So what do we have here - supposedly a famous book, alas I haven't read it, either way the film should be able to stand on its own legs which I can't see t doing.
Lots of money was spent in endless CGI shots but again there was no emotion - I watched it in disbelief, asking myself what for.
I like Robert Downey but after watching this production a bit less. Acting all in all is somehow middle of the road but partially just bad. Mr Downey unfortunately fits right in here, his sin is that he is just boring. I see him trying to pull of some 'amazing' acting stunts - like what's with the endless impersonation of numerous characters, one worse than the other. He's no Marlon Brando and shouldn't try to be one. Besides that he's also credited as 'executive producer'. It seems nowadays everybody is one! One has no idea if he actually fulfilled this job there (probably not) or, as usual, the 'production' put an exec producer crown on his head just because....we'll never find out why and how that came about, I guess we better don't want to know anyway.
Regarding directing: To me it looks like the director tried hard to be 'original' - to what purpose though stays unclear to me.
Regarding camera, lighting, design, sound etc; all crew involved are obviously good tradesmen but is that enough?
Resume: HBO tried to pull off producing a TV 'prestige' show but failed miserably. They attempted to marry Apocalypse Now with MASH.
Lots of money was spent in endless CGI shots but again there was no emotion - I watched it in disbelief, asking myself what for.
I like Robert Downey but after watching this production a bit less. Acting all in all is somehow middle of the road but partially just bad. Mr Downey unfortunately fits right in here, his sin is that he is just boring. I see him trying to pull of some 'amazing' acting stunts - like what's with the endless impersonation of numerous characters, one worse than the other. He's no Marlon Brando and shouldn't try to be one. Besides that he's also credited as 'executive producer'. It seems nowadays everybody is one! One has no idea if he actually fulfilled this job there (probably not) or, as usual, the 'production' put an exec producer crown on his head just because....we'll never find out why and how that came about, I guess we better don't want to know anyway.
Regarding directing: To me it looks like the director tried hard to be 'original' - to what purpose though stays unclear to me.
Regarding camera, lighting, design, sound etc; all crew involved are obviously good tradesmen but is that enough?
Resume: HBO tried to pull off producing a TV 'prestige' show but failed miserably. They attempted to marry Apocalypse Now with MASH.