The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

[Harlowe]

I enjoyed it, more for the experience of the whole movie than any particular thing about it. Visually the way the scenes were crafted, the special effects/make-up were really outstanding, the acting was wonderful, but I wouldn't call it an exciting film. Rather it was a slow and melancholy trip. A meditation on life. My one complaint was that I didn't feel there was great chemistry between Blanchett & Pitt, in fact her character was only likable imo as a child and as a middle-aged then old woman. She seemed very selfish and narcissistic inbetween. If I had another complaint it would be a silly one like....well it sort of depressed me. The whole thing really drove home that it's scary, lonely and sucks when you die whether you go forwards or backwards in age.

With all that said, I think this one is worth seeing on the big screen. I thought one line from a reviewer put it well "a melancholic reminder of the transience of life".

It has some Gump qualities (I think it was the same screen writer or something) but BY FAR better imo. Not gimmicky and as cheesy as FG, just enough to make it a bit of a home-spun, big budget, epic fantasy.

Full disclosure: I did tear up over the last half hour a few times.

[Garrdor]

Yeah,

It was Forrest Gump Lite IMO. It was a really great movie, but I think that they totally missed out on some of the dramatic dynamics the original story had. Like Benjamin going to school with his nonexistent-in-the-film grandson to his first day of school - as a student.

Needs more interesting stuff and over the top stuff - but then it'd be Forrest Gump.

I drank like 27 Dr. Peppers that night!

[Harlowe]

I totally agree - I did love the "struck by lightening" guy in CCBB WAYYYY more than the shrimp guy from Gump.

[Garrdor]

Protip: Use the civilian Tugboat to destroy Japanese submarines.

[Alluveal]

Great movie. I too was crying like a wee lil' baby about 30 min before the end. (sigh)

And yeah, I didn't really feel a lot of chemistry between ole Brad and Cate. I think they both acted superbly, but I felt more from Benjamin's side than hers and his quiet longing was apparent. I felt a lot of mojo between Benjamin and the woman in Russia. Maybe it was because I found Cate Blanchette's character to be so young and foolish in her 20's, selfish and full of herself. I realize this is how she was supposed to be portrayed, but it made it difficult for me to really invest in her as a character during those moments. Maybe if I'd felt her heartbreak with Benjamin said he'd met a woman? Perhaps.

I thought it was a great flick, very satisfying and fulfilling. The end was difficult to watch as he grew younger and then when he passed. I'm glad they didn't linger too long in that period of his life. It was kind editing/producing.

And hell yeah. I'm gonna get me a tugboat come the next war. Frack those subs. Bastards!

[Taxious]

I'm curious as to how he gestates and gets out of the womb as a full adult.

[Alluveal]

He's a baby when he's born, but he is "aged." He has arthritis, is all wrinkly, etc. Doctor didn't know what the heck, and told them he would die. And they kept telling him, "he may die soon," and he didn't. He'd grow bigger like a baby, but he had gray hair, needed glasses, etc.

[Garrdor]

Did anyone else see the Pedobear silhouette when he and the little girl got under that table?

[Harlowe]

Did anyone else see the Pedobear silhouette when he and the little girl got under that table?

YEEEES. That creeped me out. I know he was a kid inside, but ...eww. I don't want to see gramps getting all "romantical" about little Daisy.

[Alluveal]

Ok, explain this pedobear thing to me.

[Garrdor]

Pedobear is a mythical creature that chases children around the internetz. He moves very slowly with his distinct high-knee running style. Once I'm off work, I will attempt to get a .gif example of this.

[Taxious]

The T-1000 used to give me nightmares as a kid.

[Freecare Spiritwise]

He moves very slowly with his distinct high-knee running style.

Don't be fooled. The high step style of running gives him more traction and better fuel economy so he can chase children for longer distances. I know because ... *sobs*

[Embar Angylwrath]