Customer Reviews

Ray Bradbury's Chrysalis

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4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I must admit that I was disappointed in this film. It had the feeling of a "movie of the week" and there was little unpredictable. I have never read the story it was based on, but am a fan of Bradbury. The author had a series on television many years ago that had none of the production value of this movie. I suggest you rent it before you buy.

Glad to see this is coming out on DVD. This was one of my favorite sci-fi flicks from recent years. I actually ordered it on two different occasions when it was available on demand. If you are a Bradbury fan this is a must see. It will take away the bad taste from A Sound of Thunder. This movie works really well in a way that most sci-fi flicks these days don't. When dealing with Bradbury stories you know you are in for tales about wonder, powerful ideas and relevant issues. What makes this one work so well is the main character of Smith, who is very intriguing. There's a big mystery surrounding the sudden changes he's experiencing and that forces most of the people around him to face their darkest fears while other more hopeful individuals, who believe in the goodness of nature and creation, actually fight to protect him. As I said before classic sci-fi ideas, really well executed. Any word on what the special features will be? I seem to recall reading somewhere that Bradbury was involved and consulted during the making of the film. I know he was at Comic Con last year promoting the film. I'm hoping some of that stuff will make it onto the DVD. What about a commentary track from him? I don't think he's recorded one since the Laserdisc release of Something Wicked This Way Comes. Looking forward to getting this!!!

An elaboration on the original Bradbury short story, this tale adds the menace of a world after the Bomb has been dropped. There is intrigue and conflict added besides the central theme of an oddly transforming human. It moves a bit slowly for more current action/adventure tastes. But the conclusion is appropriate for this take on the story.

This movie is not to be confused with the 2007 French-language movie by the same name. The two are not related.

This movie looks as if it was made by the struggling cinema industry of some Slavic country several decades ago - perhaps a 1950's Moldavian production. Well, the action is supposed to be taking place in an underground bunker after a future plague has decimated most of the earth's life forms. However, this movie abuses the privilege that such a theme would grant it to look dim and dingy. This movie goes all the way to being nearly unwatchable.

What's more, the acting is terrible. Although many of the featured players have turned in notable performances in a variety of TV series and other movies - here they melt right into the indie Moldavia look. Their performances are stilted, stagey, and marked by long, awkward pauses in which they seem to be struggling to remember their next lines.

The only reason to check out this DVD is for its bonus commentary. Ray Bradbury briefly participates, since the film is based on his early "Chrysalis" short story. His approval of this film does pose a mystery though. How could he recognize some faults with the generally engrossing movies made of his classic stories "Fahrenheit 451" and "The Illustrated Man" - and yet so thoroughly approve this creaky venture? Well, a clue to his attitude comes in some of the first remarks he makes in the commentary. He acknowledges how the young producers/directors of this film avowed their love for him, and he says "How can anyone reject someone who says they love you?"

Of course, that's been done. But Bradbury is apparently too gallant and heartfelt to go that route. His sane humanism shines through this gloom. He also says that, as far as what emerges from the chrysalis, the big movie houses wanted to turn his material into another "monster on the loose" tale. These indie producers he finally granted the rights to were at least steadfast in keeping the plot close to his original, lower-key intentions.

In any case, this movie certainly won't in and of itself make you a Bradbury fan. But it's so bad, it might impel you to go to the source to find out why so many earnest attempts have been made to translate his stories to film. I wasn't able to immediately find the "S is for Space" collection that includes this first "Chrysalis" story. (He also entitled a later story "Chrysalis," but that one had a somewhat different theme.) However, I did go back to his "October Country" collection which had been languishing on my shelves for some time. I also got a copy of "Twice Twenty-Two - The Golden Apples of the Sun." So some good did come out of getting this movie. It led me back to Bradbury's original genius.

Once again, the best advice is to "read the book."

I am a huge Ray Bradbury fan and have been since I was a very young man. This movie is horrible and a direct affront to Mr. Bradbury. The story line stinks, the lighting is awful and dark and the actors third rate at best. It is impossible to follow the storyline because it jumps all over the place and each actor seems to be on stage alone. Bradbury's work deserved much better than this. Don't spend your money on this piece of drivel.

I was expecting more than a one-star piece of "HUH?" but that's what this movie gives you. It seems to be interesting but then peters out to "Huh? What happened? Did it just end?" A very big disappointment. Nothing to do with Bradbury, who I love.

I was invited to the initial private screening with Ray, George Clayton Johnson, and Irvin Kershner by my friend Roger, the producer. I must say they did a remarkable job considering they had to pad the script by about sixty pages! It's a great and classic story by Ray, and the filmmakers did a good job adapting it to the screen.