This piece actually had a chance to achieve so much more. I saw potential in the first 33 minutes, as I thought this work actually had something to say.
The symbolism of the bubble as the protective net thrown over America's youth by paranoid mothers was strong and apt. America's overzealous right-wing would be well served by taking a lesson from this part of the film. Notice that our young hero, repressed by his bubble, knows exactly as much about the outside world as his mother would have allowed him to see even if he were not challenged.
This film took another strong step towards its' apparent statement when our protagonist encounters the "Bus Stop Attendant". In the bus stop attendant, we see a glimpse into the life of someone who has voluntarily put himself into his own "bubble", shutting himself up in a ticket booth almost the same size as the bubble, only this man is comfortable where he is. In his ticket booth, he is king and kingdom, condescending to the outside world, trapped in the rigid, regimented world of the petty rules he has established for himself. He is alone, friendless, washed up on the shores of the desert he has created for himself.
At this point, I was mildly surprised by how much this film was offering; a compelling illustration of what happens to those who refuse to take risks, who refuse to rise to challenges, who are content to remain trapped in the day-to-day routine that life always offers. We see this point brilliantly illustrated in the character of our hero's father, who has settled in to the point that he las lost his identity, his drive, his potential, and his lust for life. He lives vicariously through his son, and when you put all of these elements together, you have a very nice piece.
Then they go to Las Vegas and the movie falls apart. Once this thing falls off the cliff, it goes on a free-fall that doesn't end until the gentle viewer lands in a hell that doesn't end until the credits roll. Suddenly, we're thrown from a thoughtful, insightful statement about today's youth and society into "Magical Mystery Tour 2001". At least with the orignal "MMT", you could dose yourself and get some entertainment out of it. But this...I don't know what in the heck happened here. Stupid, outlandish caricatures and stereotypes take over the movie and never give it back. Nothing is funny. Well, wait a minute. Any movie with Fabio in it automatically gets a bump in the ratings because he has no qualms at all about making fun of his own novelty as an actor.
If you ever see this movie on Pay-per-view, please, save yourself. This movie could have achieved a lot. It didn't, and I want that hour of my life back. Notice I don't want the first 33 minutes back; that wasn't bad.
The symbolism of the bubble as the protective net thrown over America's youth by paranoid mothers was strong and apt. America's overzealous right-wing would be well served by taking a lesson from this part of the film. Notice that our young hero, repressed by his bubble, knows exactly as much about the outside world as his mother would have allowed him to see even if he were not challenged.
This film took another strong step towards its' apparent statement when our protagonist encounters the "Bus Stop Attendant". In the bus stop attendant, we see a glimpse into the life of someone who has voluntarily put himself into his own "bubble", shutting himself up in a ticket booth almost the same size as the bubble, only this man is comfortable where he is. In his ticket booth, he is king and kingdom, condescending to the outside world, trapped in the rigid, regimented world of the petty rules he has established for himself. He is alone, friendless, washed up on the shores of the desert he has created for himself.
At this point, I was mildly surprised by how much this film was offering; a compelling illustration of what happens to those who refuse to take risks, who refuse to rise to challenges, who are content to remain trapped in the day-to-day routine that life always offers. We see this point brilliantly illustrated in the character of our hero's father, who has settled in to the point that he las lost his identity, his drive, his potential, and his lust for life. He lives vicariously through his son, and when you put all of these elements together, you have a very nice piece.
Then they go to Las Vegas and the movie falls apart. Once this thing falls off the cliff, it goes on a free-fall that doesn't end until the gentle viewer lands in a hell that doesn't end until the credits roll. Suddenly, we're thrown from a thoughtful, insightful statement about today's youth and society into "Magical Mystery Tour 2001". At least with the orignal "MMT", you could dose yourself and get some entertainment out of it. But this...I don't know what in the heck happened here. Stupid, outlandish caricatures and stereotypes take over the movie and never give it back. Nothing is funny. Well, wait a minute. Any movie with Fabio in it automatically gets a bump in the ratings because he has no qualms at all about making fun of his own novelty as an actor.
If you ever see this movie on Pay-per-view, please, save yourself. This movie could have achieved a lot. It didn't, and I want that hour of my life back. Notice I don't want the first 33 minutes back; that wasn't bad.