Big Fish
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Movie Reviews of Big Fish
Movie Review: Best movie of the year!
Summary: 5 Stars
I took a liking to this movie a bit more extremely than the general public. I really thought this was a major contender with other great films of 2003/04 such as Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King and Mystic River. Althought, I was astonished to see that Big Fish was only up for one Academy Award this year, and it was only for scene creation; not for Movie of the Year or something along those lines.I will be writing this review assuming that you know the plot of this film.
Tim Burton is a pretty popular guy in the movie business. Having done other movies such as Big Fish such as The Night Before Christmas, he is known for making different and unique tales exciting and enjoyable. Big Fish is no acception. The actors all create interesting and meaningful characters that really exciten you as you follow the journey that they persue. Particularly found in the character of Edward Bloom, many/most of the characters are funny, interesting, and exciting. Not too many movies matched up to this character development this year.
What makes this movie so good is the fact that nothing even close to this kind of thing has been created before. This movie is one of the most interesting and different movies to ever be made. It has a lot of traits that only independant films possess like the extremist story line and the outlandish characters and scenes, but it really does teach you a lesson and it does, more importantly, make a huge mark in your mind; comparing other films to Big Fish is almost impossible because there's nothing to compare it to. I love that about movies.
While Big Fish is no Godfather, it is a must-see movie of the year; it is definitely worth just about any movie-goer's time.
Movie Review: A masterpiece; an all-time favorite of mine
Summary: 5 Stars
I rarely cry at movies, but every time I watch Big Fish I am in tears by the film's hugely rewarding end. Of all Burton's lyrical, fantastical, and romantic works, Big Fish stands as his masterpiece (Edward Scissorhands comes in a close second, though, in my opinion). This film is not only moving on a grand level, it's moving on a fascinating level; I have never experienced a film as consistently and emotionally gratifying as this one. Every time I view it, I laugh, get chills, am mesmerized by the sheer wonder and imagination, and--again--am in tears at the film's ending.
Cinematographer Phillipe Rousselot's breathtaking and fantastical visuals and the whimsical performances all lend to the film's effectiveness, but I am convinced that it's Danny Elfman's tidal wave of a moving score that makes the film as beautiful and touching as it is. The film is never overly-sentimental, nor does it suffer from excess (as many movies of today do). Instead, Big Fish is genuinely heartfelt and hugely imaginative. Plus, Burton is the best man for the job for a film about a bizarre storyteller. A wondrous, richly rewarding experience.
The DVD comes with all sorts of great special features. In addition to a plethora of previews, there are many interesting featurettes about the process of making the film, behind-the-scenes footage, and character-oriented featurettes.
Also, there is a hidden movie clip: highlight "Special Features" on the main menu, but do not press enter. Instead, press up twice, and a star will appear above the top-hat. Now press enter, and you will view an interesting little "behind-the-scenes" clip.
I highly recommend this DVD.
Movie Review: Are The Tales Really All That Tall?
Summary: 5 Stars
I really liked this movie, and despite its emotional ending I was somewhat disappointed to find out that the man was a liar all along. Okay, the few final scenes may be open to interpretation, but I still say the guy's a liar. Of course, most people probably know that before they even open the DVD box, but I've always been quite gullible.
But the more I thought about it, the more I thought that we all have tall tales to tell about ourselves. I mean, I've had a cat that could sleep with his eyes open, I've had a job where I cremated people, I once drove home and saw part of a miniature golf course lying on my neighbor's lawn, I've beaten a multi time world champion powerlifter in an official meet, and I once arm wrestled a guy who survived the concentration camps of the holocaust. All of these statements are true, but I'm leaving out a lot of information regarding each one on purpose. I guess knowing what not to say is an important part of storytelling too.
The music in the film is perfect. Perfect. The tall tales are pretty good at bordering reality and fantasy just right, although there are one or two instances where they cut clear into fantasy completely.
Big Fish may not have the originality of The Neverending Story, but it certainly has a lot of charm. The Alabama setting adds a lot to the atmosphere. The title fits in perfectly with the symbolism and themes. I don't recall the use of any bad language. It's probably the closest thing to a George MacDonald story you'll find on film.
(12/12/09 - actually, I do remember some slightly bad language from Devito, and the kids visiting the witch house)
Movie Review: "We are storytellers, both of us"
Summary: 5 Stars
When I watched the trailer for this movie I was left with mixed feelings, on one side I wanted to see it just because it was directed by Tim Burton, but on the other side, what I saw seemed too fantastic for my liking. Luckily, my wife was desperate to watch this film, so I was "forced" into watching it soon after the date of its release in DVD. I say luckily because the story is mesmerizing and the fantastic elements are fun and add a certain charisma to the film.Will (Billy Crudup) is tired of listening to his father tell stories over and over and being the center of attention in every gathering. When at Will's wedding, Edward (Albert Finney/Ewan Mc Gregor) repeats his annoying behavior by retelling the story for the nth time of how he caught a big fish, Will gets extremely angry and they get into a confrontation. This leads to three years of silence between father and son, which is only broken when Edward gets seriously ill and the doctors have no hope left for him.
Will goes back with his parents' house and we get immersed into the different stories Edward told through the years, from a witch that showed him how he was going to die, to the time when he started growing extremely fast and had to spend three years in bed as a result. As the stories pile up, the son finally starts to understand who his father is and to appreciate that which has bothered him for so long.
Tim Burton leads us through a labyrinth of myths and legends, with skillful storytelling and scenes that will make even the toughest of you feel emotional and maybe drop a tear or two. It is definitely I movie I recommend everyone to watch!
Movie Review: Simply A Wonderful Movie
Summary: 5 Stars
Tim Burton's Big Fish is about a man who has led anything but an ordinary life. From working in a circus to befriending a giant, Edward Bloom has done it all. He has done so much, seen so many things, that he has many stories to tell. But to his son William, the stories his father tells get in the way him ever knowing what his father was really like. Now that his father is nearing the end of his life, William takes it upon himself to determine who his father actually was, what he actually did, and how he actually led his life. What William finds forces him to rethink his preconceptions about his father.Big Fish is a wonderful story. Chock full of color, beautiful imagery and metaphor, this movie, primarily examines the relationship between a father and son; but also attempts to answer the question of how someone might choose to lead their life if they knew, for certain, how they were going to die. Think about it, if you knew for sure that you had 50 years left, what would you do? What risks would you take? What adventures would you embark upon? When the day finally came to pass-on, could you look back upon your life and say that you made a difference? Big Fish answers all of these questions...atleast for the life of Edward Bloom.
Tim Burton has crafted yet another amazing story. Big Fish may not contain the graphic wizardry of A Nightmare Before Christmas (though there are some nifty special effects scenes) and may not be quite as haunting as Edward Scissorhands, but Big Fish stands alone as a tale that shows superbly the power that stories can have, and how they can change lives.