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Re: lxg

From: <Mystery1881~at~aol.com>
Date: Sun, 4 Apr 2004 17:09:40 EDT
To: jvf~at~Gilead.org.il

Despite Mr. Taves disclaimer that all opinions are his own, I have to agree
with his assesments of the LXG. Although the fraction of the movie we're
interested in (perhaps the Wells and Stevenson socities have their own cricitcisms
as well) has its antecedents in Verne, its overall direct source is Moore's
graphic novel. If it is acceptable to criticize Hollywood when it alters
literary works for the screen, it should even more proper to criticize films when
they depart from a "graphic novel" . Surely what made the graphic novel popular
enough to justify a film treatment was not only the plot/characters, etc. but
the visuals as well. This is getting around to the idea that not only was Nemo
messed with, but the Nautilus, as well. I thought that Moore's Nautilus was
really good (at least it could fit in the Thames), and I was disappointed not to
see it. Moore did have Nemo in Indian dress, so for me, that was ok. But the
LXG Nautilus was both non-Verne (ie plain) and non-Disney and worse than the
modernized c. '95 set of TV Nautili. The retro nickle plated bow ornaments
were non- functional, unlike Moore's interesting and useful nautiloid tenticles.
The non-canonical superfluous elephantine auto has its own detractors. Along
with the Nautilus's improbable exterior dimensions, the interiors were the
most spacially incongruent since the Tardis. Moore's version was much more
steampunk industrial/utilitarian and less Bombay importer's decor. At least I think
I saw a circular observation window. Brian is right about the crew and
"Ishmail", as well. I've thought that perhaps while we're cross referencing, Nemo's
second in command should have been Robur, or perhaps his No. 2 , Tom Turner
(I suppose we're lucky it wasn't Stevenson's Long John Silver ---arrgh mates).
David McCallister
Received on Sun 04 Apr 2004 - 23:09:57 IST

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