Rated: PG-13 for violence, criminality, sensuality and language - all involving teens. Runtime: 97 mins. Director: David S. Goyer Writer: Mick Davis and Christine Roum Cast:Justin Chatwin; Margarita Levieva; Marcia Gay Harden; Chris Marquette ... complete cast Tagline: Life, death and something in between. Genre: Drama / Fantasy / Mystery Memorable Quote: "I'm alive... Holy shit, I'm alive. " Theatrical Release Date: April 27, 2007
DVD Release Date: October 16, 2007 Distributor: Walt Disney Video Official Site:www.myspace.com/theinvisiblemovie View the Trailer:www.apple.com/trailers/touchstone/theinvisible/
Reel commentary: ... The cover of this DVD has a tagline that reads: ‘together they must solve his murder… before it’s too late.’ Since that is in no way the story being told in this film, it begs the question that if the distribution company and marketing geniuses can’t get a hold on what the Hell this is about, then how is an audience going to?... full review
By Christopher Symonds
Step out of the world of cinema for a moment. Let’s keep things in the real world, away from the silver screen, but talk about story. In everyday life stories are as common as veils on Michael Jackson’s kids… we tell them everyday. What happened at work, at school, something we hear, something we witness, even telling a joke to a group of friends, and without fail there is nothing worse than a story that either goes nowhere or doesn’t make any sense when it’s finished...
Now, slip back into your cinema seat, and bear witness to a 30 million dollar representation of an everyday frustration: a story that leaves you wondering why the Hell you bothered to listen, because when all is said and done, little makes sense... and they can’t blame it on too much beer (can they?)
David S. Goyer - a man that is no stranger to storytelling, having penned us the gritty, engrossing Batman Begins amongst other successes – steps up to the bullhorn to direct The Invisible: a remake of the Swedish film Den Osynlige. It tells the ‘story’ of Nick Powell (Justin Chatwin) a bright young man trying to escape from a constricted, over-planned existence by shooting off to the UK to be a writer... of course things don’t go to plan, and Nick ends up a victim of foul play at the hands of the nasty-with-a-heart-of-gold Annie (Margarita Levieva). Now, trapped somewhere between life and death, Nick has to find a way to lead people - that can’t see or hear him - to his dying body before it’s too late.
The script is overwrote with what seems to be the commonplace error of 2007 – being writers mistaking convolution with complexity (Spider-man 3 being the most high profile sinner of the year for this). There are so many different subplots that A. they make the entire pacing of the story sluggish; and B. Half of them are not paid off by the end credits! What happens to the best friend? Annie’s nasty boyfriend? They set up that the investigating cop knew Annie, and reduce that gem to one line “That’s a long story.’ Annie suddenly can hear Nick – WHY? Used to be a rule in screenwriting the same as telling a joke... if you set it up, pay it off! Otherwise, don’t use it! Characterisation has a mix of blessings and curses. There are genuine efforts to deliver dimensional characters here, especially that of the Annie character. But shoddy plotting, and the ridiculous leaps of faith we are asked to take throughout counteract any headway they make. Nick, the protagonist, is especially irritating. After being set up as an intelligent, resourceful young man, he spends his time between worlds screaming at people that can’t hear him over-and-over-and-over, instead of following the ONE opportunity that presents itself (animals can hear him)... this makes him annoying to follow, and look dim-witted, not smart.
The direction is slick and dynamic from Goyer, with the exception being the idiotic MTV-ish moments throughout, complete with music that will date the movie faster than a diva off her Botox. Given the right material, (and WHY he can’t write a winner for himself, like he has for countless other directors beats the crap out of me) Goyer has the skills to deliver both a polished and engaging story to watch.
The score by Marco Beltrami is something to note – very melancholic, beautiful, and a true asset to the film. If only they had stuck with the score only, instead of intermixing it with silly rock-ballad moments, at least one element of this film would have come out unscathed at the end.
So lays to waste yet another story that, in premise alone, lends itself to being something to catch your eyes and ears. The cover of this DVD has a tagline that reads: ‘together they must solve his murder... before it’s too late.’ Since that is in no way the story being told in this film, it begs the question that if the distribution company and marketing geniuses can’t get a hold on what the Hell this is about, then how is an audience going to? Shoddy, messy work.
Christopher Symonds
Comments
Frank says:
November 7. 2007
More memorable Quotes from The Invisible:
"I know this sounds weird, but you're the only one who can save me. How messed up is that?"
"You get off your bony ass and make him dinner!"
"Pete! This isn't the way out! If you die, I die! God, Pete, you're my last hope!"
"I saw your face last night, Annie, and for a minute there I bet you would've traded places with me. "
"Day burns down to night, Burns the edge of my soul. In the night I break into sparks of suns And become fires in a dust of bones Night knifes My breath swallows whole my tongue Turn back Reverse return In the night I see the real Concealed in the day's bright lie Eyes stitched shut White teeth smile Sleep walks and talks And feet mark time of day."
Brandis says:
January 4, 2008
my god i love this movie.
Screen formats: Widescreen Anamorphic 2.35:1
Subtitles: French; Spanish
Language and Sound: English: Dolby Digital 5.1; French: Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo; Spanish: Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo
Other Features: Color; interactive menus; scene access; deleted scenes; audio commentary; music videos.
Commentary -
1- With Goyer and Roum
2- With Co-writer Mick Davis
Deleted and extended scenes - An additional 20 minutes of footage with optional commentary from Goyer and co-writer Christine Roum.
Music Videos - The Kill by 30 Seconds to Mars; and Taking Back Control by Sparta.
Trailers - previews of other Disney/Buena Vista films.
Comments
