Saw this film when it opened in Denver last Friday. I tend to like most of Terry Gilliam's work, and definitely wanted to see Heath's last performance, but wasn't expecting the performance to be very extensive, being as how they called in three other performers to complete his work. My first main reaction is that I thought everybody did an excellent job of making this into a movie given the overwhelming challenges, and I think Terry, the editors, Johnny, Colin, Jude and, yes, Heath surmounted the problem of Heath's untimely demise very well, plotwise. It was a completely plausible plot line throughout, although the ending seemed a little weak as if an afterthought.
I also really liked how the Tony character was introduced, the shadow under the bridge. And I liked the way the characters were developed. All of the characters were interesting and appealing to me, even the Devil!! Of the four Tonys, my favorite was, of course, Heath. He was a wonderful combination of shabby classiness. In costume, he looked better than the stills I've seen from the movie. I wasn't concerned with looking for details about Heath's health or problems, as far as I was concerned he was just as invisible inside his character as he was in the Joker or Ennis. Then, I liked Jude and Colin. Johnny seemed like he was just being a stand-in. I kept thinking that Antoine was a hobbit, did anyone else get that feeling? Of course, the special effects and fantasy sequences were eye-popping (and they keep popping up in my dreams, especially that balloon!) The plot did not reach its full potential...I could see a sequel here! and sometimes the story did get lost in the shuffle between effects, scenery and props, characters clowning around, and Pythonesque over-the-top humor. But that's what we go to these type of movies for...something completely different!
