Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow

Name: Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow
Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Mystery, Thriller
Released: September 17, 2004
Duration: 106 min
Rating: 64
Cast: Angelina Jolie, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jude Law

2004

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 36 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 175 Ratings

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7.5

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7.5	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 175 Ratings

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Sky Captain And The World Of Tomorrow

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Movie Details & Credits

Paramount Pictures | Release Date: September 17, 2004 | PG

Starring: Angelina Jolie, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jude Law

Summary: Famous scientists around the world have mysteriously disappeared, and reporter Polly Perkins (Paltrow) along with ace aviator Sky Captain (Law) are on the investigation. Risking their lives as they travel to exotic places around the world, can the fearless duo stop Dr. Totenkopf, the evil mastermind behind a plot to destroy the earth? AidedFamous scientists around the world have mysteriously disappeared, and reporter Polly Perkins (Paltrow) along with ace aviator Sky Captain (Law) are on the investigation. Risking their lives as they travel to exotic places around the world, can the fearless duo stop Dr. Totenkopf, the evil mastermind behind a plot to destroy the earth? Aided by Frankie Cook (Jolie), commander of an all-female amphibious squadron, and technical genius Dex (Ribisi), Polly and Sky Captain may be our planet's only hope. (Paramount)… Expand

Director: Kerry Conran

Genre(s): Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Mystery, Thriller

Rating: PG

Runtime: 106 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Roger Ebert

In its heedless energy and joy, it reminded me of how I felt the first time I saw "Raiders of the Lost Ark." It's like a film that escaped from the imagination directly onto the screen, without having to pass through reality along the way. Read full review

Marc Savlov

Everything here from costuming and production design to the note-perfect score from Edward Shearmur works in tandem to create not so much a film as a singular and joyous tribute to a vanished age when wonder only cost a nickel and played three time daily at the Bijou. Read full review

Chris Kaltenbach

Gloriously retro, unashamedly celebratory of the joy of moviemaking and the love of old-fashioned heroism. Read full review

Stephen Holden

Too fixated on 1939 for its own good. Its passionate immersion in a past that only dimly resonates with younger audiences may be a badge of its integrity, but that immersion trumps its vision of the future and leaves us in a land of nostalgia. Read full review

Jack Mathews

Missing beneath its fabulous surface, however, is anything like a beating heart. Read full review

Kenneth Turan

A lovingly rendered visual treat struggles with indifferent direction and torpid plot. Read full review

David Sterritt

Crass and soulless. Read full review

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User Reviews

Alistair

Jan 22, 2006

I love this movie. I have to admit it's main appeal is visual with the wonderful sci-fi deco retro design. The opening sequences with the berthing of the Hindenberg in the snow are beautiful. The scatter-gun plot captures the feel of classic 30s/40s movie serials (the same ground that I love this movie. I have to admit it's main appeal is visual with the wonderful sci-fi deco retro design. The opening sequences with the berthing of the Hindenberg in the snow are beautiful. The scatter-gun plot captures the feel of classic 30s/40s movie serials (the same ground that Star Wars mined so successfully) well. Sure its a bit silly but it's a great achievement. This is the way of the futrure: marries the capabilities of CGI with human actors.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful

DonH.

Nov 21, 2005

A wonderful tribute to the early sci-fi serials and movies. It

0 of 0 users found this helpful

juliankennedy23

Oct 26, 2014

Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow: 8/10: It was King Kong that made me fall in love with the movie. He doesn't appear himself (unlike ring mate Godzilla who cameos in silhouette in a Japanese newspaper.) but his ship and friends are there and his tree is there. You know the moss coveredSky Captain and the World of Tomorrow: 8/10: It was King Kong that made me fall in love with the movie. He doesn't appear himself (unlike ring mate Godzilla who cameos in silhouette in a Japanese newspaper.) but his ship and friends are there and his tree is there. You know the moss covered tree that covers the impossibly deep chasm. To one he uses to fling helpless sailors to there death like some kind of lumberjack games blood sport. There the tree is in glorious color just as I left it in the imagination of my seven-year old self.

I was enjoying myself up to that point mind you I had for one thing decided that this was an Anime rather than a regular film. (The giant robots make this illusion much more palatable as did an annoying performance by Miss Paltrow. In anime the female characters are almost always whining up a storm.) This allowed all the plot holes creative use of color and scientific flubs to fall by the wayside. I just sat back and enjoyed the ride.

Of note much has been made of the use of CGI but lets face it. It is simply easier to put CGI effects on an artificial background rather than place them in photo-realistic settings like the snakes of Anaconda: The Hunt for the Blood Orchid or the wolves in Day after Tomorrow have proved most recently.

Sure Sky Captain is far from perfect (an actual villain would have helped and been more in line with the serials it was emulating), but try telling that to the seven year old in me that kept saying "cool what's next".… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

AlienSpaceBats

Apr 6, 2013

There's plenty to applaud Sky Captain for; the visual design is unique and it doesn't feel as though it's been put through a rigorous test audience mill but it's incredibly dull. Best taken for what it is: an ode to pre-war serials.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Abby

Jul 1, 2007

When I saw this movie I almost died of bordem. If you have insomnia I would recommend this movie to cure it.

0 of 1 users found this helpful

LedleyK.

Sep 27, 2004

Thank you guys for giving this movie a 3. It was an abination yes, not not a total abomination. But I cant get pass the abomination part. Paltrow was sooooooo annoying. I just hated every single word that came out of her mouth, and the Movie is sooo Generic and so lifeless, you never care Thank you guys for giving this movie a 3. It was an abination yes, not not a total abomination. But I cant get pass the abomination part. Paltrow was sooooooo annoying. I just hated every single word that came out of her mouth, and the Movie is sooo Generic and so lifeless, you never care about the characters, you never wonder if they are in danger or not. In the first scene when they were being chased by the bat planes, they were having a good time and making a joke of it. Those guys arent even afraid of Giant robots. When Jude law ran over to that robot and pushed it down after shooting it in the leg. I spit out my sprite. I mean, how the hell could he do that. It was so fricken comical it wasnt even funny. Anyway, Somebody here mentioned to see the Indiana Jones movies again. Please do that instead of watching this.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful

LomaxHunter

Mar 6, 2006

May be the single worst entertainment product I have ever witnessed. Shame on everyone involved.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

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97	#97 Most Discussed Movie of 2004
85	#85 Most Shared Movie of 2004