Disappointing

Rating: 6/10 (24 January 2005)

Martin Scorsese has never really let me down with his films. Also at times when I was thinking: how are you gonna find your way out of this massive disaster? it turns out to be a good film (like in 'Gangs of New York'). Leonardo DiCaprio has a way of surprising me. When I think: O my God - not another film ruined by this teen-idol! it actually comes out as a great movie. He sure is a talented actor.
But both prominent Hollywood figures did let me down this weekend. This weekend I saw The Aviator. It wasn't a bad film, not at all. The story is interesting and the acting is very well in some parts. Not to mention: John C. Reilly is playing (as always) a great role. But The Aviator never leaves a mediocre level - it's predictable, it babbles on never really being exciting in any way. The trailer makes us believe that it will be the epic we've always been waiting for. But it isn't at all. It is just a film about a tragic figure and a world that doesn't understand him. That intriguing fact is overlooked by the cinematographic violence and outdated visual effects, so the real tragedy never becomes really visible. For that reason I do not understand all the laudatory criticism - it could've been a brilliant movie if Scorsese had let this habit to overreact at home. The movie wants to be epic full of visual effects and a personal tragedy at the same time and it doesn't work out! So, I don't want to disappoint all the people who want to go and see this movie, but please take into account that it could just maybe turn out badly...