it could be a real return to form for the director of the Back to the Future films, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Romancing the Stone, and Forrest Gump (amongst other things). Despite saving the lives of many passengers by avoiding a full-on crash – a feat few pilots the world over would be capable of – Whip (played by Denzel) could go to prison for imbibing prior to taking flight.
With an excellent cast that includes Denzel at the top of his game, John Goodman, Don Cheadle, and James Badge Dale – a villain in Shane Black’s upcoming Iron Man 3 – the footage is equal parts funny, dramatic, and interesting, with a healthy mix of “trial genre” thrown in for good measure.
Since Cast Away, Zemeckis has seemingly devoted his career to making motion-capture films – all of which have been heavily criticized for the zombie-like appearance of their characters (an effect commonly known as “the uncanny valley”). While I personally thought Polar Express was harmless and Beowulf had its moments, I didn’t even notice that his iteration of A Christmas Carol had come and gone in 2009.
Regardless, the critical consensus seems to be that Zemeckis’ motion-capture experiment has been much less interesting than his use of real live human beings and regular old cameras, so it’s good to see him back at work with both.
Apparently, Disney agrees with that sentiment, as they canceled his motion-capture remake of Yellow Submarine after Mars Needs Moms - which Zemeckis produced – made barely over 21 million dollars domestically on a budget more than six times that figure. It’s probably for the best that Yellow Submarine stalled, as zombie-esque Beatles might seem a little insensitive.
Flight hits theaters November 2nd, 2012.
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looks good!
Great looking movie — with an article title like this one, I was expecting a Hancock crack… glad it’s a serious movie.
Yeah, when I read the tittle I immediately thought Hancock. Thank God it isn’t a ripoff!
I thought so too, thats the reason I came on to this story, just to see.
I expected after they showed him in the hospital that they would say something like “We can rebuild you, make you faster, stronger” or something like that. Thank God I was wrong, I shouldn’t be surprised that Denzel wouldn’t do a Hancock remake, Denzel has never done anything that was BAD.
That actually really intrigues me! Might check it out.
airbus a380 inverted flight. yeah right!
Denzel could fly a hippo upside down if he wanted.
When I 1st saw the title I was expecting another action movie from Denzel and in all honesty I wasn’t to interested. I’d watch it on Blu-ray and then forget about it.
But this seems pretty interesting. And it’s about time Zemeckis is back doing live action again. He was on a pretty great run in the 80′s & 90′s and started the 2000′s in good form with What Lies Beneath and Cast Away but I lost interest when he started doing Mo-Cap.
So add this to the incredible slate of films that’s coming out the rest of this year. And don’t be surprised if we see Denzel’s name on some ballots come awards season.
Hell yeah, i’m definitely gonna see this. Denzel showed that with Safe House, he hasn’t lost form. Can’t wait.
Hell yeah, i’m definitely gonna see this. Denzel showed that with Safe House, he hasn’t lost form after all these years. I can’t wait.
* MARS Needs MOMS and Cast Away came out 12 years ago.
Thanks. Fixed.
Cast Away was released in 2000, thus making it 12 years since Robert Zemeckis’ last live-action feature.
Whoops. Too late.
Denzel Washinghton + Robert Zemeckis = movie ticket!
Anyway, this seems pretty generic for a director like Zemeckis. But I am there.
Its looks really good, I cant wait to see it. Denzel has return to full form.
Denzel Washington doesn’t make bad movies.
meh
This looks good. Great cast, and any trailer that has Gimme Shelter in it instantly gets my intention!
Big time pass.
“Gimme Shelter” generally gets licensed and used in “heavy”,
big-budget stuff (Scorcese, twice so far? etc)..
that aside, this looks great.
Thrice: Goodfellas, Casino, The Departed. ; )
hi again my comment on denzel washington i want to know wat happen on the plane with him denzel washington know how to play his game right at the top 100 an he is my hero in all his movies.
Good lord, man, was that english?
Looks fantastic. Do I sense major recognition come awards season?
Saw Flight today, HUGE disappointment. Waste of time and money! 20 minutes of the movie was the flight, 2 hrs of watching a drunk!
This was the worst movie Mr. Washington ever played in.. As a BlackMan this was the most Disrespectful movie in the world. Im shock he took this role. They wouldnt give him a oscar for Malcolm X but if he portray a blackman in a disrespectful tone then he gets an Oscar… I love D. Washington as one of our best actors. but I hate this movie. No real Black Man would like this movie but if you are a Uncle Tom YOU WOULD love it…. this doesnt ring Oscar it rings Disrespect to the African American Pilots, and to Black MEN ALL OVER THE WORLD…
This was one of the most offensive and racist movie I have seen in a long time. First off they painted black men in bad light by saying all black men fit the stereo type: drugs, jail, alcohol abuse and lose they mind over young white women, but want the black woman to have their back in time of illegal need. Second they act like black women were not good enough to play the love interest part as usual and third made a liar out of Denzel Washington.