
Director: Brett Leonard
Writer: Eric
Bernt
Also starring: Denzel Washington (Lt. Parker Barnes), Kelly
Lynch (Dr. Madison Carter), William Forsythe (William Cochran),
Louise Fletcher
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This film had a lot going for it,
I just wish the most basic element of the writing had been
up to par. Lots of one-liners, plenty of opportunity for
fun and embracing the bizarre, but the plot has way too
many holes in it. The performances, the special effects,
the money that went into it just scream for a tighter plot.
That's what I thought the first time around, that is still
what I think. I just don't get how we are supposed to be
satisfied with a bomb-diffusion as an ending.
The character of Sid 6.7 is a fine
vehicle for Crowe's trademark energy. Crowe's and
Washington's characters are designed to play well off each
other. Parker Barnes counters Sid 6.7's extravagance with
energy-conserving stealth.
All
the more frustrating, then, to have a lame plot.
The special effects and the premise
of a virtual world with silicon life-forms are amusing and
very colorful. The frustrated, under-appreciated computer
geeks make sinister appearances without ever seeming in
control of their creations. The organic is no more than
equal to the synthetic: what naturally grown life forms
lack in control and procedure, we make up for in flexibility
and innovation.
The story does a nice job of balancing
the two: this flashy new world, this universe of the techno-intellect
reeks of a panting yearning for the human, most evident
in the face of the unwitting synthesizer of life, as he
lusts after his colleague's cyber-chick.
Worth a watch, if only for some
really fun performances.
Read someone else's opinion: Bob
Thompson of the Toronto Sun: Virtuosity
Not Russell's finest hour, this movie
stumbles along with no help
from leading man, Denzel Washington.
It is a far-fetched science-fiction "thriller"
about a convicted ex-cop
(Washington) who is released from prison to capture a cyber-serial
killer
(Russell Crowe), who has managed to take on a physical life
form.
The premise is interesting, but unfortunately the writer/director/producer
failed to flesh out the characters or the story. Viewers
are left with a
feeling of having wasted two hours of irretrievable time
(except for the
naked Russell moments, of course).
As usual, though, Russell gives it his all and appears to
be having a grand
time as the serial killer on the loose. Look for the disco
scene when he's
sizing up a hostage; he delivers one of the best lines in
the movie when he
looks at the hostage, smirks and says, "Love the suit."
He's wearing it in
the next scene. He appears to be having so much fun, in
fact, that if you
look closely during the TV station hostage scene, just as
the camera cuts
from Russell's face as he delivers the very serious line,
"You're watching
Death TV", he appears to be on the verge of busting
out laughing (Russell,
I'd laugh too if I had to say something that stupid in a
so-called "serious"
movie). But don't blame Russell, blame the bad editing.
Believe me, you'll want to laugh too (if not cry)when you
see this movie,
it's that bad. Verdict: Russell is good, even in a bad movie.
My advice is:
don't skip it, but for crying out loud, don't buy it.
(I would have rated this movie with a dead crow, except
for the naked
Russell shots. Those alone are worth at least one crow.)
Rated: one crowe
~bbw
I
find the "idea" of the film fascinating, probably because
I work in IT and things like Terabites and high platforms
mean something to me. The opposing characters as portrayed
by Denzel Washington who it must be said is an excellent
actor, and RC are strong although I felt more could have
been made of their relationship. The whole VR game spin
on the idea. Kelly Lynch performed well although her character's
input was minimal and at times almost a distraction from
the purpose of the film. All in all though, a thoroughly
enjoyable offering, and I for one would pay good money to
see a sequel if it ever happened .. after all, what happened
to Darryls voice actuated programme for SID 6.7?
Rated: four crowes
~Maggot
I
thought it was an interesting film even though it took place
in 1999. As a psychology student I found Russell's character
very interesting. His ability to play a psychopathic murderer
was to a T. His charm was unsurpassed only by his wit. As
for the special effects, they suited their time. Not great,
but not bad. Denzel's character was not as strong as Russells's,
but not bad. The chick served no purpose. All in all it
was a good film. And how about that butt shot!
Rated: three crowes
~Chantal
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