Win one for the gipper...

Rating: Null/10 (19 February 2001)

Ridley Scott is a much misunderstood director. His trademark style is to create movies with purposely "one-dimensional" characters, most of which are not very likeable... and to distance us from them rather than bring them in closer. The reason he does this is so we focus on the film's (always incredible) atmosphere and (amazing) visuals.
Now, some may say this is "style over substance." Not quite right, it is style *AS* substance. A good example of plain old "style over substance" is the movie "The Cell." That one is all style, no substance. Gladiator, Hannibal, Blade Runner, these films are (mostly) all style, but the style *IS THE SUBSTANCE*. The atmosphere these films create, the way they make you feel in your gut, that is the substance!
Is there something wrong with that? Film is an art form, and who ever said every movie has to tell a deep, complex tale with warm characters we can all relate to? Sometimes, a film is all about style... it's a visual medium, isn't it? Do all paintings have to be of people?
Many people are never going to appreciate Ridley Scott's kind of directing... it's usually a "love it or hate it" kind of thing. Anyway, you finally deserve one of those golden paperweights, Ridley, go grab (at least) one!