Yeah, Ebert was initially underwhelmed, but he gradually (and one senses grudgingly) changed his tune on the matter. It is definitely one of those movies that suffers as the screen it's shown on gets smaller -- if the viewer isn't being utterly blown away by the visuals, the pacing is going to be difficult to indulge. I've seen it twice on the silver screen (so far as I can remember -- might be more) and I made it a point to see Villeneuve's sequel that way also. Shortly after that, I watched Arrival at home. I'd wanted to see Arrival in theatre, but it came and went pretty quickly. Contrasting the two experiences, I can understand why Villeneuve is so pissed with Warner Bros.' decision to fork over a year's catalogue to HBO, including Dune. Were it released to theatres on a safer date, the box office might secure a sequel. But without the initial theatre experience to recommend another look on the home flat-screen, it's doubtful any money will be made at all.
It does bring up an interesting question, though, as to how these movies should be evaluated. There are a lot of movies that are specifically made for the big screen, and can't really be done justice on the small screen. Ironic, isn't it, that a movie's time on the big screen is so limited, and it's small screen life is forever. There've been a lot of movies I've seen over the years that I felt like I couldn't fully enjoy on my small TV. (Some of the Marvel movies, with all the big CGI battles at the end, are completely wasted on the small screen.)
And yet, when I see one of these movies, I feel like I have to evaluate it based on how it plays on the small screen. Because its theatrical days are done.
Marvel movie battle scenes -- I remember seeing Thor: Ragnarok in the theatre and thinking the screen was too small for the final battle. Kinda ridiculous, really.
It's reached a new level now, hasn't it? In my childhood, movies like Star Wars or Indiana Jones could still be enjoyed fine on the small screen. (Oh, I'm sure they were better on the big screen, but I still thrilled to them on the small screen.) But now a lot of these new action movies you just couldn't possibly absorb on the small screen. I know. I've tried.
Yeah, Ebert was initially underwhelmed, but he gradually (and one senses grudgingly) changed his tune on the matter. It is definitely one of those movies that suffers as the screen it's shown on gets smaller -- if the viewer isn't being utterly blown away by the visuals, the pacing is going to be difficult to indulge. I've seen it twice on the silver screen (so far as I can remember -- might be more) and I made it a point to see Villeneuve's sequel that way also. Shortly after that, I watched Arrival at home. I'd wanted to see Arrival in theatre, but it came and went pretty quickly. Contrasting the two experiences, I can understand why Villeneuve is so pissed with Warner Bros.' decision to fork over a year's catalogue to HBO, including Dune. Were it released to theatres on a safer date, the box office might secure a sequel. But without the initial theatre experience to recommend another look on the home flat-screen, it's doubtful any money will be made at all.
ReplyDeleteA bit off topic -- thanks for indulging.
Not at all. Thanks for the comment (as always).
ReplyDeleteIt does bring up an interesting question, though, as to how these movies should be evaluated. There are a lot of movies that are specifically made for the big screen, and can't really be done justice on the small screen. Ironic, isn't it, that a movie's time on the big screen is so limited, and it's small screen life is forever. There've been a lot of movies I've seen over the years that I felt like I couldn't fully enjoy on my small TV. (Some of the Marvel movies, with all the big CGI battles at the end, are completely wasted on the small screen.)
And yet, when I see one of these movies, I feel like I have to evaluate it based on how it plays on the small screen. Because its theatrical days are done.
Marvel movie battle scenes -- I remember seeing Thor: Ragnarok in the theatre and thinking the screen was too small for the final battle. Kinda ridiculous, really.
ReplyDeleteIt's reached a new level now, hasn't it? In my childhood, movies like Star Wars or Indiana Jones could still be enjoyed fine on the small screen. (Oh, I'm sure they were better on the big screen, but I still thrilled to them on the small screen.)
ReplyDeleteBut now a lot of these new action movies you just couldn't possibly absorb on the small screen. I know. I've tried.