For fans of Steampunk this adaptation starts out interesting enough, with excellent sets, boilers, gas masks and clothing to please. The directing was good so far as the script allowed; the shots were well-framed and the movie flowed well. Many have claimed the acting to be terrible, but really it's not (we've seen BAD acting). This is simply a Victorian setting-- welcome to stodgy and wooden. I thought the actors did well enough considering the script they were given; it's the script that was the problem.
This is not so much an adaptation of the original story as a near-total departure. No spoilers, but the last 20 minutes will leave one either "I love Steampunk!" impressed, or jaw gaping at the stupidity of the plot resolution (in most cases, I believe the later). The story has been done before and better, and while the Steampunk setting was fairly interesting... the liberties taken were disappointing.
Two significant issues: the garden itself (which has to be one of the most underwhelming gardens on the face of this planet) and a prop "doll" that is ridiculous to the point of my wondering if it will fit in the shredder. Honestly, from the moment that doll is introduced the entire plot goes down hill.
This movie regularly reminded me of the YouTube song "Glue some gears on it and call it Steampunk". The plot could have used quite a bit more polish and the ending quite a bit more-- everything. It barely achieves my 5-star "mediocre" rating. I wanted to like it a lot more than I did. Had it not been for the last 20 minutes and that ridiculous doll, I very well might have. The creators simply dropped the copper ball.
This is not so much an adaptation of the original story as a near-total departure. No spoilers, but the last 20 minutes will leave one either "I love Steampunk!" impressed, or jaw gaping at the stupidity of the plot resolution (in most cases, I believe the later). The story has been done before and better, and while the Steampunk setting was fairly interesting... the liberties taken were disappointing.
Two significant issues: the garden itself (which has to be one of the most underwhelming gardens on the face of this planet) and a prop "doll" that is ridiculous to the point of my wondering if it will fit in the shredder. Honestly, from the moment that doll is introduced the entire plot goes down hill.
This movie regularly reminded me of the YouTube song "Glue some gears on it and call it Steampunk". The plot could have used quite a bit more polish and the ending quite a bit more-- everything. It barely achieves my 5-star "mediocre" rating. I wanted to like it a lot more than I did. Had it not been for the last 20 minutes and that ridiculous doll, I very well might have. The creators simply dropped the copper ball.