I'm conflicted on this. It's fantastically brave to do such a dangerous stunt yourself. But what is big about this stunt is simply the staggering cost. Compare this stunt to Jackie Chan's...
I'm conflicted on this.
It's fantastically brave to do such a dangerous stunt yourself.
But what is big about this stunt is simply the staggering cost.
Compare this stunt to Jackie Chan's rotterdam slide or Buster Keaton's falling building.
Still, purely from a marketing perspective, I am excited to see this movie now, and I guess it's better to spend the money on the killer stunt than on a bunch of advertising?
I mean, it's pretty irrational, like, you could get the exact same footage with a bit of green screen and some drone footage (note: 2022 green screen looks perfect, this isn't awkward Star Wars...
I mean, it's pretty irrational, like, you could get the exact same footage with a bit of green screen and some drone footage (note: 2022 green screen looks perfect, this isn't awkward Star Wars Episode 1 green screen anymore). But... it's literally a circus show, right? They made it for the making of, this video, which is essentially a trailer/marketing so you get, for the cost of a few billboard campaigns, a bit of an event. I'm even eying the bit about their camera tech as something that's potentially interesting, like, maybe this stuff can be tested and developed here and be used in interesting other ways in the future.
I choose not to get cynical about this, it's fun! Probably one of the more interesting things that could ever come out of a major action movie production like this.
The other option is stunt actors. You get all the realism, without the need to train an actor on base jumping and huge motorcycle jumps, minus the actors face. Throw a helmet on, which frankly...
The other option is stunt actors.
You get all the realism, without the need to train an actor on base jumping and huge motorcycle jumps, minus the actors face.
Throw a helmet on, which frankly Cruise should have been wearing anyway, and who can tell the difference.
I guess this is making me realize how low key Tom Cruises stunts are. He can ride a motorcycle fast and well. But you have to ride yourself to realize how good he is to back it in without a helmet.
There was an interview done with Simon Pegg about Mission Impossible Rouge Nation, which has a very complicated driving sequence. Pegg thought a stunt driver would be driving the car but the...
There was an interview done with Simon Pegg about Mission Impossible Rouge Nation, which has a very complicated driving sequence. Pegg thought a stunt driver would be driving the car but the director said Cruise was the best stunt driver they had.
If you want to off yourself, motorcycle jumping, base jumping, copter stunting is certainly one way to go. But the amount of care everyone put into these stunts indicate those dark thoughts are...
If you want to off yourself, motorcycle jumping, base jumping, copter stunting is certainly one way to go. But the amount of care everyone put into these stunts indicate those dark thoughts are still far from his mind?
I think it goes even deeper with Cruise than just manic energy, and probably isn't being driven by any existential fear of anything either. Due to the "auditing" levels he has reached within...
I think it goes even deeper with Cruise than just manic energy, and probably isn't being driven by any existential fear of anything either. Due to the "auditing" levels he has reached within Scientology, and how "clear" of "thetans" he has supposedly become as a result, he likely genuinely believes he has physical powers and mental abilities beyond that a normal "thetan infested" human being. And in some ways he actually kinda does, because of that belief, since it allows him to still feel completely confident (however delusional or misplaces that confidence may be) when pushing himself to the extremes, and doing things that others wouldn't feel comfortable doing due to being so dangerous, or energy intensive. Brainwashing is a hell of a drug!
In a backwards sort of way, it kinda reminds me of the Samurai way of thinking of themselves as already dead in order to be set free of fear, indecisiveness, and hesitation. E.g. From the Hagakure:
If by setting one's heart right every morning and evening, one is able to live as though his body were already dead, he gains freedom in the Way. His whole life will be without blame, and he will succeed in his calling.
I'm conflicted on this.
It's fantastically brave to do such a dangerous stunt yourself.
But what is big about this stunt is simply the staggering cost.
Compare this stunt to Jackie Chan's rotterdam slide or Buster Keaton's falling building.
Still, purely from a marketing perspective, I am excited to see this movie now, and I guess it's better to spend the money on the killer stunt than on a bunch of advertising?
I've never flown a helicopter, I only know about skydiving and motorcycling.
I mean, it's pretty irrational, like, you could get the exact same footage with a bit of green screen and some drone footage (note: 2022 green screen looks perfect, this isn't awkward Star Wars Episode 1 green screen anymore). But... it's literally a circus show, right? They made it for the making of, this video, which is essentially a trailer/marketing so you get, for the cost of a few billboard campaigns, a bit of an event. I'm even eying the bit about their camera tech as something that's potentially interesting, like, maybe this stuff can be tested and developed here and be used in interesting other ways in the future.
I choose not to get cynical about this, it's fun! Probably one of the more interesting things that could ever come out of a major action movie production like this.
The other option is stunt actors.
You get all the realism, without the need to train an actor on base jumping and huge motorcycle jumps, minus the actors face.
Throw a helmet on, which frankly Cruise should have been wearing anyway, and who can tell the difference.
I guess this is making me realize how low key Tom Cruises stunts are. He can ride a motorcycle fast and well. But you have to ride yourself to realize how good he is to back it in without a helmet.
There was an interview done with Simon Pegg about Mission Impossible Rouge Nation, which has a very complicated driving sequence. Pegg thought a stunt driver would be driving the car but the director said Cruise was the best stunt driver they had.
Well of course they would tell Simon Pegg that, Simon was in the car with Tom Cruise getting scared stiff...
If you want to off yourself, motorcycle jumping, base jumping, copter stunting is certainly one way to go. But the amount of care everyone put into these stunts indicate those dark thoughts are still far from his mind?
I think it goes even deeper with Cruise than just manic energy, and probably isn't being driven by any existential fear of anything either. Due to the "auditing" levels he has reached within Scientology, and how "clear" of "thetans" he has supposedly become as a result, he likely genuinely believes he has physical powers and mental abilities beyond that a normal "thetan infested" human being. And in some ways he actually kinda does, because of that belief, since it allows him to still feel completely confident (however delusional or misplaces that confidence may be) when pushing himself to the extremes, and doing things that others wouldn't feel comfortable doing due to being so dangerous, or energy intensive. Brainwashing is a hell of a drug!
In a backwards sort of way, it kinda reminds me of the Samurai way of thinking of themselves as already dead in order to be set free of fear, indecisiveness, and hesitation. E.g. From the Hagakure: