Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow MPAA Rating: PG Entertainment: +3 Content: -1/2

Set in 1938, this science-fiction/action film has the feel of old films from that era such as Orson Wells War of the Worlds or the classic The Day the Earth Stood Still. Famous scientists have mysteriously disappeared all around the world, and newspaper reporter Polly Perkins (Gwyneth Paltrow) has been sent to investigate. While following a lead, Polly hears air-raid sirens and discovers that New York City is under attack by 100-foot-tall robots and strange flying machines. She meets up with ace pilot Sky Captain (Jude Law), an old flame with whom she has a love/hate relationship. They travel around the world to discover who is responsible for the attack. Along the way, they hook up with an extraordinary woman, Franky Cook (Angelina Jolie), who has a unique relationship with Sky Captain and is a bit of a threat to Polly. Together they attempt to save the world from disaster.

The silly story is all part of the fun in this clever film. With its dated feel and array of strange mechanical devices, this is not your typical, modern-day sci-fi flick. A brief close-up of a partially decaying corps is one of some mildly frightening images. The sci-fi war violence also makes this movie unsuitable for small children. A mad man attempts to play God by destroying the world and then repopulating it again. For the most part, this is a good vs. evil story, but there is no profound moral message. There are nine occurrences of bad language, and parents are strongly cautioned and should view this film before allowing children to see it. But if not for six profane uses of God, this film would have received a positive acceptability rating from Preview.

Preview Reviewer: Alan Boyer
Distributor: Paramount