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A disappointment....

68.212.233.42

In Reply to: RE: "Encounters at the End of the World:" by far, the best documentary posted by tinear on September 25, 2008 at 08:11:58

As much as I admire Herzog and his soulful body of work, I can't bring to mind a weaker example.

There's little here about the polar environment that we haven't seen before. The people are quirky but so what and who isn't when a camera is on them longer than they expect it to be. There's hardly a memorable character, event or image in the whole film. It simply lacks the director's own usual freshness and eccentricity. The physicist's explanation of a neutrino was so valley-girlish in vocabulary and articulation I really don't find him scientifically credible based on this appearance.

The mostly choral soundtrack was annoying to distraction. At times even inappropriate to the image as if it were the primary thing rather than an enhancement. As if it were trying to bring excitement or gravity or reverence artificially, telling us how to feel rather supporting or confirming the natural arousal of emotion inspired by visual majesty.

The whole thing was a puzzlement; then I saw who produced the movie and did the music - Henry Kaiser. Herzog mentions him early on as the one who introduced the film idea to him.

Henry is a nice man but - and I'm generalizing somewhat here - has used his family fortune and influence to pretty much buy his way through a zelig-life as adventurer and musician. His insights and creative expressions are ultimately mundane. I'm not saying he is deficient in accomplishment but his most notable may be one of endurance, not merit.

Herzog is great but this film is sadly diluted by Kaiser's watery, banal involvement.

I wanted to like this because I look forward always to his next film but Herzog really missed the mark here as far as I'm concerned. In a word, when compared to his other films I'm sorry to say, it's plain.

It has just occurred to me that maybe Herzog intends being deeply ironic. Perhaps he wants to show thru his lense that the deadly, exotic nature of the place, now so thoroughly populated by those who are attracted to it has become so well known that it's not so much different from the rest of the ordinary world. Maybe he edited out that polar Starbucks and McDonalds. Maybe I should rethink this.

Follow Ups:

If the sounds of the seals through the ice, the image of the lone penguin, - tinear 21:25:37 09/25/08 (4)
the stories of the strange girl traveler didn't amuse you, well, so be it.
I, and it seemed all of the people in the full theater, loved the film (sustained applause at its end).
- Amuse? .... - afilado 22:10:07 09/25/08 (3)
  ........Not one of the superlatives you earlier used. I don't recall that mild adjective being used by either of us. I don't watch Herzog for amusement.
  Maybe I was amused, now that you mention it, but I'm not sure that's the accolade this film hoped for.
  Like I said I've seen most of this before. And I daresay so have you. Really, Tin, I admire your film acumen but I don't see your thinking this is one of his better films
  Greatness warrants repeated watchings; is this on your rewatch list? Not mine. But I can easily name 10 more of Herzog's that are. Some I've seen a half dozen times.
  As to the applause of your theater mates being reason for me or anyone to automatically praise a movie........did you join in? Just because the crowd did? Was it an American crowd? LOL. A Medved crowd; a Palin crowd, most likely, save you.
  
  Edits: 09/25/08
  - Actually, I took my young daughter and wife two nights ago for - tinear 14:45:13 09/26/08 (2)
    my second viewing and enjoyed it more.
    I value your views, A-man, but this time you're just plain wrong! :-)
    - Tin, you are one of..... - afilado 16:21:59 09/26/08 (1)
      my references for film thinking. I learn a lot from you.
      
      As I said earlier, I was disappointed in "Encounters...". Of course there are elements about it I enjoyed. I was looking to being transported - as Herzog can do for me. It just didn't happen in my viewing.
      
      If it is there, I missed the full measure of his sincerity and commitment to this movie. To me, it seemed more a "project" than a revelation of his best idea at this point in time. Thus, my remarks about the unmistakable hand of Henry Kaiser.
      
      It will be interesting to know Herzog's own ruminations on this film. More important than any single film is the pleasure of watching his creative arc. He is one whose work I follow, and I forgive him his momentary errors. I can say the same for you. ;-)
      - RE: Tin, you are one of..... - tinear 20:19:05 09/26/08 (0)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Tin, you are one of..... posted by afilado on September 26, 2008 at 16:21:59
        
        Thanks!
        I also learn from your comments, as I do from other thoughtful and expressive viewers that post here.

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