Fantasy movies and the
film industry
As
a cinematic genre, fantasy has traditionally not
been regarded as highly as the related genre of
science fiction film. Undoubtedly, the fact that
until recently fantasy films often suffered from the
"Sword and Sandal" afflictions of inferior
production values, over-the-top acting and decidedly
poor special effects was a significant factor in
fantasy film's low regard. Even 1981's
Raiders of the
Lost Ark, which did much to improve
the genre's reputation in public as well critical
circles, was still derided in some quarters because
of its comic book-like action sequences and tongue
in cheek comedy.
Since the late 1990s, however, the genre has gained
new respectability, driven principally by the
successful adaptations of J.R.R. Tolkien's The
Lord of the Rings and J.K. Rowling's Harry
Potter series. Jackson's The Lord of the
Rings trilogy is particularly notable due to its
ambitious scope, serious tone and thematic
complexity. These pictures achieved phenomenal
commercial and critical success, and the
third
installment of the trilogy became the
first fantasy film ever to win the
Academy Award
for Best Picture.
Following the success of these ventures, Hollywood
studios have greenlighted additional big-budget
productions in the genre. These have included
successful adaptations of the first book in
C. S. Lewis'
The Chronicles
of Narnia series and the cult novel
Eragon,
as well as an upcoming adaptation of
Susan Cooper's
The Dark is
Rising.
Fantasy movies in recent years, such as 2005's
Narnia and 2006's Eragon adaptations,
have most often been released in November and
December. This is in contrast to science fiction
films, which are often released during the summer.
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