A movie that succeeds purely from its concept

Rating: 8/10 (8 August 2017)

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Directed by David Fincher
Starring Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett.
Plot Overview: Born under unusual circumstances, Benjamin Button (Brad Pitt) springs into being as an elderly man in a New Orleans nursing home and ages in reverse. Twelve years after his birth, he meets Daisy, a child who flickers in and out of his life as she grows up to be a dancer (Cate Blanchett). Though he has all sorts of unusual adventures over the course of his life, it is his relationship with Daisy, and the hope that they will come together at the right time, that drives Benjamin forward.
The concept of this movie is fascinating to me. It is probably the strongest point of the movie and is easily what is most talked about. In many respects, it is a gimmick movie but it does carry a lot of weight behind it, elevating it to the status of 'movie'. For a movie that approaches the 3 hour mark, it is undeniably entertaining. I will give it credit.
As far as the core story goes, this movie is actually really weak. The concept was great and it is genuinely intriguing but without that concept, the movie is exceptionally weak. It's just a boring, conventional love story. Granted, the movie is built around the concept but that doesn't excuse a pretty by-the-numbers plot. Without the gimmick of ageing backward, I have no doubt this movie would be towing the line of average/awful. I do, however, like the way they concluded the story but I think it would have been a little more poetic if they concluded it a tad bit before, age wise.
I do admire the storytelling but the intersections in the modern day were just boring and incredibly uninteresting to me. It sorta reminds me of Memento due to the whole concept of telling a story(in some form) in reverse. I think Memento handled it better but they are very different films so it is kinda unfair to compare them.
Brad Pitt is one of my favourite living actors. As far as I know, the man can do no wrong acting wise. And that is no different in this spectacular performance. I cannot commend him enough for this role; it is truly incredible. Button is a fascinating and interesting character, and is quirky enough to make him likable. He is appropriately weird and never overstayed his welcome for me.
Cate Blanchett was pretty good in the movie as Daisy but she is far overshadowed by Pitt. As for Daisy as a character, I personally just see her as a generic love interest with no real defining qualities that set her apart. I did buy the relationship between her and Button but it was hard for me to be fully supportive when I felt nothing for her character.
I am of the firm belief that David Fincher is incapable of making one of his movies look bad. Every single one of his movies is perfectly shot and edited. They all look fantastic and the atmosphere he creates is one of a kind. The effects and makeup in this movie are also exceptional and look fantastic. They really portray the changing in age for a character.
I recommend this movie for the sheer spectacle, effects and performances. It definitely lacks in story but considering it is near 3 hours long, it doesn't feel like it in the slightest. I would definitely watch this movie; I'll rate this movie 8 Voldermort Babies out of 10.