The Unbelievable Rise of this Epic Dieselpunk Gem

Highlights

Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow, despite its star-studded cast, initially failed to find an audience due to word-of-mouth discouragement.

The film's unique dieselpunk aesthetic distinguishes it from traditional steampunk, with its fusion of diesel engines, Art Deco design, and a dark industrialization backdrop. Despite a modest start, Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow has garnered a devoted fanbase over time, thanks to its distinct visual style.

Movies about giant robots are generally popular, but surprisingly, American audiences seem to be an exception. In 2004, Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow was released with high expectations. With a star-studded cast including Jude Law, Angelina Jolie, and Gwyneth Paltrow, it had the potential to become a cultural sensation. However, early predictions didn't quite match reality, as negative word of mouth deterred audiences from spending their money on this experimental film.

It is possible that Sky Captain was simply ahead of its time, premiering before audiences were fully receptive to a comic book-inspired cinematic experience. Its unique dieselpunk style presented a challenge to general audiences, but director Kerry Conran remained determined to bring his vision to life. Almost two decades later, this box office disappointment is gaining a following among certain fans, earning it a place in the realm of cult films like Donnie Darko or Clue.

What is Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow About?

When colossal robots launch an attack on New York City, Joe "Sky Captain" Sullivan (played by Jude Law) springs into action to seek truth and justice with his clandestine air force. Simultaneously, Polly Perkins, his former flame and a journalist for the New York Chronicle (portrayed by Gwyneth Paltrow), embarks on a quest to uncover the mystery of the missing renowned scientists. Eventually, Sky Captain and Polly cross paths again, joining forces and embarking on a global journey to locate the vanished scientists and unveil the reason behind their disappearances. Their expedition takes them from New York to Nepal and Tibet, where they expose the mastermind behind the series of attacks: Dr. Totenkopf.

True to the archetype of a deranged scientist, Dr. Totenkopf is fixated on dominion over the world. He holds the belief that the current state of the world is a failure, and humanity has reached its expiration. His ambition is to build a new world he labels "The World of Tomorrow." With a deliberate, cleverly exaggerated style, the movie aims to elicit laughter, encompassing both the acting and the plot, embracing its intentionally campy nature. However, Dr. Totenkopf underestimates the determination of Sky Captain, Polly, and their loyal team, who persist relentlessly until they triumphantly save the world.

Sky Captain's Dieselpunk Aesthetic, Explained

When an art director combines the aesthetics of Indiana Jones and Sin City, the result is Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow. Although often mistaken for steampunk, Sky Captain is actually a derivative known as dieselpunk. This subgenre incorporates the use of diesel engines and draws inspiration from the Art Deco style in its architecture and product design.

Unlike steampunk, which embraces an optimistic Victorian era, dieselpunk is rooted in a more pessimistic setting. It encompasses the merging of technology from both World Wars, highlighting the grimy and industrial aspects of society. Sky Captain exemplifies this through its portrayal of militaristic groups with fascist tendencies, reflecting the heavy influence of World War II on the genre.

Philip K. Dick's The Man in the High Castle, Robert Harris's Fatherland, and Philip Roth's The Plot Against America are examples of dieselpunk literature. They are typically set during the interwar period, which occurred between World War I and World War II. Sky Captain's director was heavily influenced by the 1930s industrial designer Norman Bel Geddes and the aesthetics of 1930s and '40s comic books.

The cinematography in the film combines live-action with animation, using a sepia tone to create a nostalgic feeling reminiscent of old photographs. The artistic choices, such as airplanes flying over a map, bring to mind Indiana Jones, while the acting style evokes the wackiness seen in old serials of the 1930s. It is also similar to the "Adventures of Captain Proton" from Star Trek: Voyager.

How Does Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow End?

In their mission to infiltrate Dr. Totenkopf's lair, Sky Captain and Polly stumble upon a holographic recording where the mad scientist reveals his sinister plans. Dr. Totenkopf had ambitions to eliminate the human race and create a superior one in his own image. However, his demise occurred two decades prior to the events of the movie. Within his lifeless body, a paper is tightly clutched, bearing the words "Forgive me." So, who is responsible for initiating the attacks?

To everyone's surprise, it is discovered that Dr. Totenkopf's robots have taken it upon themselves to carry on their creator's wicked intentions. These machines commence their plans by loading pairs of animals onto a rocket, reminiscent of Noah's Ark. Additionally, Polly possesses a pair of vials containing crucial genetic material for a new Adam and Eve, with the purpose of repopulating the Earth. Sky Captain embarks on a mission to thwart the launch of this "ark," as it would lead to the destruction of our planet through incineration. Despite his objections, Polly decides to follow him, even at the cost of being rendered unconscious.

While aboard the rocket, Polly safely evacuates all the animals using escape pods, while Sky Captain battles an assassin robot and deactivates the rocket just in time to prevent the destruction of the planet and its inhabitants. Fortunately, the robot carries a device that can disable both itself and the rocket. Once Sky Captain successfully overpowers the robot, he employs its electric weapon on the rocket and subsequently on the robot, before Polly pulls him into their own escape pod. As a journalist, Polly intends to capture a photograph of the animals parachuting down into the ocean. However, she ultimately decides to cherish the memory of her and Joe saving the world, after taking a picture. In a throwback to the classic 1930s serials, Joe playfully points out that she forgot to remove the lens cap.