After a 23 year absence, Alejandro Jodorowsky returns with "The Dance of Reality". Financed entirely by donations, it is also adapted from Jodorowsky's autobiography of the same name, and the first use of CGI in the directors filmography that usually features nothing but visual flair.
Managing to encompass the surreal and absurd-ism of Jodorowsky's early theatre work. The movie focuses on Alejandro's childhood in Tocopilla, Chile, and the abuse his family suffered at the hands of his father Jamie (Played by Jodorowsky's son Brontis). The story also focuses on Jamie's devout love of communism, and setting him on a quest of "enlightenment". One scenario involves becoming a horse groomer in a bid to assassinate right-wing president Carlos Ibanez del Campo.
As usual, scenarios get out of hand leading to a movie of visual splendour. However, I would only recommend "The Dance of Reality" to those familiar with the directors previous work. The CGI can be slightly choppy, but nothing that hinders the overall production. The script work is admirable, much of the symbolism is presented by Jodorowsky himself and then subtly included for you to find and decipher. Brontis Jodorowsky gives a fantastic performance, so much so I hope to find more of them and Jeremias Herskovits as the young Alejandro was wonderful also.
Final Verdict: If there's anything that "The Dance of Reality" suffers from it is a pacing issue, but upon reflection certain scenes really leave an impression and is wildly different than anything recently released. Jodorowsky's magical biopic is an admirable return to form, and is wonderfully colourful enough to ensure the movies charm for many years to come. 7.5/10.
Managing to encompass the surreal and absurd-ism of Jodorowsky's early theatre work. The movie focuses on Alejandro's childhood in Tocopilla, Chile, and the abuse his family suffered at the hands of his father Jamie (Played by Jodorowsky's son Brontis). The story also focuses on Jamie's devout love of communism, and setting him on a quest of "enlightenment". One scenario involves becoming a horse groomer in a bid to assassinate right-wing president Carlos Ibanez del Campo.
As usual, scenarios get out of hand leading to a movie of visual splendour. However, I would only recommend "The Dance of Reality" to those familiar with the directors previous work. The CGI can be slightly choppy, but nothing that hinders the overall production. The script work is admirable, much of the symbolism is presented by Jodorowsky himself and then subtly included for you to find and decipher. Brontis Jodorowsky gives a fantastic performance, so much so I hope to find more of them and Jeremias Herskovits as the young Alejandro was wonderful also.
Final Verdict: If there's anything that "The Dance of Reality" suffers from it is a pacing issue, but upon reflection certain scenes really leave an impression and is wildly different than anything recently released. Jodorowsky's magical biopic is an admirable return to form, and is wonderfully colourful enough to ensure the movies charm for many years to come. 7.5/10.