355. Strange World; movie review

 

STRANGE WORLD

Cert PG

102 mins

BBFC advice: Contains mild fantasy, threat

"Right, we need to prove that we are up with the diversity agenda. Ideas, anyone?"

I have this vision of the scene at Disney headquarters as executives tried to quell the perception that the studios were off the pace.

"Why don't we have a movie about climate change with the gay son of a mixed-race couple as its hero?" I could envisage the reply.

All of these elements and more are present in Strange World as Disney goes all-out to prove it is still relevant in 2022.

It begins with an ill-fated expedition by renowned explorer Jaeger Clade (voiced by Dennis Quaid) who disappears in pursuit of a lifelong ambition.

Meanwhile, his son, Searcher (Jake Gyllenhaal) survives and makes a scientific discovery which literally changes the world.

The story spins on 25 years and the boy has become an adult farmer with a son (Jaboukie Young-White) of his own and a failing crop.

Literally, to get to the root of the problem, they set off with a team and go beneath the earth's surface.

There are all sorts of issues which Strange World tries to address.

The tense father-son dynamic is front and centre as well as the concept of history repeating itself.

Racial harmony is shown through to the mixed marriage of Searcher and his wife (Gabrielle Union) while sexuality is addressed through their son's gay crush on another boy in their town.

The climate change metaphors are a little more subtle but should resonate nonetheless.

Strange World is so colourful it is bordering on psychedelic and is awash with imagined animals, both friendly and furious.

Don Hall and Qui Nguyen's picture is fast-paced and reasonably entertaining but we couldn't help feeling that it is a little too earnest.

It is as if Disney is trying to play all its diversity cards in one very rushed hand.

Reasons to watch: Disney for 2022

Reasons to avoid: It tries too hard on the diversity front

Laughs: Two

Jumps: Two

Vomit: None

Nudity: None

Overall rating: 7/10

Did you know? Dennis Quaid and Jake Gyllenhaal previously played father and son in The Day After Tomorrow in 2004

The final word. Co-director and writer Qui Nguyen: “We really wanted a film that reflected the world that we actually lived in. Because there was always a version where you coulda just made them all blue or something, but instead, we wanted a world that when you look out the window in L.A. or New York, it felt like the world you’re actually in.” What's On Disney Plus

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