May 2000 - Nr. 5
John Travolta
Touchdown in Toronto
The
day after the media showing of "Battlefield Earth" John Travolta
arrived in our fair city, which he much enjoys. It is not the first time he
has been here and when he does, the media and fans line-up to pay homage to
this modern day hero who is as charming as can be. Everyone who comes close
to him exclaims: "He is such a nice guy, soooooo friendly, and soooooo
handsome." And indeed, he is, genuinely so.
On
a gruelling schedule to promote the film Battlefield Earth for its release
on May 12th, he didn’t look at all stressed when he showed up
at Chapters on Bloor Street to sign copies of the new commemorative
paperback edition of the book by L. Ron Hubbard, whose name is reverently
mentioned together with the other greats of this genre like Robert A.
Heinlein. He had just been at City TVs Much Music for an interview where
adoring fans swamped him. He takes it all in stride and answers questions,
which he probably heard a hundred times, as though they are brand new to
him.
The
making of this movie is a dream fulfilled, a project he first eyed 20 years
ago. It was the time when the book climbed the bestseller lists in a hurry
and stayed there for over 32 weeks. Translated into 20 languages it has over
five million copies in print and won many prestigious awards.
Then there was talk of him playing Jonnie, the story’s rebel who wants to take back the earth from the aliens. Later on he set his sight on producing it himself. And that he did, together with old friend and co-conspirator Jonathan D. Krane, who he already worked with on the "Look who is Talking" films. Mr. Krane is as pleased as Mr. Travolta about the film. It was a very long process to find just the right actors and other creative forces to make this saga of the year 3000. The result is startling. Sci-Fi fans will get to see not just another flick about mankind’s heroic exploits in space, but are served up a tightly knitted story about oppression right here on earth. The forces of earth have been wiped out in only 10 minutes, the planet laid in ruins, people hunted as animals. With sheer impossible odds the situation is reversed. How? You are going to have to see the movie.
The visuals are fantastic. The environments created are spectacular. The music score is symphonic and harmonious, no Star Wars sound here! Older, more traditional elements enhance the storyline and do not overpower the action on the screen.
The
acting is superb. Each performer was hand picked. One lucky young man from
Canada was singled out to play Jonnie, the hero. It was in Vancouver, when
after literally hundreds of auditions all over the continent for this
character, the practically unknown Barry Pepper made a strong impression.
Mr. Travolta and Mr. Krane knew immediately that they had found their
Jonnie.
Forest Whitaker is co-starring as the only Psychlo with any redeeming features, a not always gentle, not too bright, obedient alien, who does know which side his bread is buttered on.
The starring role is of course John Travolta’s. He made the character of Terl, the alien’s security chief on earth, all his own. It is apparent that John likes to play the villain. He proved it in "Broken Arrow" and "Pulp Fiction". We know he can be very good at it. But in Battlefield Earth he tops himself once again. As Terl he shows shades of evil that have never before been portrayed in such multitude, with such subtle nuances. Extraordinary cunning and covertly hostile friendliness of a scheming and ruthless opportunist come to life on the screen. This is of course a stunning contrast to the real John Travolta. The fans at Chapters could not marvel enough about his friendly and patient approach to a potentially difficult and tiring situation. He had a personable word for every one when he ceaselessly signed his name into over 250 books.
And
don’t think that all fans were of the screaming teenaged variety. Many a
mature person stood quietly among the adoring youngsters, awaiting their
turn at the table. There was the screenwriter who brought his script of a
similar gengre; someone had a well-loved copy of Pulp Fiction he wanted
signed. Another middle-aged man gloried in the "Welcome back Kotter"
days and carried his special commemoration away like a trophy. And I myself
handed in a short story, dedicated to his daughter. He gracefully accepted
all the requests and offerings, obviously pleased.
For
many of the fans there was only an opportunity to get a mere glimpse of him.
Chapters cleverly let the overflow travel up the escalator and down again.
This was just enough to look at him before the stairs moved out of visual
range again. Even the staff lined up to wait for their autograph in awe.
It is not every day that such a big star comes to Toronto and is so accessible.
Sybille Forster-Rentmeister
Comments to: sfr@echoworld.com
