15 - 21 November 2001
Issue No.560
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Al-Ahram Weekly Online 15 - 21 November 2001 Issue No.560 |
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Limelight
What price decency!
What good came out of it at last? - Robert Southey.
In the aftermath of the recent horrific events, a seed of goodness may be sprouting. The haze of dust and smoke emerging from Manhattan's heap of ruin swiftly travelled 9,000 miles across the continent to settle over the skies of a town called Hollywood. A town known for its myriad Midas kings, who turn everything they touch into gold - everything that is beastly, gory and diabolic. The fruits of their labour, their future miracle workers lay dormant on reels and reels of film footage, under lock and key, in boxes, tins, storerooms and depots, ready to do their dirty deed. The violence and carnage within those reels spelt "gold", the demolition and destruction spelt "success" the massacre and bloodshed spelt "blockbuster". In the whirlwind of confusion they hastened with breathless speed and empty hearts, toppling their Midas crowns on the way, as they scrambled to save their fortunes.
Bankers, filmmakers, producers, directors, writers, editors, managers and executives took to their studios, auditoriums, elegant suites and conference tables, and went right back to the drawing board! Some had to shelve and scrap, some had to delay, rewrite, review or revise and cut, cut, cut! Out with the violence, rampage and extravagance. In with morality, dignity and responsibility. Such old-fashioned fare - a large order for the soul-less lot who had repeatedly turned a deaf ear to the appeals from parents, schools, churches, moral institutions and even Congress. After all, "extremism" is their idol, "moderation" their bête noir. They had to act immediately. The world now wearied of the graphic savagery, however splendid, spectacular or awe-inspiring. The alarming truth was crystal clear; they must fly the golden goose and burn the golden calf. Their ancient product, lacking in principles and conscience is to be replaced by wit and style, sophistication and elegance, tenderness and gentility. They must now worship at the impenetrable, indestructible altar of family values.
The outbreak of the war and the threat of bio- terrorism has left the Hollywood natives nervous and jittery. Hundreds of millions of dollars in revenues have already been lost. Much of their world of yesterday has been scratched. Audiences will now be treated to elegant character pieces, literary adaptations, costume dramas - titles far removed from the heart-ripping, blood-letting, money- making, double-delusions of the past decade.
"Sully" and "Mike" in Monsters Inc.
Though the heart is heavy-laden, one can hardly conceal one's excitement at the prospect of a dozen or more superb children's productions in store for the new season. The much-awaited Harry Potter opens 16th November in the UK and the US. Two weeks ago the powers that be at Disney decided to take a jump-start on the Potter release, and let their 'monsters' loose. Their season's masterpiece, Monsters Inc, represents the most advanced and sophisticated use of computer-animated technology to date. This witty and imaginative adventure is the fourth Walt Disney presentation of a Pixar Animation Film.
It features the voices of John Goodman as the big, 8- foot, 800 pound blue, hairy monster "Sully", a real teddy bear at heart, and his friend and side-kick, the nifty one- eyed lime-green little monster, "Mike". It was a most astute decision. Monster's Inc broke the previous record set by Shrek this summer. Shrek had the biggest receipts of any animated feature in history, with $62 million in its first week. Monsters Inc not only surpassed it on the first week, but it was also the most successful debut in 2001, and so far, the best November opening ever and the 6th best opening in history.
Harry Potter is sure to change the mathematics, as it is expected to be the biggest blockbuster of all time, beating 1997's Titanic. The story of Monsters Inc is set in Metropolis, a thriving company town with monsters of all shapes colours and sizes. It centers on a little girl who accidentally wanders into the realm of monsters that sneak into children's rooms at night. They scare the little ones who break into endless screams as they see the monsters come out of their closets. The reason monsters do that is to capture the collected children's screams and distil them into the fuel that serves as the main power source for the monster world. The name of the Energy Corporation that provides the fuel is Monsters Inc. Central to the success and enjoyment of Monsters Inc, is the loveable menagerie of colourful monsters.
Another Disney film this season, Big Trouble needs, to be re-cut before release to remove sensitive footage. Spiderman''s release has also been delayed. All posters and trailers have been withdrawn to eliminate all images of the WTC. Collateral Damage, Arnold Schwarznegger's revenge thriller, anticipated to be his next blockbuster, has now been shelved by Warner Bros., it's fate still undecided. Men in Black II with Tommy Lee Jones is also being doctored before release this season. And so it goes! And a good thing it is too!
We now await such titles as The New Adventures of Pinnochio, Pokémon 3, Atlantis: The Lost Empire, and several other children's animated films that are making the money and winning the awards. The best Christmas present is reserved for fellow Tolkien fans who have craved a screen adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's classic The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Well, crave no more. The literary epic is on its way to our screens by Christmas and promises to be a sumptuous Christmas meal. A special review in this column is reserved for a later date. Children's films are championing refinement, chastity and grace! The season promises to be the best in a long while for children of all ages!
The 29th Annual "Annie" Animated Awards (Nov. 11th) handed Shrek best picture trophy. Monsters Inc was not eligible for this year's competition; but Oscar season is not far off. For the first time in history, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, is reserving a trophy for the best feature animation. Thirteen animated films from several studios are in the running this year, making it possible for the Academy to secure the category. The big rivalry will again be between the two front runners: Shrek, pride of Dreamworks and the reigning box-office champ of the year, amassing $267 million in the US ticket sales to date. It will be hard for another film to catch up this phenomenal figure before year's end. The other front runner Monsters Inc, pride of Disney, promises to be a full-fledged blockbuster and a 'monstrous' parent pleaser. The scale of the current rivalry between Disney and Dreamworks is wholly unprecedented in the history of animation. The only animated film ever nominated for Oscar's Best Feature was Beauty and the Beast (1991). Now, animated films will have a category of their own. The 74th Annual Academy Awards (March 2002), will reflect a new Hollywood, embracing social and family values, rejecting incendiarism, cynicism, cataclysm, and thuggism. What unmitigated joy! It is enough to make one shout from the rooftops, romp and frolic, revel and carouse, or turn a somersault.
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