shrinkingman06
Joined May 2006
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shrinkingman06's rating
Given the length of the original novel (so long that this film adaptation is a trilogy) it's inevitable that the film can only do so much in its time frame (it doesn't show, for example, much of Hank Rearden's history). But given money and time constraints (plus the inevitable reaction left-leaning film critics will and have given it), it does extremely well. Ayn Rand's masterpiece is a tribute to the creators, the producers, the innovators--who have to weather the looters and second-handers who try to bring them down.
Any fan of big-government is sure to hate this, which makes a point against government over-regulation. In the world Rand wrote of, the likes of railroad exec Dagny Taggart, steel magnate Hank Rearden, and oil baron Ellis Wyatt are nearly perfect in their talents and dedication, but the "looters" try to bring them down (even Taggart's own brother, and Rearden's wife). In a world where oil shortages add to the general misery and railroads need to carry much of the products we use, Taggart tries to replace aging rails and equipment with highly effective Rearden Metal. Leave it to the likes of Wesley Mouch and his Washington allies to pass laws to bring her down. She can make a train run 250 mph over a solid new bridge in Colorado, but the looters call it "unsafe". The odds are against Dagny and her cohorts but how can one not feel proud when they see her brilliant train running across the beautiful countryside? The discovery of a wonder-motor could help so many people but the enemies she faces are determined to bring her down.
The casting, acting, plot, and so on are top rate. Again the only slight disappointment is that given the time constraints, much had to be left out (maybe this would have been a better bet as a TV series?) but there is still much to enjoy. WE are John Galt. Much like the story of the Little Train that could (I think I can, I KNOW I can!), this film, on and off screen, is a testament to dedication and persistence. (The film's producers say that a possible part 2 would be out in 2012, and part 3 in 2013.)
Any fan of big-government is sure to hate this, which makes a point against government over-regulation. In the world Rand wrote of, the likes of railroad exec Dagny Taggart, steel magnate Hank Rearden, and oil baron Ellis Wyatt are nearly perfect in their talents and dedication, but the "looters" try to bring them down (even Taggart's own brother, and Rearden's wife). In a world where oil shortages add to the general misery and railroads need to carry much of the products we use, Taggart tries to replace aging rails and equipment with highly effective Rearden Metal. Leave it to the likes of Wesley Mouch and his Washington allies to pass laws to bring her down. She can make a train run 250 mph over a solid new bridge in Colorado, but the looters call it "unsafe". The odds are against Dagny and her cohorts but how can one not feel proud when they see her brilliant train running across the beautiful countryside? The discovery of a wonder-motor could help so many people but the enemies she faces are determined to bring her down.
The casting, acting, plot, and so on are top rate. Again the only slight disappointment is that given the time constraints, much had to be left out (maybe this would have been a better bet as a TV series?) but there is still much to enjoy. WE are John Galt. Much like the story of the Little Train that could (I think I can, I KNOW I can!), this film, on and off screen, is a testament to dedication and persistence. (The film's producers say that a possible part 2 would be out in 2012, and part 3 in 2013.)
A fun summer film that is (mostly) for the whole family. A few dead spots but most scenes do click, with memorable characters, pratfalls, and sight gags. Some basketball teammates (who were about 12 in 1978) re-unite when they attend the funeral of their beloved coach. They bring their own families to a "lake house" and soon find that the free-spirited goofiness of their childhood hasn't faded, even if they are supposed to set good examples for their kids.
Filmed mostly on Boston's North Shore at Chebacco Lake in Essex MA (it was fun to see the basketball game at the end, which took place at a park quite familiar to me--home to a long running folk music festival). May-December romances and spoiled kids; "fugly"-looking teammates who father gorgeous daughters (well, two out of three...); using a bug zapper to fry bacon, and daring stunts at a water park, this film is a goofy, enjoyable romp that shows some boys who become "grown ups" but don't forget their inner kid.
Filmed mostly on Boston's North Shore at Chebacco Lake in Essex MA (it was fun to see the basketball game at the end, which took place at a park quite familiar to me--home to a long running folk music festival). May-December romances and spoiled kids; "fugly"-looking teammates who father gorgeous daughters (well, two out of three...); using a bug zapper to fry bacon, and daring stunts at a water park, this film is a goofy, enjoyable romp that shows some boys who become "grown ups" but don't forget their inner kid.