JIM Reviews film "LAND OF THE LOST" – What’s Lost was Direction, what’s Found was DISAPPOINTMENT =

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“LAND OF THE LOST” – What’s lost was Direction, what’s Found was DISAPPOINTMENT =

Rating: 6 of 10 stars.

(Per an advance screening:) In some ways, it appears the filmmakers were unsure just WHAT they wanted to accomplish with this, or just who it was “aimed” at: I expected a silly comedy, which would have been OK. This had a bunch of nuttiness— that didn’t go “far” enough to make it truly FUNNY, or real cleverness to make it very enjoyable. There are a number of laughs— but they’re all LITTLE ones. You’ve got some fine SPECIAL EFFECTS in the form of dinosaurs, alien areas, etc. You might thus expect it to be aimed at kids— yet there are a number of SEXUAL references that don’t seem to ‘fit’ with that audience. Pompous, overly-talky scientist Rick (well played by WILL FARRELL, especially considering the weak writing) espouses being able to mix the past with the future via an alternate universe. His quest to prove his theory is nurtured by scientist Holly (ANNA FRIEL), & joined by reluctant tour guide Will (DANNY McBRIDE) + an alien Monkey Boy (JORMA TACCONE). The film has some refreshing action sequences, fine soundtrack (by MICHAEL GIACCHINO), but lots of wasted time & money (such as in the desert scenes). It’s mildly diverting, but could have been so much BETTER! (A trivia question for the future: What well-known “Star Trek” actor is the voice of alien Zarn in THIS film?).