Scanners (DVD)

Advantages: Good Special Effects
Disadvantages: Not many

..."A Scanner Darkly" is based on the novel by Philip K Dick. Richard Linklater's film stars Keanu Reeves as undercover narcotics policeman; Bob Arctor. This is an interesting film but it didn't really move me deeply. There was some good acting but the story line was simply not exceptional. On deep reflection it is not a film that I would recommend. But if you want to watch it do so at your own risk. 1 hour forty mins Rating (15) The Product details The Actors: Rory Cochrane, Robert Downey Jr., Mitch Baker, Keanu Reeves, Sean Allen (II) Directors: Richard Linklater Format: PAL, Widescreen Language English Region: Region 2 ( DVD formats.) Aspect Ratio: Wide Screen:1 Number of discs: 1 Classification: 15 Studio: Warner Home Video DVD Release Date: 22 Jan 2007 Run Time: 120 minutes... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Very Stylistic, gerat soundtrack
Disadvantages: difficult to follow

...Having read Philip K Dicks book, A Scanner Darkly, I was eagerly awaiting the film adaptation. Upon hearing that George Clooney had optioned it no less, and that Richard Linklater was down to direct it I was kind of ecstatic. I have a lot of respect for George Clooney, following his efforts to turn out less main stream Hollywood films, in favour of thought provoking and interesting films. So when I heard that Keanu Reeves had go the lead role as Bob Arctor, my heart sank. To be fair to Reeves, his last couple of films have been stinkers. Matrix Reloaded and Revolutions were not bad down to his acting, more to the clunky direction of the Wachowski Brothers. But the lead character for A Scanner Darkly, in my opinion would always have needed someone who had a half decent range, and not someone who cam across as a bit of an airhead... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Graphics and humour
Disadvantages: Creative licence taken too far?

...I first saw this DVD case when i was browsing in Virgin Megastores. The graphical representation of Keanu Reeves and Robert Downey Jr. I looked it up on IMDB as i do for most films before i buy them, and it seemed like a good buy. The way the film works is strange, i had never seen anything like it before, and havent seen anything like it since. The graphical animation of the characters, scenery and settings are amazing!! Nothing was ever still, which added to the feel of the film as you knew that nobody could trust anybody else, it made each and every character look "sketchy" which is rather relevent for the style of the film. As well as this, the plot for the film was good, with Keanu Reeves playing the main character who was just as untrustworthy as the drug dealers he was pursuing. The only thing that i found very strange... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful