by Alex Deleon, < Filmfestivals.com>
Terrence Malick's first documentary has been described by the director himself as "one of my greatest dreams". It is a collage film (like Koyaanisqatsi by Godfrey Reggio) that intends to illustrate the birth and death of an undiscovered universe. A film that promises to be highly experimental and perhaps Malick's most ambitious film. The story of the universe itself, with powerful images, from the Big Bang to the Mesozoic era and through the present and beyond, based on a project conceived decades ago. The film was made in two versions, a long one for theatres with Cate Blanchett as the narrator, and a 40' version for Imax with Brad Pitt as the narrator.
Terence Malick's abstract indulgence, "VOYAGE of Time~ Life's Journey" had lots of fascinating imagery --especially of African animals like giraffes in silhouette and. underwater sea life -- (and some horribly repulsive other life forms) -- but overall was as Pretentious as it's title, basically incoherent, and massively boring in spite of the interesting imagery --lots of volcano eruptions and lava flows apparently intended to convey the violence. of Creation -- but this was more of a Big Bust than a Big Bang.
Cate Blanchett's minimal "narration" limited as it was to what amounted to spare Italian intertitles visually -- ("Madre" repeated over and over... ) was totally unnecessary and served only to trivialize the subject natter -
The other abstract film this week at Venice, SPIRA MIRABILIS, was far more coherent and generally better if abstraction is your cup of tea.
Malick got scattered unenthusiastic applause at the end but I think most viewers. were as underwhelmed as I was although there were pools of heated discussions among the cognoscenti outside of the massive Sala Darsena after the screening.
It was the most breathlessly awaited film of the week with a turnaway crowd and the biggest disappointment as well
Certainly glad I didn't have to pay hard cash to see it and had to force myself not to walk out before the end.
Basic Assessment:
Cosmic Self Indulgence:
More of a Big Bust than a Big Bang.
