Okay, "The Adventures of Baron Munchausen" - I Have Feelings!

Alright, I just finished watching "The Adventures of Baron Munchausen" (the 1988 one, just to be clear!)....and wow. Just wow. I went in expecting something... I don't even know what, some kind of quirky adventure thing? But what I GOT was a whole kaleidoscope of absurdity and, honestly, a surprising amount of heart. Okay, it also had a LOT of Terry Gilliam's signature bonkers style (turns out he directed it, no wonder!), which I'm generally into, but sometimes it can be a bit much. Not here though?! I was so absorbed! Specifically, that scene on the moon? With the King of the Moon wanting to detach his head so he can leave his body to chase after Venus? What on EARTH was that?! I was laughing, but also kind of...touched? It was so bizarrely human, that frustration with commitment and wanting something just out of reach. And the whole cast?! John Neville as the Baron was AMAZING. He had this perfect blend of swagger and vulnerability that just completely sold the whole fantastical story. And Sarah Polley's Sally Salt was an absolute delight! A smart resourceful girl helping pull the old Baron out of trouble! She definitely added a grounded heart to the film that helped me not get completely lost in the Gilliams madness. There were moments where I wanted to look away, I won't lie (the giant in the belly of the fire god Vulcan was a little TOO grotesque for my taste, even though it was supposed to be comedic), but overall, it was such a beautiful, strange, and ultimately, hopeful film. Okay, the effects are DATED, like really dated, but that's part of its charm now, right?! I think what really got to me was the idea of stories and imagination being powerful enough to save us, both literally, and from the drudgery of life. Maybe it's because I'm a big sap for happy endings, but I actually teared up at the end! Sue me. I'm giving "The Adventures of Baron Munchausen" a BIG thumbs-up. It's not perfect, but it's got a soul, and sometimes, that's ALL that matters. Definitely worth a watch if you don't mind a little bit of weird, you know?