First Trailer for Baz Luhrmann's "The Great Gatsby"


The first trailer has been released for the retelling of F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic tale, "The Great Gatsby". This version stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Carey Mulligan, Tobey Maguire, Joel Edgerton, and Isla Fisher.

Before the trailer, here's the premise:
The Great Gatsby follows would-be writer Nick Carraway (Maguire) as he leaves the Midwest and comes to New York City in the spring of 1922, an era of loosening morals, glittering jazz and bootleg kings. Chasing his own American Dream, Nick lands next door to a mysterious, party-giving millionaire, Jay Gatsby (DiCaprio), and across the bay from his cousin, Daisy (Mulligan), and her philandering, blue-blooded husband, Tom Buchanan (Edgerton). It is thus that Nick is drawn into the captivating world of the super rich, their illusions, loves and deceits. As Nick bears witness, within and without the world he inhabits, he pens a tale of impossible love, incorruptible dreams and high-octane tragedy, and holds a mirror to our own modern times and struggles.
While the story has been retold countless times, it's director Baz Luhrmann that tries to bring new life to its 1920's themes. A director known for his sometimes over-the-top flair, he might just be able to thrive with this material, presenting the lavish and exuberant lifestyles of the 1920's. Much as he did with a couple of his other films, "Romeo + Juliet" and "Moulin Rouge!", the art direction in this looks just as saturated and robust. And add in the fact that he's again working with a star-studded cast, and it seems like a recipe for success.

See for yourself after the break.



Personally, my interest in this trailer is a little lower than I expected. First, you do have to remember that this is a classic romantic drama. Don't expect something more from the storyline than that. I think the acting looks good, and I actually really do dig the style of the film. The sets look great and the visuals are very brilliant. But that being said, this trailer didn't really do much for my interests. As I state with just about every book-to-movie adaptation, I feel the need to point out that I've never read the book. I don't know how passionately people feel about the original material, but for me, other than a basic understandings for the plot, I'm pretty unfamiliar with the concepts. The actors seem like all solid choices, and I don't think I'd have a problem with any of them in these roles, I just wasn't captured. Plus the music really didn't help the film's cause either. I know it's just a trailer, but I hope they do a little better job in that department than what was presented here.

I'm intrigued by the film, but in no way do I feel I'll be going to the theater to check this one out at this point. If we see a really great trailer later in the year, or if we start to hear serious Oscar chatter for the pic, then I'll definitely be persuaded. For now though, just mild interest.

Anyway, the film is set to hit theaters Christmas Day (that's December 25th for those of you unfamiliar with the holiday) in 3D.

What do you guys think of this one?