Change Your Image
PatrickDRusk
Reviews
Annapolis (2006)
Derivative
There isn't a scene in this movie where I can't name the better movie that they stole the idea from. Watchable, but very predictable, and your life is no better off at the end.
Peter Pan Live! (2014)
A great effort, with some flaws
When watching live productions like Peter Pan Live or last year's Sound of Music Live, you need to have realistic expectations.
In no way could last year's event, for instance, have lived up to the Julie Andrews' movie. That's just wrong to expect.
Nor should either movie be compared to a fully produced Broadway show. A Broadway show often has the luxury of running a number of performances off Broadway to work out all the kinks. And they only have to contend with one visual perspective, looking straight on from an audience.
These NBC events have attempted to put the home viewer right in the middle of the action, including sweeping scene changes moving from one set to another. They are breathtakingly audacious. When you realize that, it's remarkable that you never see a camera or even the obvious shadow of a camera.
If you want to enjoy these, you really need to go into it pulling for the actors to do well, hoping along with them. With that in mind, both of these performances were very enjoyable.
Christian Borle as Mr. Smee was the strongest performance, but Allison Williams did a great job as Peter, and Taylor Louderman was a standout as Wendy. The choreography of some of the scenes was very gutsy for a one-shot live performance. And the dog was spectacularly well- trained.
I am a huge Christopher Walken fan, and I will admit to being disappointed by his performance. I found myself wishing that they could have had him 10 years ago when he would have been more up for the physicality that the role should have aimed for. The role felt like it was probably made less ambitious at the last moment, especially the dismal sword fight between Hook and Pan.
It was also a bit disappointing to see the flying paraphernalia too often, particularly the distortion in the youngest child's shirt. It's too bad that some real-time digital removal of the wires wasn't possible (or attempted, since I suspect it may have been possible).
But, seriously, think of all they achieved. I am glad they went for it, and I will keep tuning in for future attempts. Bravo, NBC!
The Sound of Music Live! (2013)
A Towering Achievement
Read all the favorable reviews that discuss the importance of comparing this to the Broadway play, rather than the Andrews' movie. They cover that much better than I can.
For my part, I think this was a towering achievement for Carrie Underwood. She is just 30 years old, just as Andrews was in the '65 movie. But Andrews had 15 years of experience on stage and in film before making the movie. Underwood was discovered by American Idol only eight years ago, and has mainly been busy selling 16 million albums and winning every singing award possible. Her star power was necessary to bankroll and draw viewers to this production. Just having the *courage* to do this is laudable, but she nailed even the acting as well as anyone could possibly expect her to.
You only need to reflect on the strength of the performances of Captain Von Trapp and the Abbess to realize how flawless the performance would have been if they cast a seasoned Broadway actress in the role of Maria. But would you have tuned in? Maybe a quarter of you would. I don't think I would have. Answering the question "Can she pull this off?" was half the fun of watching... and she did!
One other outstanding feature of the production: the camera angles were immaculate. I have never seen a live event with so many camera angles and changes. The height of professionalism in direction.
Also, I loved the scene changes where characters walked from one set into another. Very clever, and excellently done.