At first, I could not decide if this movie is slightly better or much worse than any Ernest movie. This one is a comedy adventure which does not take itself seriously -- which we can only hope. If you are not looking for Matrix-style action or Shakespearean acting (or dialog for that matter), then you can actually enjoy this movie.
The visuals are fantastic, as well as the scenery. Money well spent on locale, props and special effects. The supporting cast is hilariously funny ("I understand Thorazine comes in vanilla now" by Jane Curtin's character), and well chosen for the picture. The history stays somewhat in shape if you believe in such things as the Bermuda Triangle as an accurate part of reality. But this movie is not meant to be totally accurate to the core. I can not feel much for the main character. Granted, the overacting seems to be on purpose, if not totally overdrawn. Wyle succeeds in his portrayal of the eternal (history) student who is incapable of actually working for a living. Sad as it is, this is where his acting capabilities seem to end, asides from presenting the impeccable hero-smile and nuisance character.
The story drags in the first act. Remember movie laws? You have to sell your story in the first 10 minutes, a very crucial element. We wait about 20 minutes until the main thread happens -- the mystical spear (important artifact) is stolen. The action picks up from here, and if you did not change the channel you should remain in your seat. You get the usual ingredients: Helping, beautiful opposite-sex character that just won't show affection towards the hero, an evil villain and his lesser evil sidekicks, helping "friends" that waited hundreds of years for the hero's quest, the list continues.
This movie does not try too hard to be another Indiana Jones rip-off (you may disagree here). Ever heard of Zak McKracken And The Alien Mindbenders (classic Lucasarts game)? Look it up, the story has uncanny similarities of slapstick humor, and even Wyle's character reminds me of Zak.
LoDuca manages to amaze me. His musical queues are nice and original, but many times too overdrawn as well -- maybe intended. I leave the criticism of Director/Producer to others. Suffice it to say that I did not expect much from the folks responsible for ID4, Godzilla, Star Gate, or Eight Legged Freaks.
The movie is still easy on the eye (I do not mean brain). You can see the plot happening a mile in advance. But there are still plenty of laughs ahead, which sparingly but nicely distract from all the humbug and _un_reality. If you are a nit-picker, go and be happy with "1776". If you need action a la Tomb Raider, you won't find it here. This is a family movie without the blood'n'gore (ok, some minor), a decent but not exceptional story (not by a long shot), and the usual cliffhanger ending -- wait for part 2 if the ratings were decent?
Now, should I feel the urge to become a librarian? Is this movie paid for by the National Library Organization? Bah, Good clean fun, but not too Walt Disney.
The visuals are fantastic, as well as the scenery. Money well spent on locale, props and special effects. The supporting cast is hilariously funny ("I understand Thorazine comes in vanilla now" by Jane Curtin's character), and well chosen for the picture. The history stays somewhat in shape if you believe in such things as the Bermuda Triangle as an accurate part of reality. But this movie is not meant to be totally accurate to the core. I can not feel much for the main character. Granted, the overacting seems to be on purpose, if not totally overdrawn. Wyle succeeds in his portrayal of the eternal (history) student who is incapable of actually working for a living. Sad as it is, this is where his acting capabilities seem to end, asides from presenting the impeccable hero-smile and nuisance character.
The story drags in the first act. Remember movie laws? You have to sell your story in the first 10 minutes, a very crucial element. We wait about 20 minutes until the main thread happens -- the mystical spear (important artifact) is stolen. The action picks up from here, and if you did not change the channel you should remain in your seat. You get the usual ingredients: Helping, beautiful opposite-sex character that just won't show affection towards the hero, an evil villain and his lesser evil sidekicks, helping "friends" that waited hundreds of years for the hero's quest, the list continues.
This movie does not try too hard to be another Indiana Jones rip-off (you may disagree here). Ever heard of Zak McKracken And The Alien Mindbenders (classic Lucasarts game)? Look it up, the story has uncanny similarities of slapstick humor, and even Wyle's character reminds me of Zak.
LoDuca manages to amaze me. His musical queues are nice and original, but many times too overdrawn as well -- maybe intended. I leave the criticism of Director/Producer to others. Suffice it to say that I did not expect much from the folks responsible for ID4, Godzilla, Star Gate, or Eight Legged Freaks.
The movie is still easy on the eye (I do not mean brain). You can see the plot happening a mile in advance. But there are still plenty of laughs ahead, which sparingly but nicely distract from all the humbug and _un_reality. If you are a nit-picker, go and be happy with "1776". If you need action a la Tomb Raider, you won't find it here. This is a family movie without the blood'n'gore (ok, some minor), a decent but not exceptional story (not by a long shot), and the usual cliffhanger ending -- wait for part 2 if the ratings were decent?
Now, should I feel the urge to become a librarian? Is this movie paid for by the National Library Organization? Bah, Good clean fun, but not too Walt Disney.