Great Director

Robert Zemeckis

10-11-2009

He’s helped pioneer special effects in film. He’s created revolutionary techniques that the movie world is still benefiting from. He’s directed both critically acclaimed dramas and pop corn entertainment. And sadly the average person doesn’t even know his name. He is Robert Zemeckis, an Academy Award-winning director who also happens to be friends with big shot producer Steven Spielberg. Unlike Spielberg though who has a love for the art of storytelling as well as effects, Zemeckis has admitted that he is more interested in special effects then storytelling. It’s ironic then that many of his movies, while seeped in special effects, are praised for their timeless stories. Whether he’s kidding about his storytelling skills or just lucky, Zemeckis films have stood the test of time even when their special effects haven’t.

His direction in “Who Framed Roger Rabbit?” won the film four Academy Awards, and to this day is still considered to be the best combination of animation with live action in the world today. His special effects in the “Back To The Future” trilogy may have aged awkwardly, but the movies are almost more fun to watch today than they were back in the day. And his revolutionary use of motion capture technology has made movies like “The Polar Express” and “Beowulf” stand out from the competition. But beneath all this technical wizardry are stories that touch the heart and makes audiences feel good. “Back To The Future” touched on old feelings of falling in love and trying desperately to get the girl even though you have nothing worthwhile to give her sometimes.

‘Roger Rabbit’ touches on a human emotion that laugher can sometimes be lifes greatest medicine, and that without it you can become depressed and miserable. One of his latest films, “The Polar Express,” touches on the childhood faith that so many of us lose when we grow up. So whether he wants to admit it or not, Zemeckis’s films are beloved more because of their heart then because of their flash. Course, Zemeckis seems to understand that better than anyone. Raised in a Catholic, blue collar family, young Zemeckis had a upbringing that likely instilled the values that have touched so many people in his films. These values are most prevalent in his Oscar-winning film “Forrest Gump,” about a retarded man who goes through histories most important events with his own unique take on them.

Some people incorrectly thought the film was saying “stupid works,” when in fact the movie was speaking to those through the heart of a child. Born slow and unintelligent, Forrest goes through life living on the advice of his dear old Momma. With nothing else to judge on other than his own feelings of right and wrong, Forrest provided America with a sweet critique of how we live our life, and seemed to be silently asking where the love in the world was. He found miracles in the smallest things, and yet those miracles were so profound when you contemplated them. This movie is a perfect example of why Zemeckis is a great director. Since “Forrest Gump” did rely on revolutionary techniques to tell the story it’s safe to say that any technical wizard could have directed this film and make it look as good as Zemeckis did.

But Zemeckis found the heart of the character and the soul of the movie, and used them to great effect. A George Lucus or Baz Lahurmar would have missed the emotion in the story altogether. Right now Zemeckis is taking a much needed break from live action films and focusing on his animation. And judging from his earlier efforts, chances are he’ll find the heart even in his future films.

Cream of the Crop
(In alphabetical particular order)

Though made as a high school comedy, Zemeckis made what would become a benchmark classic that wouldn't be matched too many times. The story of a kid who travels back in time and accidentially interfiers with his parents romance struck a cord with more then just kids,and the hilarious results became the stuff of legend. Zemeckis would attempt to recapture the magic with the following two sequels, but those movies just didn't catch on in the same way.

Though not as memorable as some of his other animated films, "Beowulf" gets a special nod because it did something unique: It was a dark, violent fantasy geared towards adults and not children. The movie was gritty, stylistic, and exciting to watch. In IMAX 3D it was even more of a crowd pleaser. The only bad thing: The MPAA decided that because it was a cartoon it could get away with a very hard PG-13 instead of the R-rating it more then deserved. Keep an eye peeled for one of Alan Silvestri's most epic and thrilling scores.

Although this film mainly suceeds because of Tom Hanks Oscar-nominated performance, the movie is still beautiful to look at. So lonely and fierce is this island, that simple tidal waves threaten the escape of our hero more then his lack of wood.

Considered his masterpiece, everyone in the world fell in love with "Forrest Gump" in 1994. The story of a mentally handicapped man who lived through the decades won our hearts as well as wowed us with it's special effects. The movie would receive six Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Director for Zemeckis. Not only that, but Gump's little quote about life being like a box of chocolates would become one of the great movie lines of all time.

Though this movie received three Academy Award nominations, one of it's questionable shut-outs was that it was not nominated for Best Animated Feature. Since then "The Polar Express" has become a new Christmas classic. It had the power to enchant young and old alike, and many of it's new songs have become new radio favorites around the holidays. Even more impressive is that it routinely has been re-released in IMAX 3D every year since it's original release, giving IMAX much needed cash to expand their operations.

Though Zemeckis had made a couple of low-budget comedies that tanked, once he made "Romancing The Stone" he was an instant star. This exotic adventure staring Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner thrilled audiences with it's exciting adventure and great cinematography.

Not only did Zemeckis help save 3D animation in IMAX, his "Who Framed Roger Rabbit?" revived interest in animation in general. The movie is still considered the most successful animation/live action hybrid piece to come from Hollywood. The film would win four Academy Awards but the film would not be nominated for Best Picture. Even so, Roger Rabbit is a personal favorite for moviegoers, one that has people begging for a sequel even though this movie was released over twenty years ago.

Turd In The Potpourri

Though everyone loves a good suspense thriller this is one of the poorest examples of how to make one. The first problem with "What Lies Beneath" is that the twist ending was made the focus point in the advertising campaign, leaving little suspense or surprise in store for the audiences. The second problem is that the story was convoluted even with the whole thing explained, and made big stars Harrison Ford and Michelle Pfeifer look like a couple of yuts on the screen. Zemeckis reportingly made this to keep himself busy while "Cast Away" was on hiatus so that Tome Hanks could lose weight. Whether he considers this a side project or not is besides the point though, as the movie just felt desperate and boring.