Brainstorm
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Movie Reviews of Brainstorm
Movie Review: "Look At The Stars!" ~ A Space Odyssey Of The Mind
Summary: 4 Stars
In the tradition of the '68 sci-fi classic '2001 - A Space Odyssey' the '83 film 'Brainstorm' explores the infinite parameters of the universe within and proves once and for all the old axiom, "the inside is greater than the outside".
Synopsis: Dr. Michael Brace (Christopher Walken) and Dr. Lillian Reynolds (Louise Fletcher) are two scientist on the cutting edge of modern technology who develop instrumentation that has the ability to record human thought, feelings and the all the internal images and experiences that go with them. Unfortunately just as their research is on the verge of revolutionizing all we know about the mind and the vast, infinite potential within the government steps in and takes over their project in hopes of utilizing their their new discovery for advanced military applications. Will this new technology be used as the ultimate weapon of war or will Michael and Lillian be able to continue their work for the altruistic reasons they originally envisioned?
Critique: 'Brainstorm' is a superior film articulating several futuristic concepts that might well await mankind in the not to distant future. That alone makes this film well worth a view. However there are also numerous moments where the pacing develops far too slowly and the relationships come across as rather bland and emotionless disqualifying this production from ever achieving classic status and the comedic moments of chaos in the lab late in the film are out of place and contrary to the the overall mood and plot of the tale unfolding.
Also on the slightly negative side, the overt anger and paranoia displayed against governmental agencies was a little overdone, but I guess that was in keeping with the angst of the sixties. Fortunately the ending really hits home and gives the audience some real food for thought. If you enjoyed '2001 - A Space Odyssey' and the recent release 'The Fountain' you'll enjoy this film as well.
Movie Review: Dark Cloud Over Troubled Production
Summary: 4 Stars
Watching "Brainstorm" you can't help to think what might have been. Natalie Wood's untimely death in 1981 had more of an effect on the finished product than you would think. The film's release was delayed for reshoots and rewrites and it's good but it could have been better. Director Douglas Trumbull posits an intriguing idea about the possibilities of sharing another person's feelings and experiences. When in the right hands the possibilities are wonderful. When in the wrong hands the whole concept is corrupted and evil is evident. The problem I have here is Trumbull has evil represented by big corporation and big government. Cliff Robertson is fine as the face of soulless big business. Big goverment here, however, is represented by cliched non-descript baddies. The ending here, too, feels abrupt. The death experience is represented by a psychedelic lightshow that Kubrick would have rejected in the sixties. I think it's here that Wood's death probably effected the film. There's enough here to recommend, though. The film is eminently watchable and engaging. The acting on the whole is superb. Wood at least has a decent vehicle for her final film. Christopher Walken, eschewing the mannerisms that we have come to know and love, is solid as the scientist trying to protect the purity of his work. Louise Fletcher probably comes off best as Walken's chainsmoking colleague who takes the malevolent interference of her work a little to much to heart. I give "Brainstorm" a qualified recommendation because of it's ambitions despite falling short in execution.Movie Review: A sci-fi film with meaning and soul
Summary: 4 Stars
Is this a great film? No, let me say that is a great concept, truly stretches ones imagination, and it is a good film. The concept is wonderful, although the film itself leaves you just tantalizingly short of where it could have gone.The basic premise is a scientific discovery where a person's thoughts, emotions, and experiences can be captured on "tape", recorded, and then experienced by someone else by simply playing the tape. The concept is fascinating. While the special effects are excellent for a film this old, the most powerful scenes for me were the depictions of a couple on the verge of divorce getting to experience the other's perspective of shared events. The experience of seeing themselves and their behavior though the other's eyes changes their relationship forever. This aspect of the concept is not played out as fully as it could be.
This film is also the last movie of Natalie Wood, who died tragically during the production of the movie. Christopher Walken is excellent as the lead actor.
The ending of the film touches on something so fascinating that they simply couldn't pull it off. Overall, I recommend this movie, as a fascinating concept that will leave you thinking after the film is over. Always a sign that the movie is worth watching.
Movie Review: Nothing has changed
Summary: 4 Stars
This is a classic Sci-Fi thriller movie tells a story if a hypothetic wonder technology is made real how good and bad would happen. I was a CS course student when I watched this at a movie theather in 1984 and was delightful to find this recently in local DVD store. Now mid 40s I rediscovered the charm of this movie. The most emotional sequence is the divorcing couple could finally share their loving memory with the help of reality device. The director might want to tell what really makes people happy.
The movie plot is a surprisingly modern and yet shows the age when it was pictured. DEC, E&S and Gould, many other high-tech of 1981 have gone. The director knows well that cutting edge science research and technolgy field. The initial 10 minute sequence is enchanting. If you're a type of researcher and/or engineer, you would understand easier. I wonder the movie contains many jargons popular in '80 but I can not figure out since I'm not an American. Too bad we can not see anymore it at a theather in the original dual format screen play. It's made with all analog and is not a movie for LCD display.
Movie Review: Ahead of the game...
Summary: 4 Stars
Along with movies like Silent Running and Blade Runner, Brainstorm is left in a malestrom of an unknown future which only the portal view of Douglas Trumball could only set in motion. Though Blade Runner was made by an even excptional director, Ridley Scott, these two movies have been 'quietly' reveered by directors and 'ohmaged' by the other sci-fi action adventure directors that we see today. I saw this movie when I was 17 and I am now 40 and I've come to notice the almost sterile brooding nature of the film even though a death of a famous actress is associated with it which took it away for the 'what if' aspect at the time of it's release in the early 80's. I'd have to say if you took away that aspect of the finished product of the film and take it for what it is, i'd say that there could be a very HEALTHY re-make in line here and it could further bring thought to this subject which was taken off the table back when it was made.