Land of the Lost Movie Review

http://www.mannythemovieguy.com

Like stepping into a snazzy but clunky time machine ride, Land of the Lost leaves its 70s TV-show roots behind and travels full-speed ahead to the future to transform into a multi-million dollar big-screen production.




Marshall, Will, and Holly return tagging along their ape-boy pal Chaka. The dinosaurs also make a comeback, so do the slow but creepy reptilians called Sleestak. The big question remains do we really need a Land of the Lost reboot? Apparently, show creators Sid and Marty Krofft think so. Theyre behind this mildly entertaining and mindless special effects extravaganza.

Updating the shows special effects may be the only driving force behind this movie makeover. I remember the stodgy dinosaur claymation of the 70s series. But as a child, I thought it was the coolest thing ever. With the big screen version, you know its in trouble when Matt Lauer (yeah, the Today Show anchorman) eclipses the films star, Will Ferrell.

Ferrell stars as has-been scientist Dr. Rick Marshall. Hes a discredited quantum paleontologist (a made-up practice that blends particle physics with the study of dinosaurs) who has been banished by the academic world for his unsupported belief in an alternate universe.

The only person who believes in him is Holly played by Anna Friel (Pushing Daisies). In the original TV show, Holly is an American pre-teen, now, shes a British student kicked out from Cambridge University for her defense of Marshalls theory.

When they first meet, Marshall proceeds to unveil his Tachyon Meter to Holly. The apparatus is supposed to amplify tachyon particles that travel faster than light. In order to test the Tachyon Meter, the two go to the Devils Canyon Mystery Cave, a place where unexplained findings have been unearthed.

There, Marshall and Holly meet Will Stanton (the underused Danny McBride). In the original show, Will is a teenage boy, now hes a redneck survivalist. Together, the trio goes on a routine expedition where they meet the greatest earthquake ever known that strikes their tiny raft and plunges them down a thousand feet below to the land of the lost.




I used to be freaked out by the Pakuni ape-boy Chaka (played in the movie by Jorma Taccone). Now, I just find the character subtly annoying. The script by Chris Henchy and Dennis McNicholas gave Chaka an identity crisis. Is he a scheming foe or a trusted friend?

Indeed, character development has been forgotten in pursuit of comedy and adventure. It appears that the filmmakers hoped and prayed for your familiarity with the shows dynamics. The character that was given special attention and narrative arc is Grumpy, the vengeful T-Rex. Hence, the dinosaur stole the show.

Theres even homage given to The Wizard of Oz with the appearance of the Altrusian Enik (John Boylan). The Altrusians possess advanced technologies based on light crystals and understand a great deal about the operation of the land of the lost.

Directed by Brad Silberling (Lemony Snickets A Series of Unfortunate Events), the comedy is hit or miss. My favorite scene is a psychedelic-induced party between Marshall, Will, and Chaka. It was an inspired scene where the comic riffs between the actors actually worked.

I also like the allusion given to Broadways A Chorus Line. Every time Marshall turns on the Tachyon Meter, the song I Hope I Get It plays as if singing the characters wishes to finally prove his invention is successful.

In the end, Land of the Lost is banal at best, aggravating at worst. Ferrell tries hard to anchor the film but is upstaged by a sassy dinosaur and a sassier Matt Lauer. Even a cameo appearance from the great Leonard Nimoy (he plays The Zarn) cannot uplift this film from a 2 kisses rating.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• manny
• movie
• guy
• land
• of
• the
• lost
• review
• will
• ferrell
• sid
• marty
• krofft
• tv
• show
• dinosaurs
• chaka
• sleestak
• comedy

[rlinfinity]

My gaydar is going off like crazy...

[mdelar]

@rlinfinity Oh no really? It must be made in Japan lol...but thanks for watching and have a great weekend!

[poopchomp]

From my observations, I suppose the only people who enjoyed this film were people who have never seen the original. I, myself, have never seen the original, but I thought the movie was hilarious! I really liked it. If you haven't seen it before, I recommend watching it. It's just one of those movies where you either love it, or you hate it. I thought it was great. I love Will Ferrel. I disagree with your opinion, but I respect it:) Nice video!

[mdelar]

I value your opinion very much, thank you :) And thx for watching! Manny

[outlawedman]

fagget

[mdelar]

it takes one to know one LOL :) but great observation! Oh yeah, thanks for watching :)

[kaiteissexy]

What the hell is wrong with you, that was an amazing movie! I thought it was brilliant, and hilarious, so you can suck it.

Matt Lauer can also suck it.

[thinktcg]

dud this movie was freakin hillarious................. forget the reviews it is a must see

[nocknights]

i love that part when the t-rex is running at them and they stop to take a picture...first hes acting all scared but he flexes is arm tattoo...funny shit man! and this homo can suck it! i thought Will and the t-rex worked well together Will Ferrell is the funniest dude in America hands down.in "the spy who shagged me" even Myers hand to stand back and let him do his thing for a sec.

[rlinfinity]

@mdelar I'm quite proud of when my gaydar hits the bulls eye. I live in Europe ... Which means that it has to be set to lower sensitivity levels to prevent false positives. Matter of fact, I'd set it off myself if my American friends' opinions are anything to go by, even though I'm relatively rough around the edges compared to typical metros here.

[chichiboypumpi]

I like the chaka in this updated version, as much as I HATE jar jar and the autobot twins,

so again go bollywood BAKLA!!!

[chichiboypumpi]

it could have been great if it had respect to the original story with a will ferrell flavor

but then again never take it from a BAKLA!!!!

[CharlieC213]

my faverite quote in the movie we only have two rules

1 keep hands and feet in the boat at all times and 2 have a kick ass and awsome time

[SmartySmara]

I love this movie. So eff of haters! You don't understand the power of children trying to make it big on the stage with gay show tunes. "I really need this job. By God I need this job... I really need this joooooobbbb!" GO CHAKA! Although trashy trailer park guy had awesome sayings "Never trust dudes in tunics." and "Im man enough to say that's my bad." GO FLIPPING DANNIE MCBRIDE!

[nethdaniel552]

Bakla!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[LaxFlow2]

the movie guy sucks the land of the lost was amazing and funny so fuck off