History Creator / RobertZemeckis

Academy Award-winning director of the ''Franchise/BackToTheFuture'' trilogy, ''Film/WhoFramedRogerRabbit'' and ''Film/ForrestGump'', '''Robert Zemeckis''' started off as a protégé of Creator/StevenSpielberg in TheSeventies. Zemeckis and his writing partner Bob Gale (they were collectively known as The Bobs) wrote several cult films which flopped during this time, including ''Film/IWannaHoldYourHand'' (directed by Zemeckis), ''[[Film/NineteenFortyOne 1941]]'' (directed by Spielberg) and ''Used Cars'' (directed by Zemeckis).

At the TurnOfTheMillennium, Zemeckis made several animated films with [[MotionCapture performance capture]] technology, giving us ''WesternAnimation/ThePolarExpress'', ''Film/{{Beowulf 2007}}'' and ''Film/AChristmasCarol2009''. Responses to these films are [[LoveItOrHateIt mixed]], mostly due to how [[UncannyValley disturbing they all looked]], and this phase of his career is now considered his DorkAge. After the [[BoxOfficeBomb box office cataclysm]] that was ''Film/MarsNeedsMoms'' [[CreatorKiller caused his studio to shut down]], he then had to head back to live-action cinema. In 2012 he released ''Film/{{Flight}}'' starring DenzelWashington, his first live-action movie in 12 years (and his first R-rated movie as a director since 1980's ''Used Cars'' - The Bobs' script ''The Looters'', written in the pre-[=McFly=] era, was made by Creator/WalterHill Hill in 1992 as ''Trespass''). It was a critical and commercial success, and helped usher in a CareerResurrection.

At the TurnOfTheMillennium, Zemeckis made several animated films with [[MotionCapture performance capture]] technology, giving us ''ThePolarExpress'', ''Film/{{Beowulf}}'' and ''Film/AChristmasCarol2009''. Responses to these films are [[LoveItOrHateIt mixed]], mostly due to how [[UncannyValley disturbing they all looked]], and this phase of his career is now considered his DorkAge. After the [[BoxOfficeBomb box office cataclysm]] that was ''Film/MarsNeedsMoms'' [[CreatorKiller caused his studio to shut down]], he then had to head back to live-action cinema. In 2012 he released ''Film/{{Flight}}'' starring DenzelWashington, his first live-action movie in 12 years (and his first R-rated movie as a director since 1980's ''Used Cars'' - The Bobs' script ''The Looters'', written in the pre-[=McFly=] era, was made by Creator/WalterHill Hill in 1992 as ''Trespass''). It was a critical and commercial success, and helped usher in a CareerResurrection.

His next film ''The Walk'' starring Creator/JosephGordonLevitt and based off the famous 1974 Twin Towers tightrope walk that was detailed in ''Film/ManOnWire'' is due for release in 2015.

At the TurnOfTheMillennium, Zemeckis made several animated films with [[MotionCapture performance capture]] technology, giving us ''ThePolarExpress'', ''Film/{{Beowulf}}'' and ''Film/AChristmasCarol2009''. Responses to these films are [[LoveItOrHateIt mixed]], mostly due to how [[UncannyValley disturbing they all looked]], and this phase of his career is now considered his DorkAge. After the [[BoxOfficeBomb box office cataclysm]] that was ''Film/MarsNeedsMoms'' [[CreatorKiller caused his studio to shut down]], he then had to head back to live-action cinema. In 2012 he released ''Film/{{Flight}}'' starring DenzelWashington, his first live-action movie in 12 years (and his first R-rated movie as a director since 1980's ''Used Cars'' - The Bobs' script ''The Looters'', written in the pre-[=McFly=] era, was made by Walter Hill in 1992 as ''Trespass''). It was a critical and commercial success, and helped usher in a CareerResurrection.

Academy Award-winning director of the ''Franchise/BackToTheFuture'' trilogy, ''Film/WhoFramedRogerRabbit'' and ''Film/ForrestGump'', '''Robert Zemeckis''' started off as a protégé of Creator/StevenSpielberg in TheSeventies. Zemeckis and his writing partner Bob Gale (they were collectively known as The Bobs) wrote several cult films which flopped during this time, including ''Film/IWannaHoldYourHand'' (directed by Zemeckis), ''[[Film/NineteenFortyOne 1941]]'' (directed by Spielberg) and ''Film/UsedCars'' (directed by Zemeckis).

** Also did this with ''Film/BackToTheFutureII'', where Michael J. Fox played Marty [=McFly=] and numerous members of his family.

Academy Award-winning director of the ''Film/BackToTheFuture'' trilogy, ''Film/WhoFramedRogerRabbit'' and ''Film/ForrestGump'', '''Robert Zemeckis''' started off as a protégé of Creator/StevenSpielberg in TheSeventies. Zemeckis and his writing partner Bob Gale (they were collectively known as The Bobs) wrote several cult films which flopped during this time, including ''Film/IWannaHoldYourHand'' (directed by Zemeckis), ''[[NineteenFortyOne 1941]]'' (directed by Spielberg) and ''Film/UsedCars'' (directed by Zemeckis).

Zemeckis first hit it big in TheEighties directing the light-hearted adventure film ''RomancingTheStone''. He followed it up with ''Back To The Future'' (which The Bobs had written a few years before, but couldn't get made) and ''Roger Rabbit''. At the end of the decade, The Bobs made a couple ''Back To The Future'' sequels [[ExecutiveMeddling to please Universal's executives]]. Starting in TheNineties, Zemeckis went on to direct more "serious" fare such as ''Forrest Gump'', ''Film/{{Contact}}'' and ''CastAway''.

Academy Award-winning director of the ''Film/BackToTheFuture'' trilogy, ''Film/WhoFramedRogerRabbit'' and ''Film/ForrestGump'', '''Robert Zemeckis''' started off as a protégé of Creator/StevenSpielberg in TheSeventies. Zemeckis and his writing partner Bob Gale (they were collectively known as The Bobs) wrote several cult films which flopped during this time, including ''Film/IWannaHoldYourHand'' (directed by Zemeckis), ''[[NineteenFortyOne 1941]]'' (directed by Spielberg) and ''Used Cars'' (directed by Zemeckis).

Academy Award-winning director of the ''Film/BackToTheFuture'' trilogy, ''Film/WhoFramedRogerRabbit'' and ''Film/ForrestGump'', '''Robert Zemeckis''' started off as a protégé of Creator/StevenSpielberg in TheSeventies. Zemeckis and his writing partner Bob Gale (they were collectively known as The Bobs) wrote several cult films which flopped during this time, including ''I Wanna Hold Your Hand'' (directed by Zemeckis), ''[[NineteenFortyOne 1941]]'' (directed by Spielberg) and ''Used Cars'' (directed by Zemeckis).

At TheTurnOfTheMillennium, Zemeckis made several animated films with [[MotionCapture performance capture]] technology, giving us ''ThePolarExpress'', ''Film/{{Beowulf}}'' and ''Film/AChristmasCarol2009''. Responses to these films are [[LoveItOrHateIt mixed]], mostly due to how [[UncannyValley disturbing they all looked]], and this phase of his career is now considered his DorkAge. After the [[BoxOfficeBomb box office cataclysm]] that was ''Film/MarsNeedsMoms'' [[CreatorKiller caused his studio to shut down]], he then had to head back to live-action cinema. In 2012 he released ''Film/{{Flight}}'' starring DenzelWashington, his first live-action movie in 12 years (and his first R-rated movie as a director since 1980's ''Used Cars'' - The Bobs' script ''The Looters'', written in the pre-[=McFly=] era, was made by Walter Hill in 1992 as ''Trespass''). It was a critical and commercial success, and helped usher in a CareerResurrection.

Nowadays, Zemeckis has taken to using [=CGI=] with [[MotionCapture performance capture]] technology, giving us ''ThePolarExpress'', ''Film/{{Beowulf}}'' and ''Film/AChristmasCarol2009''. While these films were generally well received and made just enough money to justify they keep getting made, they were all best known for being perpetually trapped in the UncannyValley. After the [[BoxOfficeBomb box office cataclysm]] that was ''Film/MarsNeedsMoms'' [[CreatorKiller caused his studio to shut down]], he then had to head back to live-action cinema. In 2012 he released ''Film/{{Flight}}'' starring DenzelWashington, his first live-action movie in 12 years (and his first R-rated movie as a director since 1980's ''Used Cars'' - The Bobs' script ''The Looters'', written in the pre-[=McFly=] era, was made by Walter Hill in 1992 as ''Trespass''). It was a critical and commercial success, and helped usher in a CareerResurrection.

Academy Award-winning director of the ''Film/BackToTheFuture'' trilogy, ''Film/WhoFramedRogerRabbit'' and ''Film/ForrestGump'', Robert Zemeckis started off as a protégé of Creator/StevenSpielberg in TheSeventies. Zemeckis and his writing partner Bob Gale (they were collectively known as The Bobs) wrote several cult films which flopped during this time, including ''I Wanna Hold Your Hand'' (directed by Zemeckis), ''[[NineteenFortyOne 1941]]'' (directed by Spielberg) and ''Used Cars'' (directed by Zemeckis).

Nowadays, Zemeckis has taken to using [=CGI=] with [[MotionCapture performance capture]] technology, giving us ''ThePolarExpress'', ''Film/{{Beowulf}}'' and ''Film/AChristmasCarol2009''. While these films were generally well received and made just enough money to justify they keep getting made, they were all best known for being perpetually trapped in the UncannyValley. After the [[BoxOfficeBomb box office cataclysm]] that was ''Film/MarsNeedsMoms'' [[CreatorKiller caused his studio to shut down]], he then had to head back to live-action cinema. In 2012 he released ''Film/{{Flight}}'' starring DenzelWashington, his first live-action movie in 12 years (and his first R-rated movie as a director since 1980's ''Used Cars'' - The Bobs' script ''The Looters'', written in the pre-[=McFly=] era, was made by Walter Hill in 1992 as ''Trespass''). It was a critical and commercial success, and helped usher in a CareerResurrection. His next film ''The Walk'' starring Creator/JosephGordonLevitt and based off the famous 1974 Twin Towers tightrope walk that was detailed in ''Film/ManOnWire'' is due for release in 2015.

** LoadsAndLoadsOfRoles: The two Christmas-set motion capture films do this with their principal actors.
** UncannyFamilyResemblance: The ''Back To The Future'' sequels and ''Forrest Gump''.

* MotionCapture: From about 2004-2011, Zemeckis made nothing but Motion Capture movies which always proved to be commercial successes in spite of falling into the UncannyValley. After the abysmal failure of ''WesternAnimation/MarsNeedsMoms'' (Which he didn't direct, yet had his production company behind it.) helped shut down his studio, he's back to making live action movies. {{YMMV}} on whether this was a DorkAge for him or not.

* StarringSpecialEffects: ''MANY'' of his films, even the live-action ones, are quite the pioneers in special effects advancement.

Nowadays, Zemeckis has taken to using [=CGI=] with [[MotionCapture performance capture]] technology, giving us ''ThePolarExpress'', ''Film/{{Beowulf}}'' and ''Film/AChristmasCarol2009''. While these films were generally well received and made just enough money to justify they keep getting made, they were all best known for being perpetually trapped in the UncannyValley. After the [[BoxOfficeBomb box office cataclysm]] that was ''Film/MarsNeedsMoms'' [[CreatorKiller caused his studio to shut down]], he then had to head back to live-action cinema. In 2012 he released ''Film/{{Flight}}'' starring DenzelWashington, his first live-action movie in 12 years (and his first R-rated movie as a director since 1980's ''Used Cars'' - The Bobs' script ''The Looters'', written in the pre-[=McFly=] era, was made by Walter Hill in 1992 as ''Trespass''). It was a critical and commercial success, and helped usher in a CareerResurrection. His next film ''The Walk'' starring Creator/JosephGordonLevitt and based off the famous tightrope walk between the Twin Towers that was detailed in ''Film/ManOnWire'' is due for release in 2015.

* MotionCapture: From about 2004-2011, Zemeckis made nothing but Motion Capture movies which always proved to be commercial successes in spite of falling into the UncannyValley. After the abysmal failure of ''WesternAnimation/MarsNeedsMoms'' (Which he didn't direct, yet had his production company behind it.) helped shut down his studio, he's back to making live action movies. YMMV on whether this was a DorkAge for him or not.

* TrailersAlwaysSpoil: Intentionally does this with his films (the one for ''Cast Away'' gives away [[spoiler: that he does get off the island]] while the one for ''What Lies Beneath'' [[spoiler: gives away Harrison Ford as the bad guy, which renders the first 90 minutes of the heroine trying to figure it out suspense-less.]]) He says that the market research shows that people want to know everything before going in.

Nowadays, Zemeckis has taken to using [=CGI=] with [[MotionCapture performance capture]] technology, giving us ''ThePolarExpress'', ''Film/{{Beowulf}}'' and ''Film/AChristmasCarol2009''. While these films were generally well received and made just enough money to justify they keep getting made, they were all best known for being perpetually trapped in the UncannyValley. After the [[BoxOfficeBomb box office cataclysm]] that was ''Film/MarsNeedsMoms'' [[CreatorKiller caused his studio to shut down]], he then had to head back to live-action cinema. In 2012 he released ''Film/{{Flight}}'' starring DenzelWashington, his first live-action movie in 12 years (and his first R-rated movie as a director since 1980's ''Used Cars'' - The Bobs' script ''The Looters'', written in the pre-[=McFly=] era, was made by Walter Hill in 1992 as ''Trespass''). It was a critical and commercial success, and helped usher in a CareerResurrection. His next film ''The Walk'' starring Creator/JosephGordonLevitt and based off the famous tightrope walk between the Twin Towers that inspired ''Film/ManOnWire'' is due for release in 2015.

* UncannyValley: The most common criticism lugged at his MotionCapture movies.

Nowadays, Zemeckis has taken to using [=CGI=] with [[MotionCapture performance capture]] technology, giving us ''ThePolarExpress'', ''Film/{{Beowulf}}'' and ''Film/AChristmasCarol2009''. While these films were generally well received and made just enough money to justify they keep getting made, they were all best known for being trapped in the UncannyValley. After the box office cataclysm that was ''Film/MarsNeedsMoms'' caused his studio to shut down, he then had to head back to live-action cinema. In 2012 he released ''Film/{{Flight}}'' starring DenzelWashington, his first live-action movie in 12 years (and his first R-rated movie as a director since 1980's ''Used Cars'' - The Bobs' script ''The Looters'', written in the pre-[=McFly=] era, was made by Walter Hill in 1992 as ''Trespass'').

Common tropes in his films:

* MotionCapture

Nowadays, Zemeckis has taken to using [=CGI=] with [[MotionCapture performance capture]] technology, giving us ''ThePolarExpress'', ''Film/{{Beowulf}}'' and ''Film/AChristmasCarol2009''. While these films were generally well received and made just enough money to justify they keep getting made, they were all best known for being trapped in the UncannyValley. After the box office cataclysm that was ''Film/MarsNeedsMoms'' caused his studio to shut down, he then had to head back to live-action cinema. In 2012 he released ''Film/{{Flight}}'' starring DenzelWashington, his first live-action movie in 12 years (and his first R-rated movie as a director since 1980's ''Used Carss'' - The Bobs' script ''The Looters'', written in the pre-[=McFly=] era, was made by Walter Hill in 1992 as ''Trespass'').

Nowadays, Zemeckis has taken to using [=CGI=] with [[MotionCapture performance capture]] technology, giving us ''ThePolarExpress'', ''Film/{{Beowulf}}'' and ''Film/AChristmasCarol2009''. While these films were generally well received and made just enough money to justify they keep getting made, they were all best known for being trapped in the UncannyValley. After the box office cataclysm that was ''Film/MarsNeedsMoms'' caused his studio to shut down, he then had to head back to live-action cinema. In 2012 he released ''Film/{{Flight}}'' starring DenzelWashington, his first live-action movie in 12 years.

** LoadsAndLoadsOfRoles (The two Christmas-set motion capture films do this with their principal actors.)
** UncannyFamilyResemblance (The ''Back To The Future'' sequels and ''Forrest Gump''.)

* PlayingAgainstType (Often casts actors this way.)

Academy Award-winning director of the ''Film/BackToTheFuture'' trilogy, ''Film/WhoFramedRogerRabbit'' and ''ForrestGump'', Robert Zemeckis started off as a protégé of Creator/StevenSpielberg in TheSeventies. Zemeckis and his writing partner Bob Gale (they were collectively known as The Bobs) wrote several cult films which flopped during this time, including ''I Wanna Hold Your Hand'' (directed by Zemeckis), ''[[NineteenFortyOne 1941]]'' (directed by Spielberg) and ''Used Cars'' (directed by Zemeckis).

Nowadays, Zemeckis has taken to using [=CGI=] with [[MotionCapture performance capture]] technology, giving us ''ThePolarExpress'', ''Film/{{Beowulf}}'' and ''Film/AChristmasCarol2009''. While these films were generally well received and made just enough money to justify they keep getting made, they were all best known for being trapped in the UncannyValley. After the box office cataclysm that was ''Film/MarsNeedsMoms'' caused his studio to shut down, he then had to head back to live-action cinema. 2012 will see the release of ''Film/{{Flight}}'' starring DenzelWashington, his first live-action movie in 12 years.

http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/robert-zemeckis.jpg

Nowadays, Zemeckis has taken to using [=CGI=] with [[MotionCapture performance capture]] technology, giving us ''ThePolarExpress'', ''Film/{{Beowulf}}'' and ''Film/AChristmasCarol''. While these films were generally well received and made just enough money to justify they keep getting made, they were all best known for being trapped in the UncannyValley. After the box office cataclysm that was ''MarsNeedsMoms'' caused his studio to shut down, he then had to head back to live-action cinema. 2012 will see the release of ''Film/{{Flight}}'' starring DenzelWashington, his first live-action movie in 12 years.

Nowadays, Zemeckis has taken to using [=CGI=] with [[MotionCapture performance capture]] technology, giving us ''ThePolarExpress'', ''Film/{{Beowulf}}'' and ''AChristmasCarol''. While these films were generally well received and made just enough money to justify they keep getting made, they were all best known for being trapped in the UncannyValley. After the box office cataclysm that was ''MarsNeedsMoms'' caused his studio to shut down, he then had to head back to live-action cinema. 2012 will see the release of ''Film/{{Flight}}'' starring DenzelWashington, his first live-action movie in 12 years.

Nowadays, Zemeckis has taken to using [=CGI=] with [[MotionCapture performance capture]] technology, giving us ''ThePolarExpress'', ''Film/{{Beowulf}}'' and ''AChristmasCarol''. While these films were generally well received and made just enough money to justify they keep getting made, they were all best known for being trapped in the UncannyValley. After the box office cataclysm that was ''MarsNeedsMoms'' caused his studio to shut down, he then had to head back to live-action cinema. 2012 will see the release of ''Flight'' starring DenzelWashington, his first live-action movie in 12 years.

Academy Award-winning director of the ''BackToTheFuture'' trilogy, ''Film/WhoFramedRogerRabbit'' and ''ForrestGump'', Robert Zemeckis started off as a protégé of Creator/StevenSpielberg in TheSeventies. Zemeckis and his writing partner Bob Gale (they were collectively known as The Bobs) wrote several cult films which flopped during this time, including ''I Wanna Hold Your Hand'' (directed by Zemeckis), ''[[NineteenFortyOne 1941]]'' (directed by Spielberg) and ''Used Cars'' (directed by Zemeckis).