Slow paced but intense dark sci-fi flick

Rating: 9/10 (27 August 2002)

There are of course two kinds of people in the world- generally speaking. There is one group of people who aren't going to like this film no matter what. So I'm warning you now. If you consider Armageddon one of the best sci-fi flicks of all time then you won't like this movie. Don't say I didn't warn you. Of course I like action flicks like Total Recall as much as the next guy. But I also like thinking films. This is a thinking film.

For what it is this movie is simply amazing. Sure it isn't realistic. But I haven't found a sci-fi movie which has ever seemed plausible. Who designs buildings so darkly? Nobody would want to work or live in that. There is a reason why they try to use light colours in office buildings today. But I digress.
The first 45 minutes is quite slow. But pay attention to the dialogue- its important. There isn't a lot of dialogue unfortunately. I would have liked to heard more from Edward James Olmos. But listen to the dialogue! Especially if you are watching the directors cut. You will have to figure things out for yourself. This film will not be liked by lazy thinkers. Did I mention pay attention to the dialogue? I thought so.
If you expend the energy to think about the words and the images the film will simply be amazing. The suspense will be lost if you aren't following the story though. And of course the best scene in the movie is where creation meets his creator. The scene is gripping to say the least.

I'm not big on Rutger's speech at the end. It's an average speech at best. But the mood was still there, and it was still an excellent scene. And the ending which I will not spoil is not to be missed. It leaves questions unanswered. I'm sure I mentioned this was a thinking movie. It's up to you to come up with the answers. If you are unwilling to do that then don't watch this movie. You will hate it. But if you are willing to think during and after a movie you will find this one of the best sci-fi movies ever.

P.S. I have only seen the director's cut. So this review is based on that.