Definate oscar contender for art direction, effects

Rating: 8/10 (6 May 2000)

This movie had some of the best visuals I have ever seen. I can only compare it to last years Star Wars or Matrix. It also has cinematography reminicent of Thin Red Line, which adds to a fantastic picture.
One of the two problems I had with this movie, is that it seemed to attract a large audience of professional wrestling fans. I happen to think that anyone who comprehensively watches wrestling has the attention span of a 6 year old. So it felt like there were a bunch of 6 year olds staying up later than they should be to watch this movie, when I was there. Screaming "Can you smell what the rock is cooking" when the fight scenes are happening and "BORING" when they stop and talk.
The other problem, is that it for some reason doesn't feel like a masterpiece. At the end, Phoenix didn't seem to be sooooo evil as he was hyped to be throughout the movie. He was just a misunderstood problem child who got mad at daddie for embracing someone better then him. He could have been more powerful, and evil, there are ways.