Cast: George Clooney, Britt Robertson, Raffey Cassidy, Hugh Laurie
Genre: Fantasy/Adventure/ Mystery
Dwight's rating:  stars

The power of positive thinking! That's the overarching message of the new film "Tomorrowland".

All summer-long we will be bombarded with movies about the destruction of the world: from rogue mutant superheroes and dinosaurs, to cyborgs and Mother Nature herself. And, of course, there are the films about life after the world ends, with post-apocalyptic psychotics bent on destroying all the other humans left on the planet.

But "Tomorrowland" asks some lofty questions about what it sees as this human "obsession" with the end of the world, and why we seem so content to accept the end of the planet, all while largely absolving ourselves of doing anything about it. Those questions are answered in an intriguing package that's wrapped in a fantasy/mystery/action-adventure.

In the film, we see that whenever gifted young Casey Newton (Britt Robertson) touches a lapel pin with the letter T on it, she finds herself transported to Tomorrowland, a city filled with huge robots and sleek buildings. She is led to recruit the help of scientist Frank Walker (George Clooney), a previous visitor toTomorrowland, who years ago made a startling discovery about the future. Together, they work together to solve a mystery, while the fate of mankind hangs in the balance.

From screenwriters Damon Lindelof ("Star Trek" [2009]) and Brad Bird ("The Incredibles" and "Ratatouille"), and directed by Bird, "Tomorrowland" features the exuberant spirit often common to the works of both acclaimed gentlemen.

Fans of Lindelof's iconic TV show, "Lost" know there was a lot more to it than just the bizarre shenanigans of some folks stuck on a mysterious island following a plane crash; compelling and beautifully elaborate character studies comprised the heart of the program. Those who've given his new HBO series, "The Leftovers" a chance, are seeing much the same. That attention to character is here in "Tomorrowland".

Academy Award winner Bird has directed a beautiful looking movie that often feels like a live-action animated adventure. The action scenes are exciting, and the special effects top notch. It's a throwback to classic adventure movies, and very Steven Spielberg-esque, like his "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial" or "Super 8", any of the Indiana Jones movies, or perhaps, "Back to the Future", which Spielberg executive produced. That Spielberg-type focus on youth where the children are the heroes is indeed present.

Mind you, the adults are allowed to shine as well; we've known for a while that Clooney has a great sense of humor, but we haven't seen it in films in little while. Nor have we seen him playing an action/adventure role recently. So it's refreshing to see the fun side of Clooney, and of Hugh Laurie (TV's "House"), who's sort-of the villain.

But it's the performances of the young cast that really are the most memorable. Robertson clearly has a bright future ahead of her. One of the few standouts from the first season of TV's initially promising but now incredibly ridiculous "Under The Dome" (also Spielberg executive produced), the 25-year old is playing someone much younger here, but is quite a believable and vibrant protagonist.

The real surprise, though, is the outstanding 12-year old British actress Raffey Cassidy, who is amazingly brilliant as Athena, displaying dramatic and comic abilities well beyond her years. Raffey Cassidy - remember her name!

All is not a bed of roses, however. While watching and taking a quick glance at the four people (including myself) in the theater, I kept wondering about the probably limited audience for this movie. Part of the problem has been the vague television and film trailers, which, in my view, have not presented the film in the proper light.

The biggest problem, though, is that audiences have changed. In the 1980s or 1990s, a film like this would have been a big draw for preteens and teenagers. But today, darker themesprevail. Kids have grown accustomed to Harry Potter or "Twilight" or "The Hunger Games". And so, no wizards, vampires or dragons often equals no dice!

The messages in "Tomorrowland" may be too esoteric or cerebral for many teen and younger adult audiences, or sadly, just too optimistic and hopeful. If that doesn't lose them, the 130-minute length running time might.

The prognosis isn't much better for many older adults, who may also find it a bit schmaltzy. The ending is particularly hokey and "Captain Planet"-y. Though not awful, I can imagine lots of eye rolling.

The truth is that while audiences can now easily stomach children being killed or killing each other in "The Hunger Games", many may not able to appreciate being preached at by a movie essentially calling them out on their own negativity and their lack of action and caring about the issues plaguing the planet.

So "Tomorrowland" will either empower you or tick you off with its high concept. And ironically - especially as this is also a message expressed in the film - it may take quite a few tomorrow's before it is truly positively appreciated by movie audiences.

o Dwight Strachan is the host/producer of " Morning Blend" on Guardian Radio. He is a television producer and writer, and an avid TV history and film buff. Email dwight@nasguard.com and follow him on twitter @morningblend969.

Photo: Tomorrowland- IMDB.com

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