The Dark Tower: A Murkey but Enjoyable Thrill Ride
I am a huge fan of Stephen King. The worlds that man can craft with a pen are phenomenal in many respects. Those of you who may have read the work that this film is based on may agree that The Dark Tower is a masterful work of art on the page. On the screen, though, it loses some of its luster. Which is a huge shame.
The plot is simple to follow: a young boy who everyone thinks is crazy due to his odd dreams finds evidence that it is all true. That over in another world, a powerful wizard is trying to bring about the apocalypse by destroying the tower that keeps the darkness at bay. The only one who can stop him is a powerful Gunslinger who needs the boys help to bring peace to the worlds at last. When these two worlds collide, the fate of the universe hangs in the balance.
Pretty standard fair for an action/fantasy flick. However, as I watched, I sensed that there were little nuances that I was not picking up on. Not just the points that got no explanation (and there were a few), but some of the small details that I knew those who read the story would understand while those of us who did not are left, well, in the dark. The plot has more at its roots, but you have to do your homework in order to see them.
That being said, while the plot was shrouded in a misty haze, the performances were bright and full of life. Tom Taylor, who played our young protagonist, was spirited, strong, and full of wit. He kept his cool under extraordinary pressure and was able to save himself many times, using quick thinking to destroy his foes.
Idris Elba, the mighty Gunslinger, was as amazing as I had hoped. He was tough, rugged, powerful, and a damn good shot. Watching his faith in his mission slowly be rebuilt was something to see. His final showdown with The Man in Black was something every cowboy would tip his ten galloon hat to. He made this character truly a hero worthy of the title of Gunslinger.
Matthew McConaughey as a villain is a rare occurrence, but when it happens he is able to pull off evil perfectly. His Man in Black was haunting, manipulative, and dastardly without being corny. His debonair and calm attitude left you chilled to the bone, and when he raged, it left you fearing he would set his sights on you next. He was truly a man who, like Heath Ledger’s legendary Joker, just wanted to watch the world burn.
The fight sequences were plenty here, and were filled to the brim with fantastic gunslinging skill by Elba. Each fight felt realistic, gritty, and had the audience praying for the side of good to triumph. Which it did, as it always does. The cinematography was brilliant, illustrating the rugged, scarred world of the Gunslinger, which is contrasted to the our own thriving, pulsing society. A great juxtaposition to help us see that we are not in Kansas (or in this case New York) anymore.
All in all, the film was vibrant and thrilling, with performances that helped settle you in to this dark and overwhelming world. However, the murky depths of the plot made it so you only got half the picture. Which is a huge shame. My advise is: go see this film, but read the book first. If you don’t, the fate of The Dark Tower and those around it may slip past you, and the fate of their world may not seem as important as it should.
