10,000 B.C. and Fake Love

So one might chance upon this blog and say, "What does 10,000 B.C. the movie have to do with fantasy?" Well, my hapless friend, you are mistaken, because 10,000 B.C. IS fantasy. For one, it has no connection to reality. Two, it is hopelessly based on wish-fulfillment. And three, the hero saves the "princess" at the end.

For those of you that aren't aware, 10,000 B.C. is Ronald E's latest creation since movies like Id4, The Day after Tommorow and Stargate. I don't care what anyone says, ID4 was a very good movie. Not only did it have cool aliens, it also upheld that epic feel that's necessary for his type of movies. And, while some people may gawk at me saying this, the speech in the middle of the movie was great. I can't tell you how many times i would go over that, memorizing the words. (Yes, girls, I'm a geek) So what, may you ask, is the outcome of 10,000 B.C. ?

This movie was about 2 minutes away from being a good movie. HORRIBLE ENDING! I mean i know the american public won't readily accept a sad ending as, say the Asian market would, but COME ON! This may be a spoiler, but to kill off the female lead at the very end of the movie then bring her back to life FOR NO REASON OTHER THAN TO HAVE A KISS AT THE END is just plain crap.

Not only is 10,000 B.C. a corney wishfullfillment movie, it's a perfect representation of what's inherantly wrong with the fantasy genra. I mean what kind of 5 year old falls in love with the first chick he sees? I'm all for the, "we belong together" type storyline, but at least set it up. This movie has us believe that these two putzes are sooo destined to be together that they fall in love with each other for no other reason than they locked eyes when they were not even in puberty yet.

Sure, this worked during the infancy stages of speculative fiction but does it really still work? I mean come on. People aren't blown away by action comics number 1's storyline at first glance (unless they're comic fans) and they won't be amazed by such a lackluster storyline such as this. L.E. Modisett, Angus Wells, J.V. Jones and Mercedes Lackey are all victums of this type of storyline.

It's as if we dont even try anymore in these love stories. I may be blind, but trashy love novels should stay in their section. Is love so powerful if it's put on a platter then shoveled into our mouths in droves? Gahhh! 2 Minutes! That's all that it would of taken for it to be a decent fantasy flick.