Now Playing: The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus

I was intrigued when I saw the trailer for The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus... how could I not be? Christopher Plummer is one of my favourite actors plus Ledger, Depp, Law and Farrell are playing the same character? Sold.

First of all, let's talk about the good stuff.
1) Sets were very cool: I felt like I was in a cross between an acid trip and a Beatles hallucination and it all sort of worked.
2) Lily Cole: she should play every pixie, fairy and Aeneid in every Hollywood production for at least ten years. She has the perfect ethereal quality, in both looks and acting style.
3) Did I mention Ledger, Depp, Law and Farrell?

The movie as a whole didn't really work. I kept feeling like I'd missed a scene or three or maybe that I had lost some dialogue or something. I mean, I watch a lot of movies and I rarely lose the plot entirely. I have no idea what's really happening (except that it's pretty) and, more importantly, why it's happening. The inter-mixing of modernity with Victorian elements was pretty neat, at first, but then quickly led to a lot of unanswered questions.

I would save this for a library rental, if you're curious. 2.5 out of 5 stars.

PS: It was a little creepy to watch Ledger playing an entirely different character, but then have glimpses of The Joker bleed through. Want an example? Watch the trailer.