Movies that best establish a "fantasy" setting
01-24-13, 11:22 PM
#1
DVD Talk Hero
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Movies that best establish a "fantasy" setting
Using the term fantasy loosely - doesn't have to contain Hobbits or Sith lords.
Was re-watching The City of Lost Children earlier tonight and couldn't help but think how well it establishes its world. The atmosphere, the look and feel of the whole thing, everything just comes off as living and breathing. I know when I first saw the trailer for Dark City I almost thought it was a remake of CoLC, these are now two of my favorite movies.
So what other movies have truly well established settings? (I think I've made a similar thread in the past but yeaaa.. seems like a good idea everytime the movie is on, plus this is one the forum where I'm pretty sure everybody has actually seen the movie.)
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/u9k9PDg4ja8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> <iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/QrGSLMl1XFs" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Was re-watching The City of Lost Children earlier tonight and couldn't help but think how well it establishes its world. The atmosphere, the look and feel of the whole thing, everything just comes off as living and breathing. I know when I first saw the trailer for Dark City I almost thought it was a remake of CoLC, these are now two of my favorite movies.
So what other movies have truly well established settings? (I think I've made a similar thread in the past but yeaaa.. seems like a good idea everytime the movie is on, plus this is one the forum where I'm pretty sure everybody has actually seen the movie.)
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/u9k9PDg4ja8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> <iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/QrGSLMl1XFs" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Last edited by RichC2; 01-24-13 at 11:28 PM.
01-25-13, 08:00 AM
#7
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Movies that best establish a "fantasy" setting
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/t6816MUx9E0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
01-25-13, 09:33 AM
#8
Re: Movies that best establish a "fantasy" setting
Hong Kong movies used to do this well all the time, esp. Shaw Bros. fantasies like BUDDHA'S PALM, DESCENDANT OF THE SUN (the Superman story transplanted to Ancient China), TALES OF THE FLYING FOX, HOLY FLAME OF THE MARTIAL WORLD and the like. Even the 1990s wire-fu fantasies like SWORDSMAN III: THE EAST IS RED, THE MAGIC CRANE and KUNG FU CULT MASTER did a great job of establishing their worlds right at the start so you would accept people flying around and fighting in the air like they do. This is why I had a problem with CROUCHING TIGER HIDDEN DRAGON. It started out as a naturalistic period drama and then lurched into fantasy for the fight scenes in a jarring way that took me out of the movie.
01-25-13, 11:33 AM
#10
Re: Movies that best establish a "fantasy" setting
Pitch Black (but not Chronicles). I thought they did a great job for the alien planet with multiple suns and different atmosphere to breathe.
01-25-13, 11:35 AM
#11
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Movies that best establish a "fantasy" setting
I thought Reign of Fire actually did this pretty well. Not just barren landscapes, but ones that looked like they had been cooked.
01-25-13, 11:56 AM
#13
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Re: Movies that best establish a "fantasy" setting
For a true "textbook definition" fantasy world you can't beat The Dark Crystal
But I prefer a fantastical version of more realistic or practical worlds:
Brazil
Burton's Batman (which borrows heavily from Brazil)
Black Narcisis
And of course Blade Runner
But I prefer a fantastical version of more realistic or practical worlds:
Brazil
Burton's Batman (which borrows heavily from Brazil)
Black Narcisis
And of course Blade Runner
Last edited by Mabuse; 01-25-13 at 12:21 PM.
01-25-13, 12:36 PM
#14
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Re: Movies that best establish a "fantasy" setting
First one that came to mind is 'Dragonslayer'. Man that is an excellent film.
Tarkovsky excelled at this - 'Stalker' and 'Solaris'.
Jackson's 'Lord of the Rings' Trilogy
'Blade Runner'
The 'Mad Max' films did a great job of it.
Tarkovsky excelled at this - 'Stalker' and 'Solaris'.
Jackson's 'Lord of the Rings' Trilogy
'Blade Runner'
The 'Mad Max' films did a great job of it.
01-25-13, 05:25 PM
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01-25-13, 07:37 PM
#18
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Re: Movies that best establish a "fantasy" setting
I do know Miyazaki's movies. Spirited Away is one of my favourite movies. It's not fantasy. You do know what fantasy is, right ? Knights, dragons, wizards, kings and queens, dwarves, elves, etc. Like Dragonslayer, Merlin, Black Cauldron, Excalibur, and Willow.
01-25-13, 07:50 PM
#20
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Movies that best establish a "fantasy" setting
You do know what fantasy is, right ? Knights, dragons, wizards, kings and queens, dwarves, elves, etc. Like Dragonslayer, Merlin, Black Cauldron, Excalibur, and Willow.
And by the way, one of the main characters in Spirited Away is a dragon.
01-25-13, 09:49 PM
#24
Senior Member
Re: Movies that best establish a "fantasy" setting
Anything from Miyazaki, as has already been stated. In a mere ten minute he can introduce an incredible, scary, exciting, menacing, and fantastic world to viewers eyes.
Legend
Labyrinth
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
Legend
Labyrinth
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory