The root of Land of the Lost‘s charm is also the limit of its
appeal. Against the stone-faced big summer blockbusters (most
exemplified by the zero-fun Terminator Salvation), this
adaptation of the camp mid-’70s series has deliberately hokey sets and
special effects. This makes for an unassuming take on Saturday morning
TV—a light retro distraction, but never more than that. Surrounded by
dinosaurs, Will Ferrell does less mugging than ever as disgraced
scientist Rick Marshall. When his invention of a Tachyon amplifier
surprisingly works, his excitement is tampered when he finds himself in
a parallel universe contending with aliens and running from a T-rex.
Ferrell and co-stars Anna Friel and Danny McBride are lively as the dim
human trio. Their adventure is episodic—fun in short bursts, but one
may feel awkward watching it after noon and without a complimentary
bowl of Froot Loops.
This article appears in Jun 11-17, 2009.
