Reply With QuoteArse. I thought it was out tomorrow. Another day to wait.
I actually quite liked Minority Report. It managed to retain the spirit of the story on which it was based while compromising enough to maintain its blockbuster action movie footing. Blade Runner is one of the greatest films of all time, and if you don't agree you may as well just stop reading and carry on with eating Lego or whatever it is you do with your time. It's based loosely on Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, but discards many of the story's more metaphysical aspects.
Paycheck. Well. I've never seen Paycheck because prolonged exposure to Ben Affleck brings me out in a fury, but I'm reliably informed that it's fairly divergent from the original. Total Recall is hugely enjoyable, but aside from sharing a central idea it's pretty far removed from We Can Remember it for You Wholesale. Never before, to my knowledge, has any Philip K. Dick adaptation come anywhere close to being as faithful to the source material as A Scanner Darkly.
We follow the story of Bob Arctor, a man divided. Employed as an undercover narcotics agent who goes by the codename "Fred", Arctor is hopelessly addicted to a drug known as Substance D. Abuse of this drug leads to brain damage and eventual death, and it's this process of degradation that we follow as Arctor's reality begins to fragment. As the film progresses he loses track of his own identity, until "Fred" finds himself happily spying on Bob Arctor. No longer considered fit to perform his duties—indeed, in serious danger of death—Fred/Bob is admitted to rehab, and it is here that things take a darker turn, as more is revealed about the enigmatic Substance D.
If people will insist on employing Keanu Reeves, they could do a lot worse than to continue casting him as a brain-damaged junkie. It's a role he carries off remarkably well. Here he benefits from some exemplary supporting performances, particularly those of Robert Downey Jr. and Winona Ryder. These performances really make the film, as Arctor and his group of drug-addict friends are portrayed as likeable human beings rather than being demonised. Their plight is an affecting one.
Much of Philip K. Dick's dialogue has remained intact, and this bolsters the film with a great deal of dark humour and verisimilitude. The scenes of paranoia, misplaced aggression and torturous logical leaps will be instantly familiar to anyone who's been in a similar situation. Given that A Scanner Darkly was written largely from Mr. Dick's first-hand experience, this should come as no surprise.
The rotoscoping animation technique used here—scenes were first filmed and then painstakingly cel-animated over—is far more than a simple gimmick. It lends each scene a layer of separation from reality, and the sensation intensifies as the film progresses and the central character's mental condition further degrades. It's the only way the film could have worked properly other than doling out hallucinogenic drugs with every ticket.
The transition from page to screen has robbed A Scanner Darkly of none of its impact. The story, with its criticisms of the establishment and warnings of encroaching police surveillance, is more relevant today than it was when it was first written.
Viddy well, little brother. Viddy well.
A Scanner Darkly is released on Friday 18th of August. Rated 15.
Official Site
Arse. I thought it was out tomorrow. Another day to wait.
The interval between birth and death is fractal. Any given moment is infinitely deep and rich, and therefore one lifetime is quite enough for me.
How much does having not read the book affect enjoyment / understanding of the movie?
I though this looked great....must go see!!!
Honesty through paranoia...
I saw the trailer a while ago. I might just have to visit the cinema when I have pennys.
Looks like there's a screening tonight at 8pm at Cineworld.Originally Posted by poprock
Very little, I should think. Both go out of their way to be confusing at the same points. The film actually leaves a couple of things unexplained (the 18-gear bike, for example) that the book maybe spoils a little by overexplaining.
was to see this tonite at advanced screenings but foned to book my tickets too late and it was sold out
GRRR!!!
ONCE UR DEAD UR MADE FOR LIFE!!!
See, i'd heard this was a big dollop of turd cinema, but now i want to see it.
Damn you, Stuface.
i can just tell they won't show it in aberdeen... and by the time i'm in glasgow it'll be gone
Serves you right for believing the worst movie reviewer in AN history
I saw this about a month ago..and it was so-so.
The animation didn't piss me off as much as I thought it would, but the storyline wasn't as engaging as it could have been.
Robert Downey Jr busts his ass doing this fantastically well played role and the twist at the end is well foreshadowed
thank fuck, i thought it was never going to come out...
What do you mean written from his first hand experience?
PKD was well-known for ingesting some ‘interesting’ substances and for being utterly off his rocker. He was a very mentally unstable gentleman.
The interval between birth and death is fractal. Any given moment is infinitely deep and rich, and therefore one lifetime is quite enough for me.
He was addicted to amphetamines and spent a lot of his time hanging out with people who ended up dead or permanently brain-damaged through drug abuse. All the sci-fi stuff was added in later on because he didn't think he'd be able to sell the story otherwise.
Ahh ok thank you
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