Thoughtful and visually stunning

Rating: 9/10 (22 August 2010)

The message of the film is an old one. Whether our world around us can be deconstructed into something that we can understand. The spin on the issue is what is truly innovative about the film. It seems that one cannot fully understand the world until one confronts death, in which case the entire essence of life will be revealed.
Several things stood out to me in the film. The close up "functional" shots were unique. Every time Max left his apartment, the audience saw him unlock all five deadbolts. Every time Max took his pills, we saw and heard them enter his mouth. The use of the subway, an intricate man-made machine, was a brilliant play within the dichotomy of order vs. chaos.
The best true contrast was between life and machine, which can best be seen in the insect shots. Ants and ant eggs continuously get caught up in the computer wires. The turning point of the film occurs when Max finally decides to allow the ant to live, in which point he discovers that the true meaning of life lies in the life itself.
This film will hold your interest from beginning to end.