Here's a quick review on Nightwish's 2012 musical fantasy film Imaginaerum.
Thomas Whitman is an ageing musician who lands in a coma after years of dementia suffering. While his mind clings on to survival and falls into a fantasy world, his estranged daughter Gem contemplates on whether to take him off his life support but learns new things about her father that she never knew from a young age.
Director Stobe Harju provides incredible cinematography throughout Imaginaerum. Anyone who has seen Nightwish's MV for The Islander might recognise the style used as Stobe was the one who directed said video. As well as the gorgeous effects, the film score is also a major plus in this viewing. Readers will know I've been a Nightwish fan for a few years now and I am always blown away with the symphonic pieces Tuomas Holopainen can create. He said the song Storytime summarises the entire Imaginaerum album and I think it also applies to Thomas Whitman's fantasy scenes.
I watched Imaginaerum with earphones on and even at low volume, the sound still managed to erupt my ears and my general surroundings. There were moments of intensity and extreme excitement such as Last Ride Of The Day playing in the background while Thomas was on a fast rollercoaster ride. You really feel like you are following the main character from start to finish.
All members of Nightwish make cameo appearances in Imaginaerum when they're performing as a band in some scenes but you might find it quite apparent who Tuomas and Anette are playing, which has lead me to believe Imaginaerum is almost like a self-insert film or as one reviewer had said an alter-ego of Tuomas's mind.
Despite this little amusement and without wanting to give away too many spoilers, I was mesmerised with Imaginaerum's ability to take me to another world. I wanted to follow Thomas on his adventure and the music created a surreal atmosphere. I wanted to go to the fairground for a few hours and escape the bitterness of reality. I did think Mr White the snow man was a creepy thing sometimes. Is this film suitable for kids? Definitely not. It's like a dark fairy tale. The snow man you see is a foul-mouthed character.
If you are expecting an award-winning film with amazing acting...then don't. Sure there are no complicated, psychological mind games or fluffy, sugary scenes that are child-friendly but if you acknowledge that this film focuses on a journey into someone's mind, his creative fantasies which he walks through in order to save his memories you're good to go.
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