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Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas - Criterion Collection Customer Reviews (67 - 69 of 80 Reviews)

Extreme entertainment
Prepare yourself for a wild journey into the world of bright lights, flashy people, and non-stop substance abuse. Hunter S. Thompson's book about covering a motorcycle race in Las Vegas through pure "gonzo journalism" has been excellently adapted for the big screen by former Monty Python member Terry Gilliam. The movie stays very true to the story, the product of one of the founding fathers of the drug culture of the 70's. This movie covers both extremes: you will love it or hate it, and it won't allow you to stay anywhere near the middle. People who are interested in the drug culture and beat culture, or even a cynical look at one of America's craziest cities, will probably find themselves enjoying the film immensely, laughing and gasping at the insane antics of a drug-abusing "doctor of journalism" and his attorney. People looking for a more down to Earth experience without the odd visual trip and inexplicable dialogue will only be confused and repulsed, wondering what kind of person enjoys this kind of thing. Johnny Depp's performance is absolutely first-rate, Benicio Del Toro sheds the mediocrity he produced in The Usual Suspects, and cameos by Gary Busey, Cristina Ricci, and Thompson himself add to the perfect blend of acting that make this film one of the best of its kind.

The extras alone are worth the price!
I like this film, and I think Terry Gilliam was the best person to direct it. One only need watch BRAZIL to see that Gilliam is altering his consciousness in some deep way. But, I am also the first to admit that this film isn't for every one. However, if you're even remotely interested in Hunter S. Thompson, the 50 minute BBC documentary on him that the good folks at Criterion have included on the second disc is worth the price of this set. You can't lose.

An incredible journey into Psychedelia and hell
This film is nearly indescribable. It ranges from interesting and funny (often hilarious) for the first part of the film, to a trip into the depths of hell. It has been said, in reviews on this website and elsewhere, that it is a movie for drug users, yet I beg to differ. If anything, this film, along with the great "Requiem for a Dream", is the greatest anti-drug statement ever put on film. It is not only an EXTREMELY accurate and fascinating depiction of drug use, but a disturbing depiction of the complete hell that drugs can put one in. See it once, and you will come out of it feeling as though you have a hangover. See it again, and again, and you cannot help but be entertained. The performances are awesome, and Johnny Depp manages to be riotous at times. The dialogue, particularly in the voice-overs, is biting, witty, and intelligently funny. Intelligence is not what you'd expect from your typical drug movie. It is beautifully photographed, and has a great soundtrack. Terry Gilliam, the brilliant director, has said of his film that you will not like it upon seeing it first, and that you may well have no idea what is going on. Repeated viewings will register the film as great. It will make you laugh, cry, and wail in misery, but the end product is, I'm convinced, one of the masterpieces of recent cinema.

People say Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas is "not for every taste", but really now, what person on earth could have this taste? It is not a matter of taste, for this film defies taste, it has no taste. Anyone is capable of seeing it and enjoying it. Just give it a chance, it's such a monumental effort.

The entire film Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas I think can be described as the character Dr. Gonzo (played by Benicio Del Toro) is in the very end of the film:

"Too weird to live, too rare to die"

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