The Black Hole
|
List Price: Our Price: $3.89 You Save: $11.10 (74%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $3.34 (click here) Category: DVD See more DVD releases |
|---|
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
Movie Reviews of The Black Hole
Movie Review: The Journey That Begins Where Everything Ends!
Summary: 5 Stars
A fantastical reimagining of "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea", in Disney's "The Black Hole" we instead find our film's heroes out in space, taking refuge aboard the U.S.S. Cygnus, a ship believed to have been lost until now. The Cygnus now sits at the edge of an ominous and mysterious black hole, crewed by robots and mysterious hooded figures, and captained by the mad Doctor Hans Reinhardt, who is determined to travel into the mouth of the black hole and beyond.
Disney's 1979 sci-fi classic, "The Black Hole", is often falsely remembered as a box office flop, and it gets a lot of flack for its dialogue, two cartoony "good guy" robots (voiced by Roddy McDowall and Slim Pickens), and it's reportedly conceived at the last-minute finale. All the praise for this one tends to go to its stunning visuals and amazing score. And, I'll grant that the score by John Barry and the beautiful visuals throughout the film are amazing, downright glorious. This movie is candy for the eyes and ears, no doubt. To me, it's "Space Mountain: The Movie". And, despite being a huge fan and a huge Disney fan in general, I don't claim this movie is perfect. I don't really understand why some people have a problem with "cute" characters like the robots V.I.N.C.E.N.T. and Old B.O.B., or the Ewoks from Star Wars, etc..., as if there are no "cute" things in the real world or something. Frankly, I think if they weren't in the film it would be a huge loss. They are an identifying factor for the film and add the much needed lighthearted moments, and they have even more personality than the human stars, as great as they are. It's a heck of a cast, too, with Maximilian Schell as the mad Doctor, Robert Forster as the leader of the good guys, and his crew, Anthony Perkins, Yvette Mimieux, Tom McLoughlin, and Ernest Borgnine. And frankly, I think the finale, last minute or not, is what truly makes this film so great! It may not be as awe inspiring to some as the "interpret it yourself" ending of 2001, but in all honesty, that's not good storytelling. It can make for a good movie, but it's not a true ending to a story. While I can appreciate something like the more "artsy" ending of 2001, I appreciate getting a full story, complete with clear and literal ending, a bit more. Now, some people, even those who worked on Black Whole, try to act like it has an "interpret it yourself" ending as well, but that's a little hard to swallow. I don't want to blow it for folks who haven't seen it here, but it's very understandable and clear, and I think it's a brilliant idea that was beautifully and eerily executed. So, basically, to me, this movie is a pure delight. A total pleasure and not a guilty one, and vastly underrated.
As for the Disney DVD release itself, it's a nice upgrade from the Anchor Bay edition I used to own. It has enhanced widescreen, a featurette that is essentially an interview with Harrison Ellenshaw, Matte Effects Supervisor on the film and son of Disney Legend Peter Ellenshaw, the man who was really behind the overall look of the film, and also an extended theatrical trailer. It's a fine release for fans of this truly entertaining and awe inspiring moment in Disney history.
Movie Review: Holy bejeebers Batman; it's a black hole!
Summary: 5 Stars
If you were around when this film was being made, you'll remember; so was George Lucas's "Star Wars". It was just a question of who was going to get to the box office first. Star Wars got out there first, which detained the release of Disney's "The Black Hole" by a few years. It had been argued amoung my friends, back then, that if the "Black Hole" had made it out first, it would have done fabulously at the box office. Unfortunately, once Lucas's "Star Wars" got released, "The Black Hole" had to measure up to that calibre of special effects and story pacing, which it could not. So, saddly it did poorly in box office sales.
In fact, I was working at Magic Mountain's Showcase Theatre back then and got called to work one day as a technician on Disney's "Black Hole". I can see the two scenes that were shot the day I worked the film when I watch the movie. That was about 30 years ago and was the most money I ever earned in one day for that time period. Disney paid their technicians well back in those days. Wish they had hired me on full time. It looked like a very interesting project to be involved with.
Anyway, this film draws from the concept of Disney's "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea", in concept, when you know the background of this film's script. It's about a group of space explorers who travel from the earth to a starship run by the captain who has changed all the crew into robots to serve his will, as he endeavors to make plans to go into one of the largest black holes in space; man has ever encountered. How it all ends, you'll have to view for yourself.
The movie is more slow paced in flow than Lucus's Star Wars. Still it has a good cast, decent acting and good special effects for the most part; with some story and effects flaws. The music is excellent; which helps carry the film's ambiance of spirit. It's a great film for the entire family to watch. There is one human death in the movie and a host of robot death's in terms of the violence level, in case you are deciding if your children should see this film.
Movie Review: Why I love The Black Hole
Summary: 5 Stars
The DVD is much cleaner and clearer than my VHS copy. I think Disney could have put together a better DVD package. I was hoping for a few more documentaries, even a commentary track. But given that it's not that popular of a movie, or even a critically acclaimed one, I doubted that would happen. The documentary provided on the disc gave me a respect for the processes and technological breakthroughs (of the time)for the Black Hole.
As for the film itself...There are some films out there that no matter how "stiff" or "bad" the acting, how "horrible" the plot, how "cheesy" the dialog, how un-scientific certain elements of the film may be (even though the film is labeled Science Fiction...emphasis on Fiction) you will genuinely enjoy and grow to have a real fondness for, despite it's perceived flaws.
The Black Hole in my opinion is one of these films. The Black Hole carried me with its concept. I liked every character(okay, B.O.B got on my nerves sometime)in the movie. I like Dr. Durant's search for scientific truth and his growing admiration for the superior genius of Dr Reinhardt, I also liked the psychic connection between Kate and V.I.N.CENT. (though unexplained in the film how a human can have a psychic link with a robot...yet it's an interesting concept.)
Anyway if you're looking for an enjoyable movie that may (it probably will) leave you with questions and commentary on acting, plot, dialog, and questionable science...Then this Disney classic is tailor made for you.
Note: John Barry's fantacular score for The Black Hole greatly enhances your listening and viewing pleasure. I also enjoyed the spiritual/biblical connotations within the film.
enommaz
Movie Review: A Cheesy Classic, FX Breakthroughs Galore
Summary: 5 Stars
I remember going to see The Black Hole at the drive-in when I was five years old, but I had to wait until I was 28 before I could see it again. By that time I was an FX gunkie, actually due mostly to seeing this film, and the movie floored me all over again with some of the most incredible film techniques to hit the big screen ever.
Keep in mind, this movie is a case of some of the most horrid script-writing you will ever see in sci-fi . . . the only cut I can think of that beats it is the Star Wars Holiday Special (yes, the writing is THAT bad). But if you are a space fan, or like me watch high-tech movies not to be wowed but to see if you can figure out how it is done, this is a MUST OWN for your collection. Many of the special effects that have become commonplace in filmmaking were done in this film for the very first time, including the development of a new camera that ended up being used in several shots of The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, as well as several films after (as a matter of fact, considering The Black Hole and Star Wars were in production at the same time, you will be shocked at how much better the effects are in The Black Hole; I can't help but think what Star Wars would have been if this crew had worked for Lucas instead). And the U.S.S. Cygnus is quite simply, in my very humble opinion, the single most gorgeous ship ever.
Do NOT pass this one by. Yes, you will be groaning, but you will also be amazed at what Disney could do before the advent of computer animation.
Movie Review: A nice change for Disney... A Dark Sci Fi Horror!! Nice!
Summary: 5 Stars
Walt Disney making a DARK movie about science back in the day is hilarious but kind of fun. I would say you can classify it as a sci fi horror. I loved it when I was 7 years old and I loved it again today. Get under the influence of something and enjoy the story maybe with a girlfriend or a few friends. There are a few cute robot scenes that girls will probably dig. The science is exaggerated but interestingly amusing.