Good show, but not nearly as 'earth-shaking' as you might expect...

Rating: 7/10 (2 July 2005)

... It reminded me of "Titanic" in a lot of ways; you can see where all the money's gone; and a number of the visuals are quite simply fantastic. We know Spielberg can handle a set-piece; but for me, since the early days of films like Jaws he's comparatively lacking in the ability to marry such talent with the due care and attention required for a script. Give him a 'little' film, and he'll explore wider issues; let him loose on a blockbuster these days, and he goes for the showier moments to the detriment of other pleasures. Those of you who've seen "The Lost World" might get what I'm trying to say.
"Titanic" was a big film where the script took a backseat, and so is the case here. Of course, that doesn't mean there isn't some enjoyment to be had from what's on offer - and those just looking to marvel at the spectacle won't give a hoot; but why assemble a cast with such big-hitters, when there's not much thought behind their actions beyond 'look panicked'? At times it feels like a loosely disguised retrospective of Spielberg's past numbers, too; riffing on all the things you'd expect, like "Close Encounters" and "Jurassic Park". Why 'revisit' though, when such ground has already been covered? I hate to whine too much when something looks as good as this does; but it sorta feels like a step backward for Steven, after the looser, more 'experimental' style he's shown us with his recent work...