Fantasy movies - by Haruchai on 15:13 07 Aug 2002
Ok, we have had a great discussion on Fantasy books. Now, it's time for the movies.
Do you think that fantasy movies are making a good comeback? LotR, D&D, Reign of Fire, Dragonheart.... all of these, whether good or bad, along with others too numerous to list, have brought fantasy more to the spotlight in recent years. As a child growing up, I certainly do not remember many fantasy movies. Now, I'm sure that there were some, and books were plentiful, but as there are members in these forums older than I, I wanted to get other opinions.
What does everyone think of the future of fantasy on the big screen? And not just fantasy itself either. Braveheart, I feel, fits into that category of medieval sword-slinging. I see big things on the horizon... how about you?
Haru
Ok, we have had a great discussion on Fantasy books. Now, it's time for the movies.
Do you think that fantasy movies are making a good comeback? LotR, D&D, Reign of Fire, Dragonheart.... all of these, whether good or bad, along with others too numerous to list, have brought fantasy more to the spotlight in recent years. As a child growing up, I certainly do not remember many fantasy movies. Now, I'm sure that there were some, and books were plentiful, but as there are members in these forums older than I, I wanted to get other opinions.
What does everyone think of the future of fantasy on the big screen? And not just fantasy itself either. Braveheart, I feel, fits into that category of medieval sword-slinging. I see big things on the horizon... how about you?
Haru
Fantasy movies - by Brad on 15:49 07 Aug 2002
>but as there are members in these forums older than I
Sure-sure, wheel out the old guy!
I think you are right. I thought there would be a big surge of fantasy TV and movies in the late 70's and 1980's but that fizzled. Only a couple of decent films emerged from that, like Conan and Dragonslayer and maybe Excalibur. A bunch of direct to video junk was made and that awful animated LOTR movie.
The younger generation of directors understand fantasy so much better and the studios are watching the LOTR movies like a hawk. They will copy anything they see that works and I'm sure they are already buying up movie rights to all the bestsellers. It is going to take some time for good fantasy filmakers, scripts and actors to emerge.
It occurs to me that the guys who made the swashbuckling epics and movies like Robin Hood (the Errol Flynn version) could have made very good fantasy films if they had the right script and the right audience.
It is going to be an interesting time, because of the digital movie cameras that are becomeing available are also going to allow indie and indie-indie filmakers into the market like never before. (Already happening.)
The age group that really appreciates fantasy and does not think it is just for kids is just now getting into the real positions of power.
>but as there are members in these forums older than I
Sure-sure, wheel out the old guy!
I think you are right. I thought there would be a big surge of fantasy TV and movies in the late 70's and 1980's but that fizzled. Only a couple of decent films emerged from that, like Conan and Dragonslayer and maybe Excalibur. A bunch of direct to video junk was made and that awful animated LOTR movie.
The younger generation of directors understand fantasy so much better and the studios are watching the LOTR movies like a hawk. They will copy anything they see that works and I'm sure they are already buying up movie rights to all the bestsellers. It is going to take some time for good fantasy filmakers, scripts and actors to emerge.
It occurs to me that the guys who made the swashbuckling epics and movies like Robin Hood (the Errol Flynn version) could have made very good fantasy films if they had the right script and the right audience.
It is going to be an interesting time, because of the digital movie cameras that are becomeing available are also going to allow indie and indie-indie filmakers into the market like never before. (Already happening.)
The age group that really appreciates fantasy and does not think it is just for kids is just now getting into the real positions of power.
Fantasy movies - by Kainja on 16:42 07 Aug 2002
I think I'm a little less optimistic about the future of fantasy movies than you are, Brad. Though I hope you're right. I still see in the movies, and Kull and Scorpion-King were examples of this, of a tendency to "wink" at the audience, as if THEY (Hollywood) and we (audience) both know that this stuff is really just kind of silly fluff and we can't take it seriously. I get SO irritated by such attitudes because I don't consider myself a silly little kid and yet I take fantasy seriously. I don't mean there can't be humor, but I'd like to see the material treated with real respect. I thought Lord of the Rings did a fine job of this and that does give me some hope for the future.
The great thing you mention is how, with the price of CGI coming down, more and smaller moviemakers may be able to get into making fanasy movies. And surely some of them will be the people who want to see it done right.
I think I'm a little less optimistic about the future of fantasy movies than you are, Brad. Though I hope you're right. I still see in the movies, and Kull and Scorpion-King were examples of this, of a tendency to "wink" at the audience, as if THEY (Hollywood) and we (audience) both know that this stuff is really just kind of silly fluff and we can't take it seriously. I get SO irritated by such attitudes because I don't consider myself a silly little kid and yet I take fantasy seriously. I don't mean there can't be humor, but I'd like to see the material treated with real respect. I thought Lord of the Rings did a fine job of this and that does give me some hope for the future.
The great thing you mention is how, with the price of CGI coming down, more and smaller moviemakers may be able to get into making fanasy movies. And surely some of them will be the people who want to see it done right.
Fantasy movies - by Brad on 19:13 07 Aug 2002
Well I was feeling generous. I'm usually the harshest critic of Hollyweird around here.
The wink at the audience really steams me too. In fact I was very wary when I went to see LOTR. I was ready for them to ruin it.
I think the progress will be incremental. There will be the usual Hollywood flops, but I think we will see more and more decent fantasy films slip in sideways. Enough to notice.
Now TV worries me. Hollyweird is the home of the remake because they can't think of anything original. Televisionland is "that vast wasteland". They will do nasty things with fantasy.
Well I was feeling generous. I'm usually the harshest critic of Hollyweird around here.
The wink at the audience really steams me too. In fact I was very wary when I went to see LOTR. I was ready for them to ruin it.
I think the progress will be incremental. There will be the usual Hollywood flops, but I think we will see more and more decent fantasy films slip in sideways. Enough to notice.
Now TV worries me. Hollyweird is the home of the remake because they can't think of anything original. Televisionland is "that vast wasteland". They will do nasty things with fantasy.
Fantasy movies - by Arislyn on 11:29 10 Aug 2002
You know, the only TV fantasy show that I can even recall is that old Dungeons and Dragons show. Now, I'm not talking about the animated one (which, for some reason, still makes me giggle when I think about it.). They came out with a live action deal back in the early 80's, I think. As I recall, it was horrible. If they've made any others, I have apparently (blissfully) forgotten about them.
You know, the only TV fantasy show that I can even recall is that old Dungeons and Dragons show. Now, I'm not talking about the animated one (which, for some reason, still makes me giggle when I think about it.). They came out with a live action deal back in the early 80's, I think. As I recall, it was horrible. If they've made any others, I have apparently (blissfully) forgotten about them.
Fantasy movies - by Brad on 15:50 10 Aug 2002
Xena and Hercules are both fantasy. They actually are a lot of fun. Other attempts at trying to repeat the formula have met with less success. Although, Beastmaster and some others have thier followings.
There was a sort of high fantasy show that lasted about 3 episodes in the late 90's.
And one contemporary fantasy about a sorcerror in the 80's which lasted about 3 episodes too. (thankfully.)
I can't think of much else.
Xena and Hercules are both fantasy. They actually are a lot of fun. Other attempts at trying to repeat the formula have met with less success. Although, Beastmaster and some others have thier followings.
There was a sort of high fantasy show that lasted about 3 episodes in the late 90's.
And one contemporary fantasy about a sorcerror in the 80's which lasted about 3 episodes too. (thankfully.)
I can't think of much else.
Fantasy movies - by Arislyn on 16:49 10 Aug 2002
D'oh! I had completely forgotten about Xena and Hercules. It's been a heck of a long time since I've seen either show, but I did enjoy them. They did an excellent job of being fun.
What bothers me are scripts that stray from the era/time frame/genre that the movie is supposed to be set in. I absolutely despise it when you see someone in a medieval setting using a contemporary phrase. Argh! I'm not saying they have to speak in Olde English, just don't say things like, "I'm down with that" or anything similar. Also, stupid costumes annoy me. You know the ones I'm talking about - the ones made with shiny, metallic cloth.
D'oh! I had completely forgotten about Xena and Hercules. It's been a heck of a long time since I've seen either show, but I did enjoy them. They did an excellent job of being fun.
What bothers me are scripts that stray from the era/time frame/genre that the movie is supposed to be set in. I absolutely despise it when you see someone in a medieval setting using a contemporary phrase. Argh! I'm not saying they have to speak in Olde English, just don't say things like, "I'm down with that" or anything similar. Also, stupid costumes annoy me. You know the ones I'm talking about - the ones made with shiny, metallic cloth.
Fantasy movies - by Brad on 17:23 10 Aug 2002
You are right. For example: This was my beef with the Kevin Costner Robin Hood movie.
Costner sounded like a California surf dude. The whole mass production/interchangible parts longbow-as-secret-weapon thing really bothered me. And the "Celts" costumes were left over from some bad direct to video fantasy flick. I was retching by the end. Celts didn't even wear animal skins in ancient Roman times and certainly not by the era of chain mail.
You are right. For example: This was my beef with the Kevin Costner Robin Hood movie.
Costner sounded like a California surf dude. The whole mass production/interchangible parts longbow-as-secret-weapon thing really bothered me. And the "Celts" costumes were left over from some bad direct to video fantasy flick. I was retching by the end. Celts didn't even wear animal skins in ancient Roman times and certainly not by the era of chain mail.