One of the most evocative and engaging films I've ever seen.

Rating: 9/10 (6 January 2007)

When I first saw a teaser for this in 2005 -- bold white text on a black background -- I thought, "OK."
When I saw a full preview last summer that showed a story arching over a millennium, the stunning visuals (t'ai chi amidst the stars!) and the epic emotional/soul connection, my mind was electrified and I couldn't stop talking about my anticipation for this film.
I was not disappointed. I don't know how this film has been received in the US or other countries so far (I live in Korea at the moment), but I hope that ahead of the Academy spectacle it will receive a wider, renewed release.
I'd go on and on about the ancient cosmology and transcendent philosophy that Aronofsky brought to bear in this story, and how they are such vital messages for our (Western, dualistic, deterministic) society to contemplate and learn from at this time. But you just wanted a capsule commentary, didn't you?
"The Fountain" is astounding. I'll say that it is not only a hallmark film of the science fiction genre, but also one of the best American films ever, period.