“Here” Drops At AFI Fest: Zemeckis’ Latest Venture Meets Mixed Reviews

Top Takeaways:

– The $80 Million film “Here” by Robert Zemeckis didn’t impress critics at the AFI Film Festival.
– Major outlets like IGN, UPI, THR, and Variety were not too pleased, with IndieWire’s reviewer slightly swaying the balance with a “B” grade.
– This single-POV movie with no camera movements sweeps across centuries, starring Tom Hanks and Robin Wright.
– It utilizes deepfake VFX for a realistic de-aging effect on its actors.
– This follows a streak of subpar response to Zemeckis’ work, with his glory days seemingly behind him.

“Here” Premieres to Lukewarm Reception

Anticipation was high as director Robert Zemeckis’ latest film, “Here”, exclusively premiered at the AFI Film Festival. Critics, however, appear divided. The big-budget project, funded to the sum of $80 million, was met with mixed reactions that ranged from indifferent to downright unimpressed.

Storytelling That Breaks Norms

Zemeckis has always ventured outside the box, and “Here” is no exception. Based on Richard McGuire’s graphic novel, the 104-minute-long film leaps across centuries. The narrative flows from past ages filled with dinosaurs to the future, tracing the stories of room inhabitants. Hollywood stars Tom Hanks and Robin Wright take center stage, as the narrative allows us to witness their characters’ lives unfold from adolescence to old age.

Intriguing Film Techniques

The film promises more than just its compelling narrative. It employs unique filming techniques and groundbreaking technology. Zemeckis crafted the entire story from a single point of view, but that’s not the most fascinating part. “Here” used deepfake VFX, prepared by effects studio Metaphysic, for realistic de-aging effects on the actors. The result? Stunning, photorealistic face swaps and de-aging effects that were applied in real-time without additional editing.

Hard Times for Zemeckis

It seems like Zemeckis has found it challenging to recapture the magic of his early work. He has produced some impressive films in the past, but the last two decades have been a roller coaster. Blockbusters like “Back to the Future,” “Forrest Gump,” and “Cast Away” made him a household name, but his recent films, such as “Pinocchio,” “The Witches,” and “Welcome to Marwen” have fallen flat.

Despite the hurdles, he did manage a few wins with “Allied,” “The Walk,” and “Flight.” Yet, it appears Zemeckis hasn’t regained consistent momentum.

Wrap Up

In spite of “Here” being a bold and ambitious project, the premiere at AFI Film Festival was anything but victorious. The mixed reviews could mean the film won’t forget an Oscar nod after all. Though spirited with its inventive narrative and VFX application, “Here” is another example of Zemeckis’ struggle to resonate with critics lately. Will this film be the turn-around he needs? We’ll see once it hits the theaters on November 15.