Zemeckis Set To Use Performance Capture for Remake of Beatles' 'Yellow Submarine'
Oh boy, more CGI!
I'm not sure which one of the follow techniques annoys me more when it comes to movies: performance capture or 3-D. Sure, I'll give both of them a chance at every turn, but both seem so pointless. I have a hard time looking at one or the other as anything more than a gimmick to distract me from other areas in which the films are lacking. Had Polar Express used traditional animation it could have been far more magical with more time spent on story and less time spent on supposedly bleeding-edge technology. Had Beowulf been made as a live-action feature instead of a lame-duck attempt at creating an edgy performance capture piece it could have been great. How will A Christmas Carol turn out on November 6? Who knows? I'm hoping for the best, but I can't say I am personally all that excited about what Zemeckis is cooking up next.
Mike Fleming at Variety reports Disney and Zemeckis are negotiating to remake Yellow Submarine, the 1968 psychedelic animated film based on the music of The Beatles. Word is they are in the midst of a complicated rights deal to acquire the use of 16 original Beatles songs for a movie Zemeckis will direct in the performance-capture 3-D digital production format he employed for this holiday season's A Christmas Carol.
I have not seen the original film and considering I am not a fan of The Beatles in any way I will have to give you Fleming's description of the plot saying the storyline took place in Pepperland, an undersea paradise protected by Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. When the band is captured by the music-hating Blue Meanies, a soldier is sent to Liverpool to fetch the Fab Four, who hop in the submarine and save the day.
An obvious key to the deal is the opportunity for Zemeckis to have access to classic Beatles tunes, from the title song to "All Together Now," "Baby You’re a Rich Man," "All You Need Is Love," "When I'm 64," "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" and "Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band."
Despite my own lack of interest in The Beatles, Fleming brings up a good point noting the upcoming release of "The Beatles: Rock Band," a title that is sure to be a big hit with fans of the "Rock Band" game, and fans of all ages I would assume. On top of that there are apparently new remastered editions of The Beatles' albums due in September, but I would think those would cater more to the already established, and massive, fanbase.
Since my interest in The Beatles and Zemeckis' performance capture is minimal, my interest in this film is basically zero, but I am sure there are many of you out there on the other side of the fence. So, speak up in the comments. Does this interest you or would you prefer they left it alone?
One thing's for certain, Zemeckis is continuing to prove his dedication to perfecting performance capture animation. James Cameron is using a similar technique for Avatar, but when I look at it all I see is CGI, but I will admit things have already come a long way since Polar Express in 2004, but I can't say I see the gains to be all that advantageous.
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