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Altered States [1980] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
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Often these types of films can come across as cheesy & more comical than frightening. This is more often than not accompanied by poor acting, which doesn't help matters as the actors rarely come across as convincing given the situations they find themselves in. No such problems with Altered States. I think it's a classic example of the genre & demonstrates that as weird & unlikely as a plot might be it can still come across as convincing genuinely eerie if handled right i.e. good acting, good script, compelling story line & maybe some decent special FX. All to often these days the special FX seem to be put before everything else & as such films of this genre lack substance & usually don't amount to much outside of the box office. For me the special FX in this film still stand up & look good. They are of the kind that's become something of a lost art in the world of digital CGI FX overkill! The trip sequences are extremely surreal & somewhat disturbing in parts but there are some great sequences that definitely start to mess with your head! The part where Dr.Jessup regresses into primitive man is very eerie & convincing. IMO a classic of the genre. They simply don't make them like this anymore. I'd give this film 4 stars overall but I'm stretching to a 5 because it's a personal favourite.
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Classy sci-fi/horror
Review date: 2005-05-04 Rating: 10 out of 10
William Hurt is fantastic in this film as the brilliant scientist (Dr. Eddie Jessup) who is disillusioned with 'normal' life & seeking a greater truth beyond the boundaries of science & religion. The supporting cast are also brilliant. Blair Brown as Jessup's long suffering & concerned wife, Bob Balaban as his friend & colleague, Arthur (a familiar face from films such as close Encounters of the third kind & 2010) & Charles Haid as the highrate a initially highly sceptical (and it his to be said hugely entertaining) Mason Parish.
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Reviews
Trippy film, really about evolution.
Review date: 2001-04-05 Rating: 6 out of 10
Based on a true story, if you can believe it. This is probably Ken Russells best film. William Hurt goes into a isolation tank on DMT and hallucinates religious imagary that'll knock yer socks off. After a few 'trips' Hurt de-evolves and becomes an apelike primative. Very strange, if you can take it. Recomended to those of us who don't just like watching Star Wars.
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Thaao Penghlis
William Hurt
Charles Haid
Bob Balaban
Blair Brown
Director(s):
Recording label: Warner Home Video
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
EAN: 9786305133131
Binding: DVD
ISBN: 6305133131
Number of items: 1
Format: AC-3, Anamorphic, Closed-captioned, Colour, Dolby, DVD-Video, Full Screen, Widescreen, NTSC,
Release date: 1998-12-29
Universal product code (UPC): 085391107620
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
DVD layers: 1
DVD sides: 2
Picture format: Anamorphic WidescreenPan & Scan
Region code: 1
Running time: 103 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1980-12-25
Language: English (Original Language)
Language: French (Original Language)
Language: English (Subtitled)
Language: French (Subtitled)