58 of 63 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Much more than you might expect, August 24, 2004
Obviously, this is a movie people either love or hate. Put me in the "love" category. I'm no James Cameron fan, and I found the first hour or so of "Titanic" so pretensious that I almost couldn't get through it. So I was shocked to find how much I loved "Strange Days." This is a gutsy film that takes a lot of chances in terms of plot, performance and presentation -- American critics claim that's what they want in American movies and, yet, when such a film comes around, they berate it for such.
At its most basic level, "Strange Days" is a thriller -- futuristic film noir, with all of the traditional characters. But don't let the title or the plot summaries fool you -- this is a film that is less about new technology, science fiction and the future, and much more about the volatility of race and police relations in the USA, laced with strong athemes of unrequited love, trust, and the darker side of massive urban cities in the USA -- all presented in a frighteningly authentic manner. This is a character-driven movie, not an effects-driven one.
This is also an ensemble piece, where even characters with just a few lines are essential to the mood and presentation, as well as giving the main actors juicy moments to play off of. Director Kathryn Bigelow maintains a frantic, claustrophobic pace in this film, never going for the obvious -- every scene has a point, big or small, which you know in the moment or that you will learn about later. The soundtrack enhances the visuals in a way rarely experienced in a modern film.
If nothing else, you will love Angela Bassett. She's amazing not for the kung fu moves -- her character is the voice of reason, and her performance is stunningly genuine (and heart-breaking at times).
This movie is as flawed, and as classic, as Bladerunner. Time will tell if it gets as much respect.
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48 of 53 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Strange Days - Don't believe the negative reviews., April 26, 2000
Strange Days is one of those love /hate films. I first saw it in London on the day of release, in the cinema. I sat there stunned, gripped by the immersive visuals, virtual technology and brutal storyline set against the turn of the millenium.
Repeated viewings on dvd have proved this movie to be a thought provoking, rollercoaster ride. Not since Bladerunner has the blend of new technology and 20th century decadence been so well mixed. The Squib technology is fascinating, with so much potential; within the context of the film it is pornography that drives the market (parallels with the internet?)and provides Fiennes' character with painful revists of his lost love.
There are blips in the plot where it thins, the casting is a little skewed, but stick with it and witness the stunning events that unfold. I felt the energy of the millenium countdown at the end of the film actually eclipsed the real night here in London.
Recommended; definitely up there with Terminator,Bladerunner, Aliens et al.
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19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Turn of the Century Thriller That Has Aged Far Better Than Those Y2K Readiness Manuals., March 6, 2006
Released in 1995 this film imagines a distant future of 1999 where gas is over $2.oo a gallon(imagine that)and people want to experience the reality of other people's lives without leaving their own homes.The SQUID technology that allows characters to record what they see and sell it to others(demonstrated in the terrific P.O.V. opening)is used by a killer to record his brutal murders.The responsability to find the killer falls into the lap of washed up cop now tech pimp Ralph Fiennes.Hopelessly obsessed with his ex-girlfriend and his recorded memories of her it's up to a tough limo driver Angela Bassett to help him pull it together.Predating our obsession with reality T.V. by years Strange Days is amazing on many different levels.It was a failure on it's initial release due to the lack of big box office stars.Fortunately what director Kathryn Bigelow did was get people who were right for the part.Instead of being a macho hero Fiennes is emotionally wounded yet charismatic.Instead of being just another pretty face to kick butt Angela Bassett is also the film's emotional anchor.At the time this one of the biggest movies ever to be directed by a woman and it's clearly a labor of love.From the diverse music selection from Deep Forest to versions of PJ Harvey songs to the fact that it's more character based than full of mindless action and has some very clever camerawork you tell she put a lot of thought into creating this film.The New Year's Eve climax is guaranteed to get your blood boiling and is one of the most dramatic endings ever staged.Filmed almost entirely at night in a neon lit world of clubs it's as visually impressive today as it was 10 years ago.If you've never seen this movie you need to check it out...it's one of the best forgotten movies of the 90's.
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