Today I spent my afternoon at the movies, if you can call them that. I had what can only be described as a hopefully forgetful afternoon viewing one of the most horrific movies that has come out this year, or maybe ever, Atlas Shrugged: Part 2.
This movie runs like a desolate highway in Texas; it’s much too long and there’s regrettably, unforgivably nothing to see.
There isn’t any discernible entertainment value in it, in fact the only real entertainment would be to chug that super-size soda you bought, illegally in New York, and see how long you can hold it before you have to break for the bathroom… and then see how long you can hide in there.
RIGHT: Actual ticket stub from my almost 2 hour torture session. (Click To Enlarge to disproportionately large size.)
The opening of the movie consists of a chase scene that involves two private jets. It is a bit long and uneventful, and is most likely where most of the production money for this movie was spent. Just to take good advantage of that, they include the same scene again at the end. This is pretty much like having root canal work done on the same tooth a second time because you just want to, it’s painful and won’t add any value.
The main plot of the story is for the heroine and resident bitch, Gabney Taggart, to get a recently discovered energy source running. In between sleeping with her married associate, and resident dick head Henry, the plot never really moves anywhere. There aren’t any big words used so many of the devoted followers of Ayn should have no trouble following the movie adaptation.
The one scene that had any actual worth occurred during her brother’s wedding reception when Gabney outed herself as a preoperative transexual. An obvious reference to the original author’s belief that she was a man trapped in a woman’s body.
The continued put down of anyone who is of a lower class, or caste as it may seem, was really overdone with repeated references to their low intelligence. Somehow I’m not sure how the tea party crowd can reconcile this treatment when they themselves would fall into that category if this movie were real life.
Thankfully the plot is so ridiculous that you can pretty much zone out while each of the characters takes a shot at the overused tag line, “Who is John Galt?”, and not miss a beat. By the end of the movie I’m not sure anyone gives a crap who he is, and that includes the director who shows him with back lighting so you can’t get a good view.
You cannot point the finger of blame at the screen writers for the complete failure of this movie. The movie after all is based on a novel written by an immigrant and atheist, who sought only to justify her own selfish lifestyle by attempting to make it acceptable. It brings the old saying to life, “if you put a monkey in front of a typewriter, eventually you will get a novel.”
I was able to get a chance to speak with 3 of the 4 other people who were at the afternoon showing. The 4th disappeared midway through the movie, I suspect he was just there trying to expose his genitals to others and moved to something with a bigger draw.
The first two were a retired couple, Tim and June, who just wanted to spend a carefree afternoon of entertainment.
“I really can’t believe that I just paid money to see that. If I had any idea it was this asinine I would have stayed home and watched Honey Boo Boo reruns,” said Tim. “It leaves me wondering if that is how conservative people really think and feel about the rest of us. God I really hope not.”
June was a little more open with her thoughts, “Seeing this on the big screen made me realize how much of my life I didn’t waste reading the actual novel. Those poor people who did read it, I will pray for them.”
The other viewer did not wish to give his name, but did want to have his opinion heard.
“That is some scary shit they just showed there. It’s not like that where I live, but if someone is thinking that way it’s a little frightening. Right now I’m wondering if I should just go home and shoot my neighbor now and get it over with before he comes to take my shit!”
I wouldn’t suggest this movie to anyone really. If anything, I would definitely discourage parents from taking their children. This is a movie with a dark view of the world and the cost of therapy has risen pretty high lately.
My overall opinion of the movie is that it will leave a stench on your mind for weeks to come. Avoid it at all costs.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Randians are welcome to post comments. They will be approved at a time when the market dictates, as this is a for-profit, non-governmental site. We have standards for comments, so keep it civil and constructive, or go back to whatever cult you clowns come from.
Before passing judgement, perhaps you should read the book to gain a more in depth understanding of the meaning of this movie. It is painfully obvious that you have not. It is even more obvious that your opinion of this movie is born of ignorance and an extremely naive and narrow view of the world.
Oh good. We corrected one error… is that honestly the best the Randians can do? So you admit that your philosophy is bankrupt. Good, good.
Chris, you are correct, I did get her name wrong. It must be my mind trying to purge any memory of it that confused me. Thanks for pointing that out and for also not finding anything else I said about this failure incorrect.
Her name is Dagney. Guess that name was too hard for YOU to follow along to. Why did you even go? This article was probably 80% finished before you even bought your soda.