The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

danger boy

Watched this last night.. so so at best. Rent it only if you are having trouble falling asleep. :eek:

Seriously.. the movie runs 2:46 , that's TWO hours, 46 minutes.. a movie that should not have gone more than 90 mins tops.

While I thought the story line was original.. we get "it" pretty fast.. and they stretch that dang thing out so much. I think we all know how it's going to end of course if you know the storyline.

this is not a "sleeper" of a movie.. it is in fact a put you to sleep movie.

FYI: took me two nights to get through the movie.. only because it's so loooong.

kuntasensei

I respectfully disagree. The length of the movie is perfect, giving director David Fincher time to maintain a steady pace and give the many characters their due time in the story. This is an absolutely brilliant movie with some outstanding special effects used in a non-gimmicky way to really bring this story to life.

I originally watched the DVD version, which was passable but showed some compression artifacts, likely due to the movie's length. Watched it again in 1080p (first HD movie after running HDMI cable to my Sanyo PLV-Z2000 over the weekend) and was very impressed by the visuals and sound. The score in particular came across as very strong.

The mood of the movie was a lot like Forrest Gump to me, but I really enjoyed it. I was very impressed that this movie was done by David Fincher WITHOUT the visual style he typically implements (see Fight Club, Seven, Panic Room). Definitely worth seeing.

danz1906

Pretty good Movie.

cnh

Haven't seen it but wasn't there an episode of one of the Star Trek spin-offs where they encounter and entire civilization that 'ages backwards' to a childlike state and then die? Original Idea? There aren't many left on earth!

cnh

MrNightly

I thought it was extremely well done, no doubt. I would have enjoyed it even more if I hadn't had similar experience with parts of it that just didn't settle. (No, not the growing younger parts... ha)

I doubt I will ever watch it again. Kinda one of those depressing movies you just don't really want to watch all that often even though they were borderline masterpieces of work (Pan's Labyrinth comes to mind as another)

Worthy of a rental for sure. Will probably make it's way into my collection down the road, just not this year.

CaligulaPolk

this movie is awesome, good plot and i enjoyed watching this movie. IT was interesting and sad.

jon s

I also thought the moving was well made, altho the length was a bit too long... Watching it on Blu-Ray on a big (110") screen shows a LOT of digital effects done to their faces as they age. Close-ups lack details in skin, looked very photoshopped, especially when Brad Pitt was in his 20s...

bobman1235

I agree with the OP, this movie got WAY too much credit for what it was. It was all right, but WAY too long. The whole point of the movie (the aging backwards thing) was almost DOWNplayed and the movie just turned out to be an almost cliche love lost story, dragged out and beaten over your head. Academy Awards? REally? Maybe for costume design or whatever, but not best picture.

hockeyboy

I have the blu sitting in my theater unopened. Trying to figure out how to watch it backwards like we are supposed to...

Kex

There was a thread on this several months ago ...

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=76213&highlight=Benjamin

The movie does not seem to be getting a very enthusiastic reception.

VR3

Saw this movie a few weeks ago. Neat story.

But, as far as character development goes and caring for Benjamin and who he is and the love of his life, they both could of died 90 minutes into it in the most dramatic way and I believe my emotions would be similar. I hate Brad Pitt and that woman in that movie is equally as bad.

But yeah, the story was interesting.

danger boy

jon s wrote: »

I also thought the moving was well made, altho the length was a bit too long... Watching it on Blu-Ray on a big (110") screen shows a LOT of digital effects done to their faces as they age. Close-ups lack details in skin, looked very photoshopped, especially when Brad Pitt was in his 20s...

yes.. make up was really bad... i mean.. my cat could have done better make up. esp when Benjamin was middle age.. old age his makeup was ok.... as he got younger.. the make up went to pits.

Ok.. i can accept the fact that I'm in the minority for liking the movie.. and esp the length.

I think some directors think that if they make a longer movie it will be a better movie.. not true.

Maybe because of my work as a videotape editor. I can find lots of "filler" in the movie. Not a movie i'll watch again. and certainly not spend $$ on.

roygrady

Thought it was an hour two long.

messiah

The GF and I both thought it was overrated. I actually fell asleep about 2 hours into it. Give it props for a unique idea though.

bobman1235

Don't give it too much props; it's based ona short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald from the 20's.

Ron Temple

Wow, what a bunch of critics .

I loved this movie, the love story was the framework, but the subject was mortality. It moved at deliberate pace, but every scene was full of pathos, humor, love and death. It was a fable, Gumpian, but overall had much more depth. The entire cast were outstanding. This one and Frost/Nixon take the brass ring for movie excellence in 08 for me.

If you watched the features, you'll see how they handled putting Brad's head on at least 3 actor's bodies, as well as, the program they used to give Blanchette and Pitt the fountain of youth treatment. It ain't photoshop. I thought it looked very organic. They've been wanting to make this move for over 20 years, but couldn't do it without using a platoon of actors. It wouldn't have worked. Hell, the could barely pull it off now. They had to invent some of the tech as they went along causing some real concerns from the tech guys.

debussyj

Hey, I agree it was a bit lengthy. However, I like that time-period stuff, think the story/acting was great. Most importantly, it looked awesome on my Pioneer plasma!:) DJ

fatchowmein

Ron Temple wrote: »

I loved this movie, the love story was the framework, but the subject was mortality. It moved at deliberate pace, but every scene was full of pathos, humor, love and death. It was a fable, Gumpian, but overall had much more depth. The entire cast were outstanding.

Finally got around to watching this. I agree. It is a human story with the flaw of being a bit too lengthy for the cinema. Perhaps a made for TV version with three 1 hour episodes may have worked better. Thoroughly enjoyed watching it unfold thanks in part to the other button - pause.

Rental. This isn't exactly one of those flicks you're likely to replay unless you enjoy rewatching movies like Forrest Gump.

DeusExa

Good elements for a book. Not so much a movie...

Forrest Gump was awesome!

wutadumsn23

Wasn't the best movie I have ever seen, but it wasn't too bad. Did seem a bit long to me too, but I guess that is all personal opinion.

-Jeff