Gattaca [Blu-ray]

This review is for "Gattaca."Gattaca is a tale of genetic engineering. It isn't about those who are genetically engineered, rather about one person who wasn't. Vincent Freeman, played by Ethan Hawke, is a natural born person. A "God Child" as they say in the film. All he desires in life is to travel to space, but is aware that it will be impossible due to the fact that he was naturally born, and therefore has vision and heart problems. He later finds Jerome Morrow, played by Jude Law, and uses his DNA to fool the system. Eventually, he does make it to space.This film contains plenty of twists and turns. There are numerous times when you expect Vincent to be caught, but somehow he manages. This is not a movie filled with action, but contains an in depth, gripping story instead. I recommend this movie to sci-fi, thriller, and drama fans alike. There is enough of a love story that my girlfriend enjoyed it, but not so much that it took over the story.

Gattaca (1997) is a sci-fi film that is thought-provoking, as it has you questioning your place in the world. What I love about this film is that it doesn't try to do too much; most sci-fi films indulge in special effects or exotic characters, with some exceptions (2001: A Space Odyssey comes to mind as an exception). This film, however, has some interesting settings and neat lighting in many scenes that gives the film a 'tint'. In this film, the characters are very organic and have an abundance of emotion, so I didn't care about exotic locations or special effects, though they're sprinkled in. The plot is easy to follow, and that's what drew me in. The storyline or subject matter sort of reminds me of Blade Runner, and the sets are futuristic, but not dystopian, like Blade Runner. Ethan Hawke, Uma Thurman, Jude Law, Alan Arkin, etc. turn in fantastic performances in their respective roles. This is a film about sheer determination, and realizing ones dream, though it's achieved in unethical fashion, but I didn't care because I believed in the performances of the actors. I also appreciated the occasional humor and memorable dialogue. I respect this extremely underrated sci-fi film that bombed at the box office (despite critical acclaim), and am happy to see that it's getting the respect it deserves as a cult classic years later. The special features are the standard 'making of', deleted scenes, original featurette, etc. The picture quality is pristine, and the sound is clear, though it's on the lower side, so adjust your volume accordingly.

In the not too distant future, children are practically engineered for birth, by taking the best genetic traits of their parents. People are rated based on their genetic potential. Vincent, who was conceived the old fashioned way, has a hard time being accepted to society, and despite his best efforts, he can't get to an elite space program. He ends up assuming the identity of another, one who has a superior genetic score. However, a murder of one of the employees at Gattaca, the space agency, brings unwarranted attention from law enforcement, and jeopardizes his efforts.An excellent movie, in my opinion. It is all about the plot and acting - no special effects or anything of the kind. It is slow pacing perhaps, but also highly suspenful.

I don't get Gattaca. I get the premise of a genetically engineered future and the recurring theme of a pervasive underclass. I get the assumption of identity plot element. I get the premise of some kind of corporate space program. What I don't get is how putting it together in this way makes any sense. It stretches my suspension of disbelief to its limits.A lot of what I find problematic is how everyone appears to be working on a MBA or in some corporate accounting department. Everyone in business suits, even while being shot into space in some rocket!?!? It seems the only way the "genetically gifted" have to distinguish themselves is by wearing suits. Yeah, like good cowboys wear white hats the genetically "not gifted" wear jump suits. That sort of heavy handed imagery is used throughout the movie and I found it distracting and annoying.Throughout the movie there is no real discussion about why Vincent wants to go into space. If he wants it so bad I'd think he would be talking about all the time. This is indicative of most of the movie for me. It's very shallow with 2 dimensional characters and only the most simple motivations. I like to have a little more development of motivations and just depth.The pace of the movie is slow and plodding with scenes that often have dissonant elements that are presented in harmony (like going to space in business suits) . I kept wanting to skip forward for some plot point that would move the story forward a little more deliberately.Two bright spots for me are Gore Vidal and Alan Arkin. Vidal was pretty much himself which I tend to find entertaining. Alan Arkin always turns in a great performance and I think he is great the detective in this movie.I can't recommend Gattaca as a "science fiction thriller". If you like a identity change plot that is kind of slow and plodding and emotional/relationship focused this may be your movie. It's not mine. That's why I'm only giving it 3 stars. Yes, it's watchable, but not something I'll watch again.

One of my favourite films - been looking for a while for it on Bluray. Not a technical expert but on my average 4k TV & player the picture looks fabulous.Version I got looks to be European - all the packaging text is in German with a green FSK/12 logo on the front corner. Menu & film itself though default to English with no subtitles.Don't want to give away too much of the plot but the film is set in a near-future society where someone's genetic makeup determines their place in society. Those with sufficiently accurate DNA are described as 'Valid' and those without are referred to as 'Invalid'. One of the organisations in this society is the Gattaca space exploration corporation who only recruit Valids with the most perfect genetic profiles. The story follows someone (Ethan Hawke) who is an Invalid, but wants to travel into space and how he goes about achieving his goal.Along the way though you get to appreciate the fantastic sets, retro-style outfits and understated acting of the cast. The interior & exterior of a Frank Lloyd Wright building in California is heavily used as a location and it suits the film perfectly.Its not an action film - and there are no spectacular special effects - but its hugely thought-provoking around genetic selection, nurture verses nature, and human potential and achievement.If you like great looking, intelligent sci-fi that will stick in your mind long after the end credits this is a film for you.

I enjoyed watching this movie.It's scenes, dialogues, settings are compact, strong. Particularly settings have a strange, deep effect on the viewer.It feels like entire movie is taking place on a simple science fiction theatre with no computerized widget & sound crowd.Darkish pastel colors dominate the scenes from start to end creating a mystical, cubical, logical suspense.Settings are simple, colors are basic, dialogues are short, sharp, and to the point; I would call it a piece of minimalist art.Movie is combination of fantasy and reality, like a real psychology story in a fantasy setting. It is a presentation power of will, envy, determination.Story takes place in a country where humans are grouped into two in terms of their genetic; VALID, and INVALID ones.And this culture is just normal and accepted by everyone.Valid ones are superior, and candidates for prime jobs.It is a story of the mind and the will of an invalid person.Vincent is the protagonist, and he is invalid and has a dream of being an astronaut participating in space missions.And his brother Anton is a valid one.Anton seems to lack passion for anything, eventually ending up being an crime investigator on police department.Vincent first starts working as a cleaner, help boy in a space station.Knowing that he has no chance of being astronaut, he still follows his dream, does the self study on the subject, and also physical training.Eventually he concludes that his efforts are worthless unless he has a valid blood. So he decides to fake his identity, scum the system with a valid one's identity.And he finds someone for that, Jerome.Jerome is a grandiose swimmer who became second in an international competition and he can not cope with the result psychologically.And he wanted to kill himself with a traffic accident, but he fails, and his body gets paralyzed.Jerome provides Vincent all necessary material like blood, urine, hair samples to pass regular controls.Eventually Vincent is accepted to Space mission program with the identify of Jerome.Administrator of the mission has suspicion on Vincent and he gets killed. And this murder is investigated by Anton. Anton gets suspicious on Vincent.While investigation is taking too long and jeopardizing the mission to Saturn, Director of the of the company confess that he killed the administrator because of risk offailing the mission. However It is never clear who killed the administrator.Anton implies that Vincent is fake, and his participation in the mission is a scum.So he invites him to do this swimming competition where they swim into the ocean until one gives up.They used to this while they were kids, and call it chicken game.In the test, Anton gives up; and on the return, he was going get drawn, but Vincent save his life.This clears the Anton hurdle for Vincent.He eventually gets into the ship to Saturn. Jerome leaves enough blood, hair samples for the rest of Vincent's life.This was a story of great Will, and fatality of grandiosity.The Will to overcome will to set the rules; even science, rationality are not perfect enough against human will.Hard logic presents weakness against the will which fluid , smart, and strong, and eventually it triumphs.Vincent's will finds support at all corners. His valid girlfriend helps him.The doctor who does the validity control helps him. Why? Because doctor's son admires the will of Vincent for the mission.So The Will flows and find it's way.Jerome is equally interesting character. Why does he participate in this scum?Does he hate the system? is this his revenge from the system?Or is it his own unstoppable grandiosity to make his name living forever strong?Or is it both, that is living in a system you hate while still want to be at the top.He kills himself when Vincent lifts off in the space ship.Actors are superb, their performance proves they were the right choice for the movie: Ethan Hawke (Vincent), Uma Thurman (Irene), Jude Law (Jerome)

I'd seen this before but decided to buy the DVD as it is one of those movies that sticks in your mind. I'm glad I did as this is a classic which is probably rather underrated for whatever reason. The time of genetic discrimination is not yet upon us but it is only a matter of time. I sensed parallels between this and the classic Blade Runner, which in a similar (although of course much more classic) way probed the discriminatory environments which we are yet to enter - in BRs case with androids of course.

.Possible spoilersI give no apologies for this review, it is completely biased one, first things first, and this review is about the `Superbit' circ 1998. If this review is found next to another format version, please ignore.A genetically inferior man assumes the identity of an enhanced genetically tweaked superior individual in order to pursue his ultimate dream of space travel; by doing this, he has committed the “crime” of using a “borrowed ladder” – by using the genetic profile of another person. Gattaca is in many ways is one the best films I have saw'. Just as people have been judged for centuries by the colour of their skin, their class or religious persuasion Gattaca predicts and explores the future where there will be a more subtle discrimination. It being a science fiction film helps make it more effective by allowing us to feel the emotions of the characters with little of our own history getting in the way. A haunting musical score goes well with the feeling of the film, with stunning visual backdrops and the very clear use of tinted lenses makes each scene vibrant eye candy.Ethan Hawke as Vincent does a sterling job of displaying how the odds are stacked against from his very inception! This is someone whose life is limited before he even tries. However, just as fascinating were the theoretically superior characters; Vincent's girlfriend, brother and his genetic original who suffer from the lie that genetics can perfectly predict a person's life.This disc plays well on a number of first generation DVD players. The colours are solid the sound is excellent; please note I did not try out the various sound enhanced systems, i.e. 5.1 Dolby, as I do not have this equipment. That said, the Superbit DVD was played on HD DVD player and HD Flat screen TV. The experience is mind-blowing; I cannot see the difference between picture quality on this DVD and some of the newer HD DVD releases. OK HD DVD is a defunct format, but it shows that upscaling this DVD gives it 'Angelic wings'. Is it worth buying? The answer is yes. This Superbit DVD makes a fantastic film, even more mind blowing.Some years ago at a film event, I asked Ernest Borgnine, who played the janitor in the film, what he thought of GATTACA. In a rather dismissive way, he said he did not get it. Well, 'that is his flawed genome. If you would like to see a sci-fi film that is based on curious characters and thought provoking circumstances - and not explosions, try Gattaca. Enjoy!.

I absolutely loved this film because it is a telescope into the future ...actually, drop the telescope, DNA sequencing is already here!!!. I watched a documentary recently of parents with sick children who have paid a lot of money to have their children's genomes sequenced to find exactly which code was written wrong. The children were given relevant treatment with the right medication that completely turned their lives around (you are talking about children who have never walked before in their ten years of life, eventually jumping up and down on trampolines). The documentary went on into other possibilities of what holding this DNA information might do in the future, in the wrong hands, or in the hands of officials, which borders on eugenics and similarities to what happens in the film Gattaca. In fact one of the parents in this documentary said what has happened to them through DNA sequencing was paralleled to the movie Gattaca which is why I purchased this movie.