You're wise not to get excited Nate. I find in general I like movies alot more when my expectations are low - which is why, unlike the rest of you, I didn't totally hate
9.
Gilliam is part of a dying breed of filmmakers that don't sell out or try to capitalize on a particular market; he makes films because he likes to, pure and simple.
This film will sell itself, it needs not the leg-up of
Hot Topic that most films these days have. The fact that its Ledger's last film alone will rake in the masses (though that's not to say any of them will actually enjoy it).
A film's "time" is imperative to it's success. I've screened several films that were completely shat upon that weren't that bad because they were released at the wrong time.
Parnassus, I predict, will be toe to toe in a sack race with
Alice in Wonderland for surreal fantasy-film glory next year. Visuals aside, one thing is for sure; Gilliam's film will have twice the substance of Burton's. I like Burton's films, but they usually only deliver on the visual front, and not so much on the cerebral.
Gilliam has expressed interest in many projects including the
Gorillaz animated feature film and an adaptation of
Good Omens. But he's coming up on 70 (if he isn't already), and I sincerely hope he lives long enough to keep providing his spectacular scope to the world.