Saving Mr. Banks (Movie Review)

Despite Saving Mr. Banks and The Secret Life of Walter Mitty both being PG, neither will interest young children.  Saving Mr. Banks is more of a biographical study of P. L. Travers, the author of Marry Poppins.  Tom Hanks is one of my favorite actors, but I just never connected with him as Walt Disney.  That's not to say he didn't do a good job, but I've been familiar with Walt's image and voice for so long that it felt odd to have somebody who doesn't really look or sound like him to play him.

The supporting cast was great, and Emma Thompson as P. L. Travers brought just the right kind of elitism you get from English teachers and grammarians.


There was noting unique about the cinematography, and the only graphics I saw were some falling leaves intended to guide the viewer's attention.  I think it's important to note that it appears they filmed the movie using film, which is rare.  Christopher Nolan uses film and us cinema-geeks make a big deal of it since many directors have gone either mostly or entirely in digital... I didn't notice the use of film when watching it, so that's always good.  (For a good and detailed look at the use of digital and celluloid, watch Keanu Reeve's "Side-by-Side".)


Paul Giamatti is a great actor, in my mind.  He adds a great element to this movie.

At no point in the movie does this scene appear.  I just threw this in to liven things up.

Thomas Newman is my favorite composer.  His father composed many film scores from the 40's as well and his brother, Randy, is famous for his strong Louisiana voice in his more cultural-political themed music.  Nothing compares to Shawshank Redemption or "Nemo Egg" from Finding Nemo, but the score to Saving Mr. Banks is one of his better ones.


Better than: Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2, Monster's University
Not as good as: Ender's Game, World War Z
As good as: Captain Phillips, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
Theater or DVD?: DVD