The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
Dir: Ben Stiller
2013
****
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty is the fifth film Ben Stiller has directed and is by far his best to date. His version of The Secret Life of Walter Mitty is a million miles away from the original Danny Kaye version and is all the better for it. I do love Danny Kaye and his 1947 film (and it is obvious that Stiller does too) but the overall story is spoiled somewhat by unnecessary song and dance routines and physical comedy that I'm afraid isn't all that funny. however, the 2013 version is not perfect either. Some of the 'Daydreams' are better than others, some probably shouldn't have made the final cut at all but most are dazzling and well worth making a film about. The overall message is a little stretched and overcooked at times but the final conclusion more than makes up for this. Visually it is stunning, even when it's not a CGI dream the shots are beautifully filtered and well composed. I have a few niggles about it, the over obvious corporate bad guys, the beard hate and mixed messages when it comes to measuring one's success but it's everything a big movie of this nature should be, thoroughly entertaining.