Technology makes 'Tomorrow' today

"Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow" is a tough flick to review. On one hand, it's a huge step forward as far as cinematic technology goes. On the other, it seems like a movie dreamt up by a nerdy 8-year-old who'd most likely reenact the film's preposterous plot with Legos in his or her bedroom. Ultimately, this is the genius and damnation of this giddily-exciting yet mind-numbingly stupid entertainment.\nJude Law headlines as the titular Joe "Sky Captain" Sullivan, a cocksure fighter pilot who embodies the heroic archetype set forth by Harrison Ford in the "Star Wars" and "Indiana Jones" flicks with a dash of Errol Flynn thrown in for good measure. Gwyneth Paltrow co-stars as ace reporter Polly Perkins (think Lois Lane with blonde locks), Joe's ex-girlfriend. The two are thrown together in hopes of thwarting the treacherous machinations of Dr. Totenkopf (the very much dead Laurence Olivier, appearing here through archival footage), a mad scientist hell-bent on destroying the world. Aiding the dynamic duo in their quest are cyclopic Brit bomber babe Franky Cook (Angelina Jolie -- better here than she's been in ages) and Joe's hilariously named "yes"-man Dex Dearborn (Giovanni Ribisi, channeling Superman sidekick Jimmy Olsen and James Bond's assistant Q).\n"Sky Captain" isn't so much a story as it is a series of visual gags and set pieces -- flying robots inundate a New York City knockoff, ray guns are the weapon of choice, seemingly all planes are submersible, airstrips are airborne and monkey-faced pterodactyls are the norm. First-time director Kerry Conran and his production designer brother Kevin are directly responsible for these traits. In paying homage to "Flash Gordon," "Buck Rogers" (Dex's comic book of choice) and serials from the '30s and '40s, the Conran brothers had to film entirely before blue and green screens later adding sets and props digitally to appropriately convey their fantastical world. The technique is oftentimes dynamic (the aerial fights must be seen to be believed), occasionally laughable (Paltrow confusedly running between robots' legs) and likely to be historical -- more movies will undoubtedly be made this way very shortly. \nThat Kerry spent four years toiling away on his home computer preparing the six-minute demo that eventually got "Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow" sold should tell viewers something. This is his labor of love, and while commendable, the final product could've been more cohesive.