Land of the Lost

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.

This movie brings me joy every time I watch it, Its an absolute JEM! Any one that thinks otherwise is wrong!

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.

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.

What some reviewers on here don't understand is that this was deliberately made in a 50's style with cheesy characters and dubious special effects, to mock that style, and they give it a low rating because they didn't understand this because they are thick!

It is actually a very good Sci-Fi Comedy, Will Ferrell does his usual hamming it up in the lead role very well, Anna Friel is excellent as his gullible and innocent "fan" scientist, Danny McBride is great as the stupid "trailer trash" guy, who despite being a bit rough has good intentions and Jorma Taccone does a good Chaka under all the hair. John Boylan's voice is perfect as the 50's style domineering alien.

Direction is excellent, they keep it to the same 1950's formula almost throughout, It is well timed with great scenes and good photography, my only complaint about that is that they included a couple of music clips that came from the late 1960's, however they did seem to fit the scenes, and the film score was very good.

My favorite scenes are the after when Will Ferrell states that T-Rex has a brain the size of a Walnut and later the Intelligent T-Rex drops a giant Walnut outside the cave entrance where they are staying, where the bug sucks blood out of Will Ferrell when he is trying to play the banjo, and when they drink the juice out of a fruit which turns out to be a narcotic and 'All Along The Watchtower' by The Jimi Hendrix Experience kicks in (A song usually associated with drug taking), and at the end in the interview with Matt Lauer where Will Ferrell puts him down as a payback for an earlier interview where Matt Lauer puts down Will Ferrell.

Lighten up reviewers this is one of the best Sci-Fi comedies going.