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Reviews
Starship Troopers (1997)
Extra Crispy !!
This one's truly enjoyable. If you want a pastiche of American moral standard (at least the way Hollywood shows it), then you've got it. Ferocious allusions (Vietnam War, Nazi looking officers working hand in hand with GI-like guys, Maccarthyst ads ...), sardonic humour, ultraviolence are sown all throughout this movie. Verhoeven even provided a pseudo-moral ending with guys cheering up for their victory, a laughing glance at painful sci-fi flicks (ID-4, Stargate). So, if you're looking for a classic good sci-fi film, forget it !
Somehow, this movie raises a question : how did Verhoeven manage to have this movie produced by a commercial american studio ? The result is, of course, a relative commercial failure in the US, and a relative success all over the world (just take a look as IMDB stats about US/non US voters and compare with the same stats for ID-4 !) However, it seems Verhoeven has been brought back to the right way considering the ridiculous stereotyped Hollow Man.
My rating for these mean Troopers : 10/10 !
Nadie conoce a nadie (1999)
Nice cynical thriller in Sevilla
Although similar to "The Game" this movie is far more believable . The storyline is clear, the action goes on gradually. Another good thing about it is that the actors are quite unknown (at least out of Spain !) which help to build efficient and believable characters.
There are some minor flaws but the entire movie is not spoilt by typical Hollywood clichés. I peculiarly loved the cynical end, that was a fine way to close that film.
Nice crafty work : 8/10
The Sixth Sense (1999)
Best ending ? Well check it out twice, you'll notice it's real bad
SPOILER ALERT
First of all I must admit that most of the movie is quite OK. But this ending .... Well I have to SPOIL, you're warned :
So the guy is dead. And he notices that when he sees his wife crying over his wedding ring or whatever (I can't remember exactly). And that's supposed to be very powerful. In fact we're given clues (no one ever really speks to him, but it's not very obvious so you can't guess). Well, that's just PLAIN STUPID ! How can the guy hang around for month without noticing he's dead ??? - No one speaks to him - How can he open doors ? Does he walk through walls ? - How can he eat ? If he doesn't then he should realize there's something weird, shouldn't he? etc etc etc (See slothfratelli's review, it's more complete !! ) In one word it is impossible. I really felt cheated when I saw this. So, please if you liked the end, check it twice : you've been cheated.
By the way, I read some reviews where the author supposedly guessed everything and found this movie predictable. I wonder how you can predict such an illogical end. Really, I wonder.
Above all, I still don't understand why such a small amount of people noticed the conclusion of this movie was awfully illogical (less than 10% if we admit IMDB reviews are statistically representative).
Considering all this, the 6th sense deserves no more than 4/10.
Independence Day (1996)
Worth seeing because beyond the borders of silliness
I saw this film when it was shown on the french TV. I knew it was stupid so I wouldn't watch it at the theater, nor rent it. But it was beyond my expectations... My rating ? 1/10, for the time spent.
During the first quarter I was astonished, wondering if it was a pastiche or a serious film. I started giggling during the next quarter. After that I was really getting annoyed. You have to see it to believe it. This movie is incredibly stuuuupid. Each minute you're offered dozens of clichés, annoying dialogs and pathetic plot clues.
However, below, you will find two types of comments about this film
1) The common one : this film is completely stupid 2) The gentle one : turn of your brain and enjoy the movie with pleasure. Great effects, etc ....
To the former ones, of course, I agree. To the latter ones I am worried about their mental health. Anyway, what is that supposed to mean "turn off your brain" ? Stand in front of the screen and be insulted during two hours ? Because that's what happens if you watch this piece of crap. And don't tell me this film is not serious. Maybe the actors are having fun but I'm not. How can they expect people to laugh at their two-cent jokes or be interested by their foolish story ?
However there is an interest in watching this film : you can enjoy even more Mars Attacks and Starship Troopers !
But, if there is and ID4-2, please boycott.
The Thirteenth Floor (1999)
Surprise ! Cleaner than the Matrix and in the end better
Well, at first sight it looks like a common B-movie. But nice surprise ! The acting and directing is very clean, temperate. Special effects are just there to strengthen the plot, and that plot is damn' interesting. Descartes's quotation (I think Therefore I am) was very well chosen.
Of course this movie reminds the Matrix. But the story is better and the special FXs don't invade the screen as they do in the Matrix.
It seems that some people remember that a sci-fi movie does not just need tremendous effects. Good work guys, carry on.
My rating : 10/10