stylish, but a hollow, perhaps even hypocritical film (spoilers)

Rating: 7/10 (24 February 2000)

Let me start my saying that I do like Fight Club in the overall sense, if only for its stylish direction (on the technical side, at least) and occasional sense of humor.
But there are loads of things wrong with the film, too. While it picks a valid theme, that being the general aimlessness and cynicism of Generation X, its conclusions are uncertain and its execution is all wrong. The entire film seems to support nihilism and self-destruction as an answer to the problem of philosophical and spiritual emptiness; in other words, the film (particularly Tyler) seems to promote embracing that emptiness. But then, the whole movie jumps ship in the last few minutes and ends ambiguously, on the one hand seeming to suggest such nihilism is wrong (the narrator "defeats" Tyler), but on the other hand seeming to confirm the rest of the movie (the narrator and Marla stand together and watch, with seeming contentment, as the bombs go off). So, in the end, the movie isn't brave enough to make any real statement at all.
Furthermore, if Fight Club IS criticizing materialism, than it's insanely hypocritical ("The things you own end up owning you, but please buy the DVD"). And, if one wants to criticize trendiness, as this movie again may or may not be doing, don't include a techno/industrial soundtrack.
And I have to say, I have never, at least before this film, seen a movie that is degrading to both men and women.
But, I have to say, reviewer Durden7 is right about one thing. Fight Club is a movie that is generally going to draw people that are predisposed to liking it, anyway. But, this is NOT the definitive film of this age, although it might be the definitive film of those that are satisfied being defined by film.
Nevertheless, I do recommend Fight Club, at least for a rental. I've got to admit, it is kind of cool. Just go into it aware that you're not getting style over substance, you're getting style rather than substance. 7/10
P. S. American Beauty covers a similar theme, if with an older subject, and does it better (and without going Marxist).