REVIEW: 'Cirque du Soleil: Worlds Away'
BY NOUR HABIB World Scene Writer
Friday, December 21, 2012
“Cirque du Soleil: Worlds Away” begins when a young woman (Erica Linz) visits a small-town circus and becomes entranced by “The Aerialist,” the circus’ main attraction.
When the performer (Igor Zaripov) catches her eye, he becomes distracted and falls, at which point he is sucked into a sinkhole that leads into an alternate world filled with silent, costumed acrobats. Linz follows through the magic portal and the pair spends the rest of the movie looking for each other.
The creators of “Cirque Du Soleil: Worlds Away” have tried to frame their film as a love story. In a short, behind-the-scenes video that airs before the movie starts, Linz tells us that it is a “human tale of longing and seeking.”
But it is really neither of those things. It is, simply, a piece of art that puts on display the beauty of movement.
As acrobats perform segments from the seven Las Vegas Cirque du Soleil productions, viewers are treated to 3-D close-ups of their amazing moves, elaborate costumes and intricate makeup.
But the film’s editing means that when we speak of the beauty of its movement, we aren’t solely talking about movement of the acrobats’ bodies. The numerous angles and frequent slow motion shots mean that we see every splash of water, every fluttering piece of fabric.
Drapes are unfurled, kites hover in the air and a dress made of metal links moves like a Slinky. Things glide, ripple and float.
Some may think of the movie — directed by Andrew Adamson (“Shrek,” “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe”) and executive produced by James Cameron (“Titanic,” “Avatar”) — as a promotional piece for the live Cirque du Soleil productions. But in a way, because this movie offers so many angles and close-ups, it may make the real thing look a little dull.
To enjoy “Cirque du Soleil: Worlds Away,” those who go see it should not think of it as a movie. There is no acting, only magnificent performances.
But even if we’re being asked to think of this film more as a piece of artwork rather than a movie, a better-formed story could have added to “Cirque du Soleil: Worlds Away.”
Aside from the first couple of scenes, there is hardly any talking in the movie. And there is no explanation to the odd behavior of the acrobats who try to keep Linz and Zaripov apart. We’re not quite sure who is fighting whom, and what the battles are meant to accomplish.
Beauty can capture an audience’s attention, but stories are still can what hold it.
Find more movie reviews in Saturday's Tulsa World and at tulsaworld.com/movies.
‘Cirque du Soleil: Worlds Away’
Cast: Erica Linz, Igor Zaripov, Lutz Halbhubner
Theaters: Promenade, Starworld 20
Running time: 1 hour, 31 minutes
Rated: PG (for some dramatic images and mild sensuality)
