Too much hype. Disappointed

Rating: 5/10 (13 November 1999)

I really wanted to like this movie after reading such wonderful reviews from professional reviewers I covet dearly. Clever, yes, creative yes but a little bit of this and a little bit of that is what I think I saw. The wonderful film "Cocoon", "2001", "Alice in Wonderland" all seemed to come together somewhere along with John Malkovich. Where is all this supposed orginality coming from? As I watched the film, I kept being reminded of other films I'd seen. It seems a little like "The Emporers New Clothes" Due to it's being a different kind of picture, everyone has to say or think, it's different, so it's wonderful. Also, too bad the genuinely creative puppeteer, had to end up as the "Heavy".Despite my disappointment, I must give credit to the actors. They all did a super job.