Not so much a sci-fi flick as a spiritual journey.

Rating: 8/10 (31 August 2002)

This film is a borderline excellent movie. However, it has some simple plot elements which seem to be prevalent in most other movies of this sort. Then again, it has a few messages to which we as both rational thinkers and movie-goers should pay attention. The first is that of the existence of God. The movie shows how a traumatic experience could so well cause someone to lose faith in a higher being. Yet even if we don't believe in God, there are hints that He is trying to speak to us. This movie shows that very well. The other is that of science versus religion. We see both extremes in this movie, but we also see the logical middle-man. Matthew McConaughey's character makes a statement that both science and religion are aspiring to the same goal, which is the search for truth. Of course this movie cannot change the beliefs of either extreme, but it is something to think about. God and science can coexist. Palmer Joss is the proof in this case. Overall, this film has the conflict which will cause people to either love it or hate it. It is not meant to be a triller. It is supposed to be spiritual, like an M. Night Shyamalan film. Whether we choose to acknowledge that or not, that is our own choice to make.