Gattaca
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Movie Reviews of Gattaca
Movie Review: Nature vs nurture, and the worth of a man
Summary: 5 Stars
Many people spend their lives searching for their place in life, and many movies are made that deal with this theme; examples include "The Majestic", "As Good as it Gets", "Lost in Translation" and "X-Men". But what about the exact opposite, what about those who know for certain their place in life and are not happy with it? This is the central underlying theme in this movie. It is the future, and mankind has progressed to the point where genetic engineering of newborns is a common practice. Some kids are born naturally without any genetic improvements, and have set limits and expectations for their life. These are known as "invalids". Others are born with genetic improvements, and they are born into a different life with different limits and expectations; usually higher. These are "valids". This movie is about both individuals, brothers really. One is a Valid and rises high within the ranks of Gattaca, a futuristic corporation that sends people to space. The other is an "Invalid, and being unhappy with his fate, uses his wit and the friendship of a thoughtful Valid to rise even higher. Their fates intertwine at the very end in a triumph of the human spirit over predisposed social constraints. The movie moves briskly but not too quickly. The dialogue is quite sharp and natural. The personal relationships are well-thought out. And Jude Law is probably in his best role as an actor. All told, a great movie and worth the time to watch. Premiering in the mid 1990's, it touches on many of the themes now surfacing in the era of biotech and genetic engineering.Movie Review: Brave New World II
Summary: 5 Stars
Gattaca pleasantly surprised me as a thoughtful and rather worrisome view of the possible future instead of the special-effects-laden sci-fi movie I was expecting.The story takes place at a time when genetic excellence is the yardstick by which individuals are measured. The ability to preselect genes among offspring and measure one's genetic potential through simple biological tests gives rise to a new form of discrimination that bars the genetically flawed protagonist, played by Ethan Hawke, from his lifelong goal of becoming an astronaut. Undaunted, he sets out to fool a genetic screening system and gain admission to the space program where he can pursue his dream. A scandalous incident at the space center (Gattaca) casts a scrutinizing light on each of the employees and threatens to expose his deception.
The details of this movie are clever and well thought out. The film has a graceful, almost poetic quality bolstered by a lush musical score. The acting is quite good all the way around. Ethan Hawke's fine performance certainly puts him on the map if he wasn't already there. Jude Law almost steals the show with his convincing portrayal of the broken golden child made miserable by his own misfortune but who comes to share in the dream of Ethan Hawke's character as he helps him outwit the system.
Gattaca shows us that lackluster natural potential coupled with unwavering desire and ambition can ultimately reach higher than mere genetic predisposition. Well worth seeing; four-and-a-half stars.
Movie Review: Gattaca
Summary: 5 Stars
I really liked this movie!The plot is quite interesting even if it is quite classical (in a world of injustice, the good deserving guy takes the place of the genetically perfect and realises his dreams by working hard). Set in the world of Gattaca, the plot keeps you interested thourough the movie (you can only guess who the murderer is), there even is a slight touch of humor. The characters are realistic and interesting and quite endearing. The end is quite good, not too much the happy-ending type.
I was concerned that this would be one of those sci-fi stories where the special effects are the only important thing, so I was enchanted to find out that there were no battles between human and machines, for example.
I found the whole idea of this world of genetical perfection quite captivating and it made me reflect about the future. The world that is portraied isn't really one that you would want to live in, the "invalid" being denied a normal life and the "valid" not being very happy either. It shows that some kind of discrimination will always exist.
The cast is outstanding, Ethan Hawk and Uma Thurman are both good actors, but Jude Law was the one that attracted my attention by his great performance. I really think he was wonferful. His character really added something to the film as you discover the "human" under the image of perfection.
Supported by a perfect cast, this movie really makes you reflect and you won't forget it!
Movie Review: Intelligent script
Summary: 5 Stars
Superior Sci-Fi thriller about an 'advanced' future society in which genetic hierarchy is established - leaving an inevitable underclass to pay the price . Application and ambition are immediately negated by poor genetic makeup. Good schools reject kids with high probability of illness because of the lack of insurance cover. Companies refuse to invest in employees with poor health 'expectancy'. 'Genetisism' is rife , people are no longer defined by their virtues or abilities but damned by their genes. Beautifully understated, it has intelligent dialogue (which I wont spoil by quoting) and a Micheal Nyman soundtrack that will break your heart. The acting is excellent. Ethan Hawke is both inspiring and endearing as the 'Inva-lid' who conquers not only a prejudicial system but the determinism imposed upon him by nature. However...Alan Arkin as the chillingly efficient Police detective betrays the absurdity of Hollywoods own hierarchy by convincingly acting the pants off most of todays 'A - list'.
The film owes some of of its aesthetic beauty to Frank Lloyd Wrights architecture - its a testament to his futuristic vision that a building designed and erected by him in the 1950s should be an appropriate setting for 'Gattaca' , a film not only shot in 1997 but depicting a future possibly a hundred years from now. This film gets better with repeated viewing so buy the video - and dont let it sit on your shelf gathering dust (or eyelashes).
Movie Review: Rings close to home.
Summary: 5 Stars
"Gattaga" is a masterpiece. Firstly, it is a timeless movie. Released in 1997 you would expect it to seem dated by 2006 but it is far from it. Instead of using "futuristic" clothing and hairstyles, etc the director chose to give the movie a classic feel with hints of the 1920's and 1950's with just the smallest "futuristic" twists. The result is a movie that doesn't make you cringe at what people then thought the future would look like.
As we delve further into genetic science, what "Gattaga" portrays is more thana little bit likely to happen. There will be a new kind of class system and a new type of discrimination...all of which will be decided by a simple blodd test mapping out the sequence of one's DNA.
I am 27 years old and have had cancer twice. Had my husband been able to discover at the beginning of dating me that one year into our relationship I would be having surgery and radiation therapy due to the cancer I wonder if he still would have considered me a candidate for a mate. Since the cancer (and reading up on how hereditary it is) he now thinks if we have children we should get someone else's eggs (not mine) to "ensure" our children to not receive my defect.
This is the subtle beginning of what Gattaga is all about. I am not into sci-fi very much but I adore this movie onb every level: plot, character developement, cinematography and especially the music (score).