One of the most excellent films in the history of motion pictures!

Rating: Null/10 (17 December 1999)

"Chinatown" is a film that you draw more from with each viewing. And in turn, it becomes better with each viewing. I recently had the pleasure of watching a 25th Anniversary screening of "Chinatown" on the big wide Panavision screen. There, it was as if I were seeing it for the very first time! I was fully absorbed within the confines of the film. It was absolutely incredible. Now, I am proud to call myself a happy owner of the 25th Anniversary DVD release of "Chinatown". After watching the DVD, I finally feel like I fully understand all of the minute details and subplots leading up to the explosive climax of "Chinatown". I can also see how "Chinatown" is talking about the world we live in today, in a sense that in a world that is corrupt and laden with deceit and mystery, a hopeful outcome will never be. And more wisely spoken still, it is better that we forget about it all and stay out of it. "Forget about it Jake, it's Chinatown". The meaning is a metaphor for every person's life in the world today. It's unfortunate, but that's life! "Chinatown" has been labeled as a classic example of the film noir genre. I wouldn't call it such. Film noir is something like "The Third Man" or "The Killing", in which absolutely nothing good comes out of a situation and for no good reason. "Chinatown" had reason, and it was more of a puzzle than simplistic film noir, unraveling and unraveling until there was nothing left but the message in the climax of "Chinatown". I loved it! It was the first time that I really felt influenced, inspired, and deeply affected by a film. It was really riveting. The only exception to this being a really great film was the most typical Hollywood cliche that has placed films like James Cameron's "TITANIC" into the category of pure absurdity and stupidity. I'm talking about how the characters know each other for a day or two, and already find each other having sex. They do this sex thing in every movie, and why? Life doesn't happen that way, unless you are a complete sleazebag. Other than that, I thoroughly enjoyed this film, and I highly recommend this to someone who wants to see a film that toys with our interests and our intellect like a great riddle or a puzzle. I also think it is a film that will change your life forever!