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Gattaca (Superbit Collection)Rating:
Release Date: 11 December, 2001 Retail Price: $26.95 OUR Price: $23.99 You SAVE: $2.96! Cast: Complete Cast (12 total) |
Gattaca (Superbit Collection) Reviews
Underrated or just unappreciated?
I was about to type a title of "most underrated movie ever" but then it hit me: it's not underrated. In fact, many many people love the film with critics hailing the film and a loyal fanbase making it a cult classic in line with Donnie Darko or the Crow. Yet others don't know of it and it didn't get the attention it deserved so it's kind of in that grey area: it's got a following but it didn't have the box office to go along with it which is too bad cause it's quite intelligent and thought-provoking.
In the commonly used "not-too-distant future" setting, human genetics has reached a level where you can actually predetermine everything about a child's life from eye color to gender and even identify any possible neurological or physical defects. If you're "engineered", you're known as a Valid, an upper-class citizen which works more respectable jobs like Gattaca, a space-training facility. In-Valids are basically babies born the formally natural way(i.e sex) and they're just cleaners and menial job workers now.
Vincent is an In-Valid with a heart condition that sets his life expectancy to 30 years. He dreams of space exploration so what does he do? Borrows an identity from a talented-but-crippled Valid named Jerome and assumes his DNA from urine samples to heartbeats and even has to scrub off eyelashes and skin. So when a murder happens in Gattaca and Vincent accidentally leaves his own DNA, he has to somehow elude capture before going on a space trip to a distant moon while falling for one of his co-workers Irene.
From Minority Report to Brazil to Blade Runner, there's always films that take place in the future and possibly offer a glimpse into what it could be like. Some offer a post-apocalyptic version, others are more ambitious and colorful and then there's Gattaca. Besides the genetics thing and a couple things, there's not a lot to suggest this is a radically different world and it works. Instead of being very out there with the technology advancements, this one seems more plausible and just as chilling. The idea of a perfect human seems to recall a certain much hated man from the 1940's who had an idea of a master race. While it's not implied at all in the film, it does seem kind of a different way to go about making humans more perfect.
As a film how does it work? Pretty well but there's minor nitpicks. While the existential aspect of the film delivers, as a "thriller" it's not as harrowing and exciting, the love story is not as developed as it should be and its recurring idea of a swimming race seems kinda odd but it's different so in a way it works but still, a character's life rests in his swimming abilities? Um ok. Acting-wise however it's great, sets and cinematography are lush and attractive and the music's really compelling.
Similar themed Blade Runner had a pretty crappy DVD release before Warner announced a ginormous edition for 2007. Gattaca is another that should be re-released as this is quite awful for a much-praised film. It's definately a rental but if you're a huge fan and you want to own it now go ahead but when the inevitable "Special Edition" or "Collector's Edition" is released, you'll have an extra so it depends on how often you're going to watch a film and let's face it, with Gattaca, it's not that bad to rewatch it over and over.
Welcome to Gattaca
I finally saw this film for the first time last night after hearing how wonderful it was time and time again. I have to say that the reviews for this film are right. It's very smart and excellently paced, keeping your attention and testing your wits. Vincent Freeman was born into the world conceived in love. His parents had opted to have a child naturally rather than have a child according to new procedures. You see natural selection is the way to go, having your sperm and eggs inspected as to the perfect child, wiping out all disease and medical problems, mood disorders or any chance of early death. These genetically altered children are considered 'valids'. Vincent was born an 'in-valid', not expected to live more than 30 years. Because of this set-back Vincent will never be allowed to realize his dream of space travel for only 'valids' are allowed to enter the training program. You must be of the utmost physical shape.
This was until Vincent (Hawke) met Jerome Morrow (Law), a 'valid' who lost everything due to an accident and is now bound to his wheelchair. He offers Vincent the opportunity of a lifetime, to take over his life, live as he should have. He cuts his hair to look like Jerome, he gets contacts and he even has a procedure done to his legs to make him the right height (crazy). Jerome supplies Vincent with enough blood and urine to pass any test. To everyone around him Vincent is Jerome Morrow. And now Vincent can realize his dream of Space Travel.
That was until the head of the department of space travel is found murdered. After a Detective (Elias Koteas) is put on the case he threatens to expose Vincent for who he is. Uma Thurman does a great job as Irene, a fellow employee at Gattaca who befriends Vincent and understands him more than he knows. Jude Law to me is who steals the show proving that he is as acclaimed as he is for a reason. Excellent story line and execution that raises this film to the next level. This film carries a ring of truth as new procedures are already making this possible. As of now parents can go as far as to pick the color of their child's eyes, hair, his likes and dislikes. With everything in the hands of the parents, nothing to chance, it's taking us so far from where we were meant to be. What ever happened to accepting what God provides? What ever happened to loving your children for who they are and not who you made them?
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