clytamnestra
this movie had so much promise: -a famous story from dutch history -several well-known experienced dutch actors and a famous model trying her hand at acting. -nice scenery of amsterdam and nova zembla, in 3D no lessunfortunately all of that potential was wasted: -the story is messy and most of the scenes feel disjointed. if you know the story you'll notice all the parts that are missing or incorrect, if you don't know the story you'll just be confused. -the dialogue is horribly written. the acting is terrible, most off these actors have done way better in the past. and don't get me started on doutzen kroes -the 3D was of the universally-hated post-production kind (shot in 2D, then digitally converted to 3D, instead of filming with a 3d-camera). no doubt done to save money, but they needn't have bothered: good 2D looks way better than bad 3D (though i'm a big fan of GOOD 3D)and wtf did this movie start with the shot of them in a boat with a dead polar bear if that scene is nowhere in the movie? seems like this is a director who wants to include *every* scene that has been shot.and why did everybody on board apparently forget to pack their gloves and a warm hat?
reinoud87
Luckily Oerlemans dared to finally choose a serious subject for a film after his two ridiculous and degrading movies about a small village near the Meuse riverside (Maaskantje). I was very surprised to hear that Nova Zembla would be in 3D, because most 'normal' movies (not animation-films I mean) are not totally in 3D and the effect doesn't blow me away at all. The 3D effects of Nova Zembla are not impressive at all, even for my low expectations. Although the moment of the ice bear-attack is a little exiting, most shots of the bear remind me of my last visit to the Zoo when I was little and will not be remembered as breathtaking. Now let us talk about boobies, because I had an overdoses of boob in the first quarter of the film that in my view didn't add anything to the story whatsoever. Enough about the technical aspects of the film. Let us focus more on the story that Oerlemans is telling us. In primary and middle school in the Netherlands, the subject Nova Zembla as the beginning of the exploration era with the 'Golden Age' as paramount moment is a well known story. But it is a little old and dusty. Oerlemans lures both adults and children to the cinema and teaches us about the explorers of the sixteenth century in the most vivid way possible. We see the men with beards and strange clothing boarding a relatively small vessel full of faith and confidence in the success of the expedition. At the island we see them suffer but still confident that they will get back alive after the winter darkness. Apart from some individuals that do not survive, most of them do in fact what brings an kind of happy ending to the film. Thank you Reinout, for renewing this old story about those brave men.
nazgulero_0
I think the main problem here is the directing. The director does not have a lot of experience or talent, and it shows in the movie. The 'making of' segments of this movie, and accounts from the actors, paint a picture of a director who pretty much goes berserk the entire time, and has a directing style that consists mainly of yelling and screaming. The result is that all creative input from a talented cast is killed off right away. It is kind of similar to dominant, loud, and demanding parents, which inevitably produce shy and beaten down kids. Bringing out the best in your actors requires a certain amount of trust. If you ever had a boss who is not in control, and hence wants to control each and every second of your life, you know what the result is. The movie quickly becomes a drag, and I had several instances where I just wanted to walk out. I stayed because of Doutzen Kroes...the question is only: what the heck was she doing in that movie ?
bouke-223-258128
The idea is good, decors are very well thought of and very well done. Amsterdam and the scenery's are a charm to watch. (some minor mistakes, but hey, you can't have it all ;-)) Unfortunately the story is a bit thin and bleak, casting is way off Doutzen is more being a 21th century (very nice) model, than a 15th century girl, Robert is not convincing in his acting and does not fit the role at all. Derek and Victor ... well I have seen them way better before. Teun is not being convincing in his role as 'the bad guy' at all Highlights were Jan Declair as Plancius and Semmy Schilt as Claes.Technically the 3D performance was not adding much to the experience (done because they were able to??) some scenes were even disturbingly bad in 3D quality. The ship is nicely done, and is very well thought of in details.All in all, expensive movie (12,5 euro's) for 2 hours of disappointment with a few highlights in performance, story or scenery
AD
