From Deseret News archives:
Dick Tracy
Film review
As a live-action cartoon, "Dick Tracy" is clearly reaching for "Batman" heights, and there are aspects of this movie that resemble that film. But it actually reminded me more of "Popeye," Robin Williams' first starring film, though it is certainly less cluttered.
That isn't meant as criticism. I realize "Popeye" does not have the best reputation as a film, but like "Popeye," "Dick Tracy" is presented in very broad strokes, garish colors, has dozens of characters in heavy makeup to faithfully resemble the original comic-strip persona and is loaded with campy, light, off-kilter humor.
"Dick Tracy" is most enjoyable, but it's a movie whose tone takes a little getting used to, and there are places where the audience may be so busy playing "spot the star," for the many familiar actors who make brief cameo appearances under thick masks, that it distracts from the film's strengths (much in the manner of the '60s mystery "The List of Adrian Messenger," which used a similar device).
Warren Beatty makes a fine Tracy, playing him as a low-key, old-fashioned all-American hero who believes in obeying the law, even when the law is a bit wrong-headed. That may seem an anachronism to moviegoers weaned on the "Dirty Harry" ethics of modern cop flicks, but it's also quite refreshing.
Like Michael Keaton in "Batman," Beatty plays it cool, allowing the many goofball characters around him chiefly villains to be bizarre and over-the-top. That's the only way his character could successfully be played and Beatty makes all the right moves.
Tracy is the top-notch homicide detective for a generic 'berg that looks like both Manhattan and a brighter, lighter version of "Batman's" Gotham City, with everything painted in bold primary colors.
Unlike "Batman," however, the time-frame here is more clearly defined this is definitely '30s America, comic-strip-style. (Like Chester Gould's original strip, there are no product placements; all labels are generic cigarette packages say "cigarettes," the newspaper says "Daily Paper," the police station says "Police Station," etc.)
Tracy is in love with Tess True-heart (Glenne Headly), but like every all-American hero of days gone by, he has trouble expressing himself (an amusing reverse-parody by Beatty, playing off his real-life image). Tracy is better with a gun in his hand chasing a gangster down the street than with hearts and flowers.
Recent comments
Gimme a break. Dosen't anyone want to admit that this movie
is...
Avi Green | Aug. 12, 1999 at 2:00 a.m.
Cast: Warren Beatty, Madonna, Glenne Headly, Al Pacino, Dustin Hoffman, Mandy Patinkin, Dick Van Dyke.
Find a Movie Theater
- Tiger withdraws from tourney 8:51 p.m.
- Chaffetz: Leave Afghanistan 8:45 p.m.
- Becker, Corroon urge buying local 8:43 p.m.
- Internet shoppers beware 8:42 p.m.
- Software, security issues pop up 8:40 p.m.
- Woods could learn from Letterman 8:39 p.m.
- Pressure on mortgage industry 8:38 p.m.
- Union wants oversight in slots swap 8:37 p.m.
- Dubai not putting onlookers at ease 8:36 p.m.
- Qwest CEO's case not heard 8:35 p.m.
- Hall's pain reflects self-betrayal
- Y. student vanished in China
- Max Hall issues apology
- Utes won't respond to Hall
- Hall reprimanded by MWC
- Cougs begin bowl preparations
- Boy shot following traffic stop
- Mitchell called intelligent, controlling
- Matthews passes new Jazz tests
- U. eyes bowl for redemption
- Hall mouths off about hate of Utah
898 - Cougars beat Utes in overtime
481 - Max Hall issues apology
376 - Hall reprimanded by MWC
356 - Hall's pain reflects self-betrayal
306 - Utes won't respond to Hall
246 - BYU is champion of the state
140 - Man trapped in Nutty Putty cave dies
121 - Cave to be sealed with body inside
119 - Religion in politics is tiresome
107
Having made enough dumb mistakes myself I can now let this go. Max had...
If People kept track of what they eat and report it to their Doctors then we...
I'm glad that he said something. Fans need to know what kind of danger they...
It is football folks - rivalry football - go to a ACC, SEC, PAC 10, Big 10,...
The religious people wouldn't be up in arms if religion wasn't already under...
There is only one source of redemption and it is not the Bowl Committee. The...
Ohhhh BOO HOO....you poor picked on Yewt fans! Maybe you should pack it...
Aaahhh the agony we put ourselves through, Hall's comments were thoughtless...
between Max Hall's words AFTER a heated game and M. Scalley or P. Krueger's...
Max Hall does not have to sink to the level of the Utes fans that abused his...



