Archive for Musicals.Net Musicals.Net |
| Zarquen |
RobotsI'm just curious, if anyone here saw the new movie 'Robots', was anyone else reminded of this musical by the characters in the movie? |
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| RainyCrystal |
Robots and trains... yeah, i can sort of see a little bit of connection... 
~Sissi |
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| Mumsytype |
Yeh, metallic anthropomorphism. Haven't seen Robots but I'd imagine the characters are fairly standard stock as well? |
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| Megan the Phantom Girlie |
Yeah, but what did you expect? Predictable but fun. | ||
| Mandy |
Re: Robots
Shhhh... no.. just... no. Don't insult Starlight like that. |
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| RainbowJude |
Robots ---> STEX as CGI
It's funny that you mention this. I think that the only way to make Starlight Express work as a movie would be to make a CGI film adaptation of the show. Preferably by a production company like PIXAR who is able to develop remarkably fleshed-out characters from types. For me, one of the fundamental problems with Starlight Express is that we never get deep enough into the characters - even for a piece of fluffy entertainment. One should want to care about what happens to Rusty, understanding what the specific and universal stakes are when he wins or loses the race. There is an attempt here, as in Cats to place an entire mythological way of life onto the stage and, for me, I think the exploration could be a little more intensive. The narrative is never going to become more complex, but the world in which it exists can. I think that PIXAR, in particular, makes CGI films that transcend the child/parent entertainment boundaries and that their films have a mass appeal to all ages. The folks at PIXAR are also not afraid of telling their stories from the point of view of the older / adult characters in the plot and I think that Rusty's rites-of-passage / coming-of-age narrative in Starlight Express would be a perfect vehicle for them. I also think the basic framework of the child playing with his trains should be retained and possibly fleshed out slightly so that there is a reflection of the main plot in the bookend segements (which would take care of the child's experience when viewing the film - the "Nemo" sections of Finding Nemo). And I think that there should be free use of all the material created for Starlight Express in the main body of the film (the "Marlin/Dori" sections of Finding Nemo, which bring the teen/adult viewing experience into focus) so that the best songs can be used to tell the story. I think this would also offer the oppoprtunity to make use of really good singing voices for the characters, as I often feel that there are compromises made in Starlight Express - which certainly become evident on the cast albums - so that a profiecient skating cast can be assembled. Later days David |
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| Belle |
Congratulations on Necro-posting a 6-month dead thread.
I think the only way to effectively film Starlight Express would be to put cameras on a live production. |
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| RainbowJude |
Adapting (STEX) for film....
I don't see what the point of that would be, other than as a record of any given production of the show. The stage show is made to be seen live. I don't think that recording the show could effectively capture the thrill of the experiencing the show live unless, maybe, it was exclusively an IMAX release (and then there would only be a limited market). Look at how the effect of Cats was diminished in its video version. I think the only way to adapt something to a new medium is to try and envision the piece as if it was originally made for the medium in question. Later days David |
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| Roller Boy |
I purrsonally think a Stex inspired movie would be fun, if it was JUST inspired by Stex...and not trying to be Stex.
perhaps even a animated traditionally feature...? |
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| RainbowJude |
2-4-6-8 STEX should really animate
I think that animation is definitely the right medium for putting this show on film. I suggested CGI though because it has a kind of sheen to it that I think would work well with the metal of the trains and so forth. I think that traditional 2-D animation might end up looking a bit juvenile - a bit too Thomas and the Tank Engine - for my taste. Especially if it was produced by an American or British animation company. Later days David Musical Pick of the Day: Assassins by John Weidman and Stephen Sondheim. |
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| Roller Boy |
^,^ Oh yes, But i was thinking Miazaki~esk Mecha Nihon style.
Asian animation style would really KICK major butt! |
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| RainbowJude |
Rich Asian animation
It would. But Asian animation companies have their own wealth of material, drawn from their mythology and their own contemporary adily lives. I think that they'd have to be pretty deperate to take on Starlight Express as a project! Later days David Musical Pick of the Day: Assassins by John Weidman and Stephen Sondheim. |
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| Mumsytype |
Re: Rich Asian animation
Still, the Japan/Oz tour went down really well, didn't it? Starlight Express was a huge hit when it was produced in Japan. I think it'd appeal. |
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| RainbowJude |
Rich Asian animation
To the audiences, maybe. But I doubt to the filmmakers. Later days David Chicago by Fosse, Kander and Ebb. |
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| Roller Boy |
^.^ I know it's not possible, and will most likely NEVER happen.
But isn't it a neat thought? |