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Johnny Mnemonic [1996]


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Our Brain is a USB key looking for its USB plug
Review date: 2008-08-09 Rating: 10 out of 10

A fascinating film that brings together several genres and also several influences. First the technical level of virtual reality and computerized graphics. Interesting though not exceptionally original (see for one example The Lawnmower Man). Second the Japanese, Chinese, Honk Kong, Kung Fu type of action. There it is in a way renewed because it is grafted onto, into or under another type of post-apocalyptic vision that is typically American: underground resistance (with one of the archetypes being the Terminator trilogy, or The Running Man) or people who refuse the modern slavery imposed by the corporate trust that governs and controls the world, through dependence on data-processing machines that create a nervous disorder that is both incurable and catching. The models of this underground vision are numerous. Here he sets it in the guts of an old decaying bridge, so over-ground and over-water, in between two banks it does not join any more. Great. The film adds to that a small dose of brain manipulation, mind torturing with elements that have been made famous by The Matrix trilogy for example. The most original element is that the brain is used as a data transporting device that cannot be hacked or pirated since it is not going through a digital network. And the last load of data comes from China (the future of the world?) though it is ridden with riots and rioting crowds (the anti-Chinese-communist element?) and has to be taken to the USA, Newark mind you, to be offered to the world for its own salvation by the underground resistance (the American boy-scout do-good syndrome?). Then the other interesting elements are more isolated elements here and there than structuring elements. The dolphin that this poor Johnny obstinately calls a fish is a nice piece of animal and mammal lore that makes the dolphin the saving intercessor of humanity. The criminal Christian preacher who crucifies his victims in the name of Jesus and God is a wink against the fake Christians who are selfish and interested, even greedy in money and power bigots. And the final liberation with a final scene of natural vegetation and landscape with real natural colors is very similar to the end of the third Matrix. But this time the intercessor, messenger or courier did not have to be sacrificed and he finds a new lease in life with some restored memory. Interesting indeed, but within a full background without which it looks slightly dry and sterile.

Dr Jacques COULARDEAU, University Paris Dauphine, University Paris 1 Pantheon Sorbonne & University Versailles Saint Quentin en Yvelines


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Reviews


Fun sci-fi
Review date: 2004-03-17 Rating: 8 out of 10

There is alot to like in this film, but if you can't bear Keanu Reeves don't waste your time, the film completely revolves around his space age courier.

Johnny is used to carrying around large chunks of information by downloading it straight into his brain and is well paid for it, but this time he has downloaded too much data and his brain will turn to mush unless he can get it out soon. Our hero ends up in a race against time and whilst he tries to save himself he encounters a resistance movement who have their own interest in the information he carries.

This is good fun. There are some interesting ideas (as you would expect from cyber-punk author turned screenwriter William Gibson) and they are well executed. The story itself is a bit daft but watchable and the actors do a fine job.

This is not a film that will change your life or make you gasp at its amazing vision of the future, but accept it for what it is, simple sci-fi escapism, and you should enjoy it.

Don't buy it expecting to see something similar to The Matrix, though. This is completely different story and style-wise. The only thing they have in common is Mr Reeves.

For cyberpunk and Keanu Reeves fans, but maybe not for all
Review date: 2001-03-27 Rating: 6 out of 10

With cyberpunk master William Gibson penning both the script and the short story it came from, you'd be expecting great things from this movie. And if you've seen The Matrix, you know Reeves can do cyberpunk. Does this live up to your expectations?

Reeves is a high tech courier, delivering information for the Japanese mafia in a chip embedded in his skull. On the run from high tech corporations and the yakuza he encounters low tech freedom fighters and talking dolphins, in the kind of city where you'd expect Snake Plissken to walk round the corner any minute.

It's great fun. And if Keanu Reeves is your bag, you'll enjoy it. As a cyberpunk tale it's pretty good, but as a movie it's just not as good as you'd hope for. Plot holes and dreadful dialogue mean it just can't rise to the occasion.

Nevertheless, I'll be queueing up for the DVD :-)

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Keanu Reeves
Dina Meyer
Ice-T
Dolph Lundgren
Takeshi Kitano

Creators:
Keanu Reeves (Primary Contributor)
Dolph Lundgren (Primary Contributor)
François Protat (Cinematographer)
Don Carmody (Producer)
Jean Desormeaux (Producer)
Robert Lantos (Producer)
Staffan Ahrenberg (Producer)
Victoria Hamburg (Producer)
William Gibson (Writer)

Director(s):

Recording label: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
EAN: 5039036012164
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL, Widescreen,
Release date: 2004-04-19
Number of discs: 1
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Audience rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 93 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1995-05-26
Language: English (Original Language)
Language: Japanese (Original Language)

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