In an odd way I always think of this as being perhaps the most uncompromised Terry Gilliam film. It just feels like everything in the film is completely under Gilliam’s control whilst later films either feel like the budget, scope, or actors are getting away from him. It’s not my favourite Gilliam film, but I just appreciate how solid it feels.
I think a part of what makes it work is the cast. Craig Warnock as Kevin is one of the better child actors and the focus on him allows Gilliam to construct the rest of the film like a series of sketches. It means that characters like Robin Hood, Napoleon and Agamennon are allowed to flourish but never overstay their welcome. David Warner in particular is a lot of fun as Evil Incarnate bringing a weird sort of bonhomie to his nefarious at times. I kind of like him as a technology obsessed middle management type.
All in all it’s just a lot of fun, just endlessly creative and fun and I’ve even come around to the ending as something of a non-traditional Happy Ending.
The one thing I find slightly odd is Gilliam’s stance on technology and consumerism. I always find it odd when film directors take a stand against technology (like James Cameron using the GDP of a country to make the technology for Avatar and then using the film to put forth a message of reconnecting with nature) and the overly technical films of Gilliam makes the message feel a little odd.
