Le monde (presque) perdu

I really enjoyed this movie; I think it might be the best Ferrell movie I've seen in a while. Yes it's goofy and silly, but I think a lot of the negative reviewers here are people who were fans of the original and are judging thru the haze of nostalgia. The original was every bit as goofy and ridiculous, it's just that this movie has the good sense to acknowledge it. And yes, it may not be appropriate for very young viewers as there is some sexual innuendo and cursing, but it does have a PG-13 rating so I don't know why you would be dragging young children to it anyways...

'Land of the Lost' starts with a quirky and oddly arrogant scientist, played by Ferrell, claiming to Matt Lauer on 'Today' that we can solve our energy problems by tapping into inter-dimensional blah blah blah. Of course, no one believes him but a beautiful student from England (Friel) who convinces him to build his whatsit to open the portal to other dimensions. And of course they soon find themselves trapped in what appears to be a large dumping ground for inter-dimensional portals along with a yokel (McBride). From there it's just a journey across this strange land to find their way back home.

I realize I'm glossing over a lot of details here but you really don't need to know them. The whole point is to get a kick out of the satire and broad physical shtick as they encounter the bizarre inhabitants of this world and react to them. If you don't get too hung up on the logic of it all and just roll with the jokes, I think it's quite good. And Ferrell, who I have often disliked in previous works because of his tendency to gnaw on the scenery, was reserved enough to deliver a good number of very funny scenes.

In short, don't go to this expecting a children's film, a summer action flick, or something akin to the original. And, as with almost all Ferrell movies, don't go if you don't like physical humor. But do go if you are looking for a pleasant hour or two of goofy gags and simple fun.

Many reviews for this will have you thinking this film is terrible, i'm baffled as to why this is the case. The fact of the matter is that this film is fun and well made.

To get some negatives out of the way first, its definitely got a few obnoxious crude jokes. It also could have been a bit funnier at times. But overall it definitely put me in a good mood, especially because I'm a huge Will Ferrell and Danny McBride fan. I love how Wll Ferrell can deliver such ridiculous lines of dialogue with a straight face.

Despite being a major Hollywood film, I felt like this film had heart to it and didn't really feel hollow. I know I had already touched on this before but I just don't think all the hate on this movie is justified. It's coherent from beginning to end, all the lines are delivered well and it's very goofy. Not to mention the cgi isn't half bad as well.

Overall it's definitely a fun movie with a few small flaws. Ignore all the hate and go into this with an open mind, not expecting it to be quite like the old TV show, and you'll probably enjoy yourself.

I could tell from the trailers that if you were not a committed Will Ferrell fan, or stoned out of your mind, that this movie would probably be trashed by the experts. You either find his absurd comedy funny or find it a senseless insult to your intelligence. For me, there were a couple times when I really laughed out loud (and I was sober as a judge), most of the time I simply had a smile on my face as I watched the master make a complete fool of himself - which is what Will Ferrell does. I read some of these in-depth critiques in utter amazement. I mean, really, what were you expecting to see? It is a very light hearted spoof of one of the most ridiculous TV series in history. Generally, I thought it was funny, we've been repeating some of the funnier, albeit, totally ridiculous scenes all day. I do strongly caution parents with children. When Will Ferrell says PG-13 he isn't kidding. Sexual innuendo and drug references are going to be quite uncomfortable for the prudish crowd.

Following the discovery of ancient artifacts and crystals harnessing a unique energy, paleontologist Dr. Rick Marshall (Will Ferrell) and his newly appointed assistant Holly (Anna Friel) travel to the remote desert where they were discovered. Teaming up with Will (Danny McBride), who runs a roadside attraction on the land where the crystal was found, the trio gets sucked into another dimension. There, they are met by an array of items from years past; dinosaurs, slow-moving lizard men called Sleestaks, and their new friend Chaka (Jorma Taccone). Now they are in a race against time to get back home or end up lost forever.

In an adaptation of a popular television series, the writing team tries to put a modern twist on it. The world-building and production design are one of the high points of the film. Creating a baron landscape with touches of the past, present, and future, the design keeps the eye wandering. Although Chaka and the Sleestaks designs are from the original series, the make-up department did a phenomenal job of recreating the iconic characters.

This film has a lot of slapstick comedy elements. With Ferrel and McBride being great at comedic timing and improvising depending on the situation, the majority of what ends up on screen probably isn't in the script. Anna Friel plays the assistant turned love interest with leadership and a sense of urgency the other characters lack. Even the CGI T-Rex, Grumpy, becomes a great addition to the team.

This film was made when a lot of advancements in computer-generated production were happening and in areas it shows. While some areas appear seamless, others have you wanting that same look. It is most evident in green screen moments, which, unfortunately, there are a lot of them. Also, as likable as Chaka is, there are times when his character is a bit much and could be toned down.

The biggest downfall of this film is the source material. Since the series depicts and is geared towards families, many may go into this film with the same idea. However, this is not a family film. This film plays well as a slapstick comedy with high-end effects. While not being the blockbuster it was intended to be, Land of the Lost is a fantastic action adventure that should be enjoyed for what it is.

This film actually became a lot more fun when you get the DVD and hear the commentary. The film makers explain that they were getting ideas from old Hollywood films like Beneath The Planet Of The Apes (1969) and Mysterious Island (1961).

When they started making comments like that I was suddenly a lot more happy with Land Of The Lost (2009) and I understood where they were coming from with the movie.

Granted, some of the comedy scenes in the film are a bit over-the-top, but the retro look and retro costumes make this a fun ride for adults...I don't know about little kids?

If Hollywood does a remake of Land Of The Giants (1968-70), I hope they take it seriously.