KSL Movie Show review: ‘Here’ tries something new and different

Editor’s note: This is an editorial piece. An editorial, like a news article, is based on fact but also shares opinions. The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author and are not associated with our newsroom.

SALT LAKE CITY — Over these many years reviewing movies, you begin to learn things about yourself that you never realized before. For example, when I watch a film, it turns out I try to figure out what’s good about it, rather than focusing purely on what’s bad.

I know these filmmakers put in a lot of work and time to accomplish these massive projects, sometimes months, sometimes years, only for some snot-nosed reviewer to pooh-pooh it after a couple of hours of mindless viewing.

It doesn’t seem fair, does it?

Thus was my experience after watching “Here,” which was so different, creative, effects-laden and heartfelt, that I was shocked upon exiting, hearing words of derision or outright hatred for what I thought was a fairly decent effort.

Oh, well.

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“Here” is a story as old as time (sorry, no, not Beauty and the Beast), but of the evolution of life on Earth from the perspective of a single plot of land, from primordial ooze, to dinosaurs, to eventually mankind and so on.

Yes, this film spans nearly four billion years — or seven days depending on who you talk to. But you’ll see the formation of it all before the movie actually begins, with indigenous people roaming a lush, green meadow in a picture frame, while various other time sequences are sporadically injected into the larger screen, but all from the perspective of a single camera.

I know that sounds daunting and for many, it is and will be, especially when it jumps back and forth in time. I was fascinated by the idea, but perhaps not completely by its execution.

The story sort of centers on Richard and Margaret (Tom Hanks and Robin Wright, you know, Forrest and Jenny?).

They play high school sweethearts, who marry, live with his parents (Paul Bettany and Kelly Reilly, you know, Marvel’s Vision and Yellowstone’s Beth?) and grow old in this lovely home we see built and inhabited by generations of family and later other occupants.

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The crossing of all these various stories intersect from the purview of this one single camera. The floating picture frames of other events slide in and out seamlessly but occupy the same space, just in a different time. 

Confusing?  Yes, it can be. 

But knowing this all comes from the mind of Robert Zemeckis, a pioneer director of gee-whiz special effects movies i.e. “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” or the “Back to the Future” trilogy or “The Polar Express,” you’ll see he loves experimental filmmaking. 

In fact, he loves it so much that lately he goes more for the look of a movie, rather than the emotional weight of the story he’s trying to tell. And that will put some people off.   

That appears to be the case with “Here.” It probably won’t win Best Picture, but the acting is first-rate, although perhaps more fitting for the stage rather than the screen. But it definitely has a shot in the special effects or editing categories. 

So, bottom line, I didn’t love this movie. But I did appreciate it trying something new and different, which I consider a plus, in a critical world that occasionally sees it as an unfortunate minus.  

“Here” (B) Rated PG-13 for thematic material, some suggestive material, brief strong language and smoking. Starring Tom Hanks, Robin Wright, Paul Bettany, Kelly Reilly and Zsa Zsa Zemeckis.  Co-written and directed by Robert Zemeckis (“Forrest Gump” “Romancing the Stone”) – filmed at the Pinewood Studios in London. Running time: 104 minutes. 

The KSL Movie Show with Andy Farnsworth and Steve Salles airs Fridays on KSL NewsRadio from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Follow the show on Facebook, and join The KSL Movie Show Club for exclusive perks by texting MOVIE to 57500. Message and data rates may apply. Text STOP to cancel. Message frequency varies.