It does tend to wander like a lost sheep looking for a plot in the middle and all the actors playing the central role (including Ledger) do so with such studied Deppisms that when Johnny crops up himself, you hardly notice the joins.
It is in some parts a continuation of Gilliam iconology dating right back to his days with the Pythons and at one point Parnassus looks like he has just wandered in extremely late to audition for The Fisher King.
But if you like Gilliam, you will enjoy this.
Some scenes are exactly how Yellow Submarine could look if it were made NOW and with more or less drugs involved.
Lily Cole looks lovely once you get used to the slightly strange way she looks even if the idea of just coming up to her 16th birthday makes her Godiva act a little oddball.
Tom Waits reputation survives on a split decision, but only because he was obviously told to turn up and do the same as he has done in almost every film after Paradise Alley.
Over all a fun trip but no cigar.
Your opinions may, of course, vary.
;-)
