Gulliver's Travels

The great thing about this movie is it's modern take. True, the original story was a book, and in this case, it did not stay true to it. As a modern audience, that's what we like, the movie staying true to the book. Just as we had read it. How would the world have reacted if Harry Potter didn't have black hair or a scar on his forehead? Not very well.

Although, I would say that the story being retold in a modern light is alright. The original story is really old and has been told over and over countless times. Due to the age of the story, there is no way a modern audience could find a way to apply it to themselves.

Story:
That aside, the movie is about a mail room worker named Gulliver(Jack Black) who is a bit less mature than others his age. He is a man who is all bark and no bite, and can talk a big game, but not bring anything to the table. An unlikely hero. One day he's challenged by another mail room worker to ask out the girl of his dreams(Amanda Peet), whom is a travel editor for the magazine they work for. That night, he find the courage to go to her office and ask her out, but chickens out at the last minute. And, thanks to his big mouth, gets a job working for her to investigate the Bermuda Triangle. After all the arrangements have been made, he's set sail for the triangle and comes upon a tremendous storm.Which comes to swallow him and his ship into a tremendous tempest.

When he comes to, he finds he cannot move. To his surprise, he's been tied down to the ground with tiny ropes and people all around him who are no more than five inches high, whom are called Lilliputians. After a few good deeds and some laughs, Gulliver befriends the Lilliputians. Only to see more problems arise.

Review:
One of the things I liked about this movie is the subtle lessons it shows. It shows that times definitely change, that through time attitudes, opinions, and the way we talk will change. It shows that we can come to change ourselves, through the new people that we meet. Or even the opposite, how we can inadvertently change everyone around us. It tells us that lies can make people like you at first, but when they learn the truth, don't want to be around you.

Cast:
Now for the headlining actors and actresses. I thought they were all amazing. There was no doubt that Jack Black was the perfect person for the part. Now i don't know if it was, but the part was probably written with him in mind. Even still, I really enjoyed his character. Amanda Peet wasn't around a whole lot during the movie, but her character was likable and well played. Now, Jason Segal, this is a new thing than what I'm used to seeing him in, which would be a comedic role. Now this movie was a comedy, but his character was all drama. Which he pulled off wonderfully! I want to see more from him in that genre. But all the comedy with his character was due to the Gulliver role. Perfect example was the parody of the infamous 'Cyrano de Bergerac'.


Overall, this was a very funny, family film. Highly recommend it.