Comments on: James Cameron Compares Del Toro’s ‘Mountains Of Madness’ To ‘Aliens’; Script Reveals Action Heavy Creature Feature

By: Paul

Paul — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 16:46:25 +0000

Yeah that's basically my other fear. That Mountains will be shaped into another comicbook type franchise, loud and fast, with cash-in "graphic novels" and at least one sequel.

The sublime, as you put it, is certainly one of the most difficult but rewarding aspects of cinema, if captured. Unfortunately, I doubt they will take that risk.

Part of the "mind=bending cosmic horror" is in realizing the sheer scope of the story. The eons of time involved for cycles of civilization and decay, long before man discovers Antarctica. I really hope that gets through beyond "oh shit run! We woke up some strange monster!"

By: William

William — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 15:27:28 +0000

HPL intended this work–like all of his stuff–to be about horror (terror and disgust), not strictly fear (flight from imminent danger). Reducing AtMoM to a horror/action piece like Aliens would destroy the source material's otherworldy allure, that feeling of the fearful sublime that we love most in him and which seems the hardest aspect to recreate cinematicaly, not only here but in all adaptations of the sublime. Kubrick could do it; Polanski could do it. GDT may be in over his head on this one, but at least it's from the guy who did Cronos and Pan's Labyrinth and not someone like Michael Bay. W/ Cameron hanging back as producer GDT has an enormous opportunity to finally give HPL the finances needed for a realistic portrayal of his magnum opus … if he can restrain his fanboy/comics urges and concentrate on the unspoken tensions of the short novel he's bound for gloryland.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 18:16:56 +0000

I thought the novella was 95% build-up, 5% mindfuck.

Not an action-heavy piece at all, from what I've gathered. None of Lovecraft's work was.

By: rodrigoperez

rodrigoperez — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 17:59:53 +0000

@Tristan Eldritch amen about Hellboy.

By: Tristan Eldritch

Tristan Eldritch — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 17:53:57 +0000

I don't mean to be negative, but as a big Lovecraft fan, it sounds like they're basically just taking the source novella's mind-bending cosmic horror and turning it into a big dumb action film. Del Toro did something very similar with Hellboy – took away all the brooding, meloncholy, mythic aura of Mignola's comics, and produced (in The Golden Army) little more than a light-hearted, forgettable creature FX demo. Dunno, just seems like he's doing the same thing here – taking out all the good parts.

By: Paul

Paul — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 17:53:52 +0000

Dang. I understand that with a huge budget tentpole flick you gotta make it accessible, but right now this sounds like it will disappoint. This is probably the one opportunity to throw this level of resources at a Lovecraft product. I'd like to have faith in Del Toro, but I think they're aiming this the wrong way. I hope that whoever is working with the script will find some rhythm and give the picture some space for the creepy atmosphere the pervades the novella.