Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow

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Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow

PG

2004

1h 47m

Adventure

Fantasy

Sci-Fi

Action

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

71%

Tomatometer

204 Reviews

46%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

When gigantic robots attack New York City, "Sky Captain" (Jude Law) uses his private air force to fight them off. His ex-girlfriend, reporter Polly Perkins (Gwyneth Paltrow), has been investigating the recent disappearance of prominent scientists. Suspecting a link between the global robot attacks and missing men, Sky Captain and Polly decide to work together. They fly to the Himalayas in pursuit of the mysterious Dr. Totenkopf (Laurence Olivier), the mastermind behind the robots.

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Critics Consensus

Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow is slim on plot and characterization, but the visuals more than make up for it.

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Sight & Sound

The script suffers from sloppy dialogue ("alert the amphibious squadron!") and plotting (a very vague Macguffin, risible exposition, two suspenseless countdown finales). But flimsy characterisation is the biggest problem ...

Jun 18, 2012

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Lots for both kids and adults to enjoy.

Rated: 4/5

Dec 28, 2010

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J. R. Jones

Chicago Reader

This debut feature by Kerry Conran is a triumph not only for its technical mastery but for its good taste.

Jun 8, 2007

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Leigh Paatsch

Herald Sun (Australia)

The oh-so-virtual reality of it all is purely mindless.

Rated: 2/5

Jul 23, 2020

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Jay Antani

Cinema Writer

he visuals are phenomenal, rendered with so much love and passion that each frame is a marvel just to behold.

Rated: 3/4

Sep 3, 2010

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Felix Vasquez Jr.

Cinema Crazed

It's innocent, wholesome fun with a lot of brains to it that kids and adults will love...

Apr 29, 2009

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Hughe J

Sky Captain was released in theatres in 2004 and has an impressive cast with Angelina Jolie, Giovanni Ribisi, Michael Gambon, Gyneth Paltrow, and Jude Law all making appearances. It's set in 1939 where giant robots are attacking New York and the brave Sky Captain and his band of mercenaries must defeat them from their flying carrier. It obviously pays homage to the 1930 serials and the art style combined with the look and feel of a new age digital release were quite stunning. This movie's CGI was way ahead of it's time and was really interesting to watch, unfortunately the plot and acting didn't keep pace. The movie's plot, again with that throw back feel, was slow and often dull, and actors often felt like an afterthought to all of the CGI. I liked the movie overall but this isn't going to be for everyone and while the almost steampunk CGI was cool, it wasn't enough to save the movie. Fun to watch once, but I never went back for seconds.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

09/26/25

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Daniel C. M

One of the BEST Dieselpunk works ever made. This movie is not only exceeds in it's technicalities, but it also totally delivers in being extremely fun. It has a amazing visuals and a charm like no other.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/25/25

Full Review

thiago s

Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

06/12/25

Full Review

Stephen C

Stat with this movie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $37,800,000.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/18/25

Full Review

ryan b

What a fun and visually excellent movie. This is one that mixes old school sci-fi with great visuals a strong cast and fun adventure. Not sure why the low rating, yeah plot isn't the greatest ever but it's a fun movie that the whole family can watch. If anything watching it for the pure visuals is worth it.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

05/06/25

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This Old G

Not a movie for everyone but I found it exciting, silly and fun. I love the visuals and style of this film. And I thought the cast was pretty great.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

04/22/25

Full Review

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Kerry Conran

Director

Gwyneth Paltrow

Polly Perkins

Jude Law

Joe 'Sky Captain' Sullivan

Angelina Jolie

Capt. Francesca 'Franky' Cook

Giovanni Ribisi

Dex Dearborn

Michael Gambon

Editor Morris Paley

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Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

When gigantic robots attack New York City, "Sky Captain" (Jude Law) uses his private air force to fight them off. His ex-girlfriend, reporter Polly Perkins (Gwyneth Paltrow), has been investigating the recent disappearance of prominent scientists. Suspecting a link between the global robot attacks and missing men, Sky Captain and Polly decide to work together. They fly to the Himalayas in pursuit of the mysterious Dr. Totenkopf (Laurence Olivier), the mastermind behind the robots.

Director: Kerry Conran
Producer: Jon Avnet, Sadie Frost, Jude Law, Marsha Oglesby
Screenwriter: Kerry Conran
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Brooklyn Films, Filmauro, Natural Nylon Entertainment
Rating: PG (Stylized Sci-Fi Violence)
Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Action
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 17, 2004, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 1, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $37.8M
Runtime: 1h 47m
Sound Mix: Dolby SRD, DTS, Surround
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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