izzy-19

I was told by several friends to go buy this sight unseen. "Don't bother renting it. Just buy it." Boy, am I glad I didn't. This movie was average in the extreme.

On the plus side, yes, the animation is excellent. The close up facial features and attention to detail is fantastic. Jason Lee's voice work was excellent, as well. However, the story never really took off. I wanted more time spent on the children, giving me more details about their problems so that when they came into their own later in the movie, it would mean more. I didn't get it. Worst of all there was very little humor. In the past, Pixar has been known to have a good dose of wit in their movies. This one had almost none. Had I gone in knowing this was 99% drama, I probably would have been much less disappointed.

Don't get me wrong, this is still a pretty solid film. It isn't really "bad" by any means, but it is just not as good as the hype would lead you to believe.

In the past I have warned others to avoid this hilariously bad movie. Now, with the popularity of this Rufus Wainright guy growing, I feel I must once again spread the word. Do not see this film. Don't go looking for it. If it is on TV, read a book. I'm telling you, the acting, the plot, the pacing, the very look and feel of the film are straight-up BAD. I had to air it over and over again at a television station, inflicting this travesty on the unsuspecting viewing public. Even cheap-o fare like "The Retrievers" and "Castlerock" were better than this, and they were not good.

One other warning. Don't go looking for it thinking "If it's this bad, I GOTTA see it." Trust me, it isn't even good as a joke. You will be angry you wasted your time and money. If you see it at the store, leave it be. Don't touch it. Don't even look at it. Just keep walkin'.

If you like noir movies you MIGHT like this one. Otherwise, I would stay away. I'm pretty sure 90% of the people who like this movie are Coen fans who would like anything that they do, no matter how unwatchable, and defend them to the death.

There are a couple of positives. Tony Shalhoub is always good, no matter what. Scarlett Johansson is good but it was distracting for me how much she looks like Laura Prepon in this movie. Oh, and the first couple of minutes were alright. Beyond that, sheer boredom.

The Coens are just too hit or miss. Big Lebowski - my favorite movie Raising Arizona - also good Fargo/Oh Brother - barely watchable, incredibly overrated Man Who../Ladykillers/Hudsucker - soul-numbingly dull

If you like Man Who Wasn't There, good for you. But I just can't recommend this movie to anyone. According to the current IMDb rating I'm way off here, but I still think it's a movie only a select few people can enjoy.