Entirely film at the Disney World and Disneyland theme parks, without the approval, of Walt Disney Company. Escape from Tomorrow has been called 'the ultimate guerrilla film'. The reasons, why is because of the highly secretly production of monochrome black and white guerrilla-style shooting, in order to avoid lighting issues. Another, is how well, the filmmakers evade attracting attention of park security. Because of the ways, this movie was created. It allows the viewers to see the familiar sights of the Disney parks in a whole new light. Because of that, I really wanted to see this movie. After all, I wasn't sure, if this movie was even allow to be shown. However, I was deeply surprise later by the fact, that Disney didn't sued the movie, for copyrights claims. I guess, Disney thought it was better off, just to ignore it and not feed its trolls for the film negative depiction. Anyways, copyright issues wasn't going to stop me, from watching this fascinating film. However, after watching the film. I doesn't think this movie works at all. Not even in the realm of avant-garde art-house level. It wasn't sophisticated or high-brow. For the most part, it's stupid and gross out imagery was nearly unwatchable. It felt like somebody drug me, with a Mickie and I was going through a bad acid trip. Because of that, it took a lot of sheer will power, to get myself to finish watching this film. Another thing, that bug me about the film is how exposition impaired, this movie is. Normally, I would love to find hidden meaning within this story, but sadly, this movie takes the fun out of it. This movie from first time writer and director Randy Moore was also a bit too confusing for my taste. I really don't get this fantasy horror film, at all. The story about unemployed father, Jim White (Roy Abramsohn), whom sanity is challenge by the over-fantasy domain in which, his family wants to spent time in; just didn't work with me. Without spoiling the movie, too much, I have to say, the film's story and imagery remind me of a mix between 1999's Sam Mendes's American Beauty & David Lynch 1977's Eraser Head with elements of Disney magic. It sounds interesting, but it's badly executed. Trust me! First off, the movie has horrible pacing. Lots of awkward long shots of nothing much going on. Half of the film is really, really boring. Then, there is problems with filming locations. Since, reshoots were nearly impossible. Some scenes were shot against a very obvious green screen background. Its looks so fake. You can really tell, which scenes were filmed in locations, and which were not. Another problem, is its CGI, which wasn't used right. However, the biggest jarring production issue that I have against the film is how content proprietary to Disney, such as the lyrics to "It's a Small World" and footage from Soarin', was removed from the film to avoid copyright infringement, yet others, are kept in. I guess, the filmmakers weren't as brave as they make themselves, out to be. Look, I'm willing to look pass the novelty, to see the truth about Disney, but the film wasn't presenting anything that seem real. Its 'so call' facts like the emu myth and Disney prostitutes, are just as fake as the castles in which, this story takes place at. I get that, this is a fantasy version of the real-life park, but if you going to make Disney seem like an evil company, you should show more realistic tones of that. Not only is the whole message of Disney being an evil company kinda unclear and too murky, but the idea of shaming 'escapism' is also a bit too bitter and joyless. I get that, the word 'escapism' often carries a negative connotation, suggesting that escapists are unhappy, with an inability or unwillingness to connect meaningfully with the realism world, but that idea is taken out of proper context by this first time director, Randy Moore. Not everybody that goes to Disneyland or go see a movie is depressed. Some of them, are just looking for fun and entertainment. However, you wouldn't know it, by looking at this film. All of the main characters, here are just miserable, hateful, and unlikeable. Don't get me wrong, all the actors in this film are fine, but being an escapism movie, doesn't mean, that all of the characters have to be jerks. It just means, that, characters have to be likable enough to connect with the audience. So that their spirits can be uplifting, when we see a character, be able to conquer the problems of his own world. Sadly, you don't see that in this film. Looking for a means of entertainment isn't supposed to be bad-thing, but this movie acts like it does. It's like, telling us, that we should be in shame for liking uplifting epic blockbuster movies and should act more realistic, gritty and downtrodden. I really have to disagree with that mindset. The reason, why, is because movies like this, is all about suffering. It's not a healthy escape for the viewer. If anything, this cruel and spiteful movie, can only make the viewer, colder about their own world. Unpleasant media make unpleasant people. I glad, there are film directors like director Preston Sturges that shows that. In his film, 1941's Sullivan's Travels, he points out, how 'vain and self-indulgent', films like Escape from Tomorrow are. Most people go to the movie for healthy distraction, not to be told, how depressing, their world is. Overall: I felt more disappointed by this weird film, than honestly downright hating it. For the most part, I was all eyes and ears for this surrealism film, coming in, but sadly, after finishing this movie. I can clearly say, it was a very below average film. I can't recommended watching at all, unless you want to be upset.
Escape from Tomorrow
2013
Action / Comedy / Drama / Fantasy / Horror / Sci-Fi / Thriller
Escape from Tomorrow
2013
Action / Comedy / Drama / Fantasy / Horror / Sci-Fi / Thriller
Plot summary
In a world of fake castles and anthropomorphic rodents, an epic battle begins when an unemployed father's sanity is challenged by a chance encounter with two underage girls on holiday.
Uploaded by: OTTO
April 30, 2014 at 09:32 PM
Director
Tech specs
720p.BLU 1080p.BLUMovie Reviews
It's time to escape reality. Escape from Tomorrow somewhat does that. Just not in a good way.
If watching a dad who is a drunk pervert and a mom who is an over-controlling lady seems fun, then this film is for you.
"Escape From Tomorrow" is a black & white film that was filmed guerilla style, in part, at Disneyland and Disney World. In other words, the filmmakers and cast went to the parks and filmed surreptitiously. Then, weaving in some scenes that were not made at the parks, they made a movie and released it.
The film is about a rather awful family. The little boy is a brat, the mother is a joyless and overly controlling women and the husband is a disgusting pervert who spends all his time thinking about sex and drinking. Does this sound like a pleasant recipe for a film? Good grief, no. During all this, the guy seems to slowly lose his mind and ultimately all sorts of weird, paranoid stuff begins happening at the happiest place on Earth.
I think the IDEA of this film is very good. I love the notion of tweaking the nose of a mega-corporation like Disney. However, had the husband been likable and not such a jerk, I really think it would have worked much, much better. Plus, some of the film is just ultra- disgusting---such as dad with explosive diarrhea on the toilet and the like! Seeing a likable schmo lose his mind among the chaos, heat and crowding at Disney is pretty funny--but this film was difficult to love because of the characters (especially but not including dad) and icky story elements. So, overall, it has an interesting idea and the plot is occasionally interesting- -but it's also fatally flawed and probably would not be appreciated by the casual viewer.
By the way, if you are nuts about Disney World, you can tell that much wasn't filmed there and that it must have been filmed and assembled well before 2013, as many of the rides changed well before this release date. This isn't really important--just pointing out that many Floridians with yearly passes will probably notice all this.
Also, why was the film made in black & white? It made me wonder...