Customer Reviews

Human Traffic [VHS]

5 star:		(51)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

If you have half a brain, you'd ignore the editiorial review. The man obviously has no heart and any sense of humor. Whatever he mentioned, go with the opposite. The writing? Wickedly funny. Attitudes? None whatsoever. In fact, the whole premise of the film is to show how alienated young people are made to feel these days and that the only means of making sense of it all is the love and support of their peer group. The only attitude they have is that they're trying to make sense of everyday reality and when you're in your early 20's, things are not always peachy keen. Brett is the epitome of what these 4 friends are trying to escape from. Free your mind Brett. Have you ever gone out to a club and felt absolutely carried away by the music? Have you ever danced for 4 hours straight? Have you ever experienced the beauty and stillness of a sunrise with your closet friends? Have you ever fallen in love with your best friend? Obviously not, otherwise the movie would have touched you greatly. Instead you just chuck in the "Trainspotting" category. Stupid. The only 3 things this movie has in common with Trainspotting: There are drugs. There is techno. It's set in Great Britain. That's it. Maybe I was spoiled club kid, but at the time (90-92), the only thing I had to look forward to in my bleak life as a college freshman was the weekend and going to dance parties with my best mates. Every weekend was a bonding experience and I'll never forget those times. This movie is a scrapbook for the acidhouse genration, told humanly and accurately, with a fanastic soundtrack (thank you Pete Tong!)
So Brett, you missed the boat, mate and I feel sorry for you.

As of this evening I have seen both versions; the UK version and the US version. The former absolutely rocks. It is the closest to a great night out clubbing that you are likely to see on the screen.
Anyone who has ever gone out clubbing will appreciate the UK version of this film. For example, the scene where Felix is chatting with another spaced out clubber about how it is not as good as it used to be. I found this scene hilarious and the flashback to 1991 even more so. On the whole Human Traffic is one of the best "rave" (read: not completely anti-drugs) movies ever.
Now the bad news. This flashback scene, and many more like it, are completely MISSING from the US version. I dont know why the distributors think that the US audience are so tender and impressionable that they cannot handle such satire and wit. Regardless, US audiences are sadly deprived from a great piece of cinema. The edit has, in my opinion, spoiled the flow of the movie.
I'm not bitter, really! It's still a fantastic film, even surviving the American edit without completely disappointing.I suggest that you flip the proverbial bird to the distributors here in the US and get it from the source in the UK. (Of course you will need a region-free DVD player, plus multi-standard TV)
As a poor substitute you might want to check out "Groove", the more-alternative-than-thou movie about the SF rave scene. Great music, though give me the original Human Traffic any day.

Clubs, drugs, pubs, and parties... if you've been there, done that, you will get a huge kick out of this film, it is basically a coming of age story set in the lives of working class teenagers from Cardiff, and since it the late 1990s, they are into the rave scene. And why not? It's as well done of a film of this genre as I've ever seen, loads of slapstick humor, dream sequences, true-to-life dialogue & problems, etc. And it captures all of the frantic energy & buzz of an altered nite out on the town, as well as the inevitable comedown, without moralizing or judging its characters, emerging as a romantic comedy in the end! I loved it!

Some people don't seem to realize that a lot of people actually have or do live(d) like the characters in this film at some point in their lives, just because it stars British people and drugs are part of the plot doesn't mean it is a ripoff of Trainspotting, if Hollywood were honest then there would actually be Amercian films like this too. If anything it reminded me more of Go!

I'm not sure about the US release of this film, but it previewed here (New Zealand) in late 1999. The film is basically the real story of youth in the nineties which is: chemicals, clubs, bars, pubs, pushing the vinyl, blagging the guest list, mobile phones, trainers, combats, careless, monged, mashed, sorted, safe. And here it is in all its pupil-dilated, teeth-grinding, club-hopping glory. The slogan can't be closer to the truth "The weekend has well and truly landed."

This is Director Justin Kerrigan's first film, and as many new and up-and-comming directors this young man is on the right path to legendary status. His unqiue and often crazy visionary methods of camera use, colors and fast-paced characters mends well with the story and overtall focus of the film. This film is based on today's youth culture and if you've ever had a big night out on the drink, the buzz, and the total lapse of memory the next day, you'll enjoy this movie all the more. If you like indy british films mixed with fast-paced dialogue and a pumping soundtrack (moby, gatecrasher etc.) then you'll enjoy this very smart film.

As of now the US region 1 DVD details as to features, extras ect. are unavailable, however i do own a copy of the UK Region 2 disc, which presents the film in its entire wides0creen anamorphic format, and for an independent film project this is one hell of a transfer, in two words "totally flawless", lets hope the US release will enjoy the same quality.

The soundtrack is mixed in dolby 5.1 as well as 2.0 tracks, In my opionion the only way to enjoy this film and the outragous techno house beats is through the 5.1 channel. As extras you also get the traiers, TV spots, filmographies etc, same usual treatment most discs get these days, the only truely sad thing about this disc is no commentary track. You can't win them all. Overall this is one explosive film, that should not be missed.

...then you will appreciate this movie. If you have ever been a raver, club kid, or dj, you will be able to connect with these characters. Even if you haven't, this will give you a glimpse into the lives of those that have. From trying to get tickets to a sold out event, to meeting your crew before the night begins for the pre-show cocktails, to the after-after party at someone's house with the inevitable stoned 'Star Wars' discussions, this is the most true-to-life portrayal of the club scene that I have ever seen in a movie. Like most club kids, the characters are obsessed with the music that they go in search of every weekend. It is their common bond, and it has made a tight circle of friends that only music can create.
Yet, the movie is creative, too. It's not just a story of a bunch of kids going out for a night at a Cardiff club; it's also about how Kip, and Lulu, who have been close friends for quites some time now, and how they are destined to be with each other. It's about people who have terrible jobs and impressionable siblings. It's about realizing that maybe you do too many drugs.
Visually, it's great too; creative editing and interesting storytelling make for something different than most of the other rave-esque movies out there.
Adding to that sense of realism, the music here has been chosen and produced by Rob Mello, who is considered a legend in the underground house music scene that this movie is portraying. That addition makes it that much more believable to those watching.
That said, since this is a movie about a scene that is different from mainstream clubbing, some might not get it, and therefore not appreciate it. As I said though, if you are familiar with this type of culture, you'll love this movie.

I first heard about the movie when I was reading an article on DJ sensation Sasha, on a sidebar about things going on in the dance scene. He indicated that the the movie would probably do the same things for ecstasy culture as "Trainspotting" had done for heroin culture. I loved "Trainspotting" because of the quirky dialogue that occured between the film's witty, cynical, and outrageous characters, so I was really looking forward to this one.

Right off the bat you get a feel for who the characters are in this movie, a sort of familiarizing and "getting used to" the fun loudness that is played to perfection by each member of the cast. One aspect that I found particularly interesting is the way the personal problems each person was experiencing in their lives was blown up large scale in their own minds, in their own scenes, that both explained and justified how they would act later in the film. Problems such as sexual performance, trust in your partner, a feeling of "loosing it", and even the media's view of clubbers and the embarrasing fashion in which partygoers sometimes present themselves to the outside world. Although there is empathy and concern on the part of the friends involved in relation to the problems each individual character has, they in no way match in comparison to the torture created in the characters' own minds.

Another thing about the movie that I enjoyed is the way it can be easy to relate to each one of the outlandish characters in terms of the fears and inhibitions they have about everyday life. The characters, for the most part, are incredibly unhappy with their work lives, and anxiously await for the weekend to arrive and bring an end to the misery that is the reality of their daily lives.

The movie, quite simply, was brilliant...just a joy to watch. The characters are ones that have been performed to the point where its fun to look back and remember the adventures and frolicks of the characters themselves, not just certain scenes of a movie where a character would have his/her funny line, do a funny stunt, or otherwise only have a small and unimportant impact in the movie itself.

Human Traffic is an absolutely amazing film, I would definitely put it up there in my all time hall of fame type places. One of the best things about it is that the main characters are all real people, they're not glitzy Hollywood stars but people that you could really meet on a night out. Of course, that's not to say that they're nothing special as they're all people I'd like to know! Another of the best things is that you can really relate to this film if you've ever indulged. Everyone plays their parts perfectly, and I laughed my head off when one of my friends exclaimed that they even chew their gum "in that way". One word of warning though, the American version of the film has been slightly censored. This didn't really detract from my enjoyment of the movie, but is was a shame to see that some choice scenes had been cut. As I say though, don't let that put you off! It's still a wicked movie and it will have you grinning from ear to ear. "Reach for the lazers!"

Well just like every one else who has seen this on VHS im waiting for the DVD, The movie concentrates around Jip, Moff, Lulu, Koop and Nina all having [bad] jobs and living for the weekend, The movie follows just one of their crazy weekends in the extacy charged clubs they spend their weekends at, it looks that looks like this one will change their outlook on the rest of their lives, great movie put it in your cart right now.

Don't listen to the hype of the other reviews... this version of this film and the version that was shown in US theaters isn't half the film that the UK version is. Miramax cut so much of this film one would wonder what they were trying to do... but turn it into a romantic comedy!?! Plus, the PAL version of the DVD has a load of extras and music!!!

Lets just say this, one of the funniest moments in the film is the "I remember what kind of club this used to be" segment... and you won't find it in the US version. Plus, just about every drug reference has been changed.. including Moff's sequences. Brtish humor has been cut or overdubbed in the US version as well, so you won't see any East Enders jokes. Seriously, the amount of film that was cut for the US is too much to list here.

Don't believe the hype!!!! Buy yourself something that will play the PAL disc and buy it from Amazon.co.uk. You will be seeing the film the way it should be! The best rave movie I've seen.

I have no idea how the amazon reveiwer gave this a bad rating. Must have been watching the wrong movie i reckon. This is easily my favorite film. The characters are so real and likeable they could be your best mates. And often are. (watch this movie and youll understand)
I guess some people cant stand honesty when it comes to drugs, but this movie is not a preachy moralistic tale about the 'youth of today', its about a group of mates going out on a Friday night, an amazing night, insightful humor that produces more than one "oh my gaaaaaaaahhhhhdddd THATS ME!!!" from people,combined with a gritty reality that is so lacking in todays films.

My only critique is that some idiot thought it would be a good idea to edit out all the drug references for the US version.
Not to mention this makes for a far shorter movie (heh), it really looses the point in some bits (not to mention creeeepy).
If youre looking for the uncut version, get it from Amazon.co.uk
Get this film!! You wont regret it!!

NICE ONE BRUVVVAAAAAAH!! Hee heee!!