An unconventional, explosive, fast-pace, revolutionary film for those who enjoy thought-provoking movies.

Rating: Null/10 (1 May 2000)

The first rule of Fight Club: think long and hard after you see Fight Club. The second rule of Fight Club: think even more about the movie until you arrive at the truth and power of this masterpiece. Finally, if you believe that you've been able to ascertain the greatness of Fight Club, then you are ready to read the following commentary.
Fight Club is the iconoclast of movies. It is a brilliant, stream-of-consciousness picture packed with phenomenal directing, fresh applications of visual effects, and a duo of characters that will stick in your mind because of their blatant realism. Brad Pitt and Edward Norton are simply awesome. Pitt plays an anarchistic, free-willed character named Tyler Durden who serves as a contrast to the unassuming insomniac Jack, played by Norton. Pitt is what we could only hope to be, whereas Norton is a pathetic, suffering human being whose life is lost and devoured by a society of consumerism.
The reason Fight Club is so controversial is because of its truthful, explosive nature. Whereas movies such as American Beauty are friendly and clever to the average viewer, FC is much more captivating and daring. It is an intrepid ride through the reality we often prefer to deny. FC presents all the drawbacks we don't wish to hear about of our supposedly "advanced" society. FC is not about beating others to a bloody pulp, but it focuses upon liberating oneself and having the courage to go with your aspirations and dreams - instead of drowning in a world of conventions and materialism. Ikea, Starbucks, and Martha Stewart are the enemies, and are brilliantly derided by a movie dripping with social parodies. Fight Club is also the paradigm of David Fincher's movies: the dark humor will keep you laughing for weeks.
Although accused of making fun of people with testicular cancer along with promoting violence, David Fincher's Fight Club clearly applies these aspects of life as integral elements of a potent theme. Testicular cancer is significant in showing how a person much derive motivation from watching others suffer, in order to eventually rejuvenate himself. Violence is used to show a brotherhood of liberated proletariats, but the violence eventually goes out of control and progresses towards terrorism. Overall, FC is a movie about the mind, and focuses on the dangerous repercussions of self-denial, consumerism, and suppressed dreams.
From a directing point of view, FC is a masterpiece. Directed by David Fincher (Se7en, The Game), FC revolutionizes the use of visual effects, has great music (the soundtrack by The Dust Brothers is great), and applies a stream-of-consciousness method of narration that is prominently unique. In retrospect, Fincher is brilliant, FC as a whole is powerful, and the movie is a must-see for those willing to be thought-provoked.