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Altered States [1980]
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One of the silliest films I have ever seen
Review date: 2008-01-13 Rating: 2 out of 10
This is one of the silliest films I have ever seen. Set against that, I rarely watch American films so there are probably worse. At best Altered States is laughable; at worst it is tedious. The themes were vague and variable. Overall it came across as a pastiche of the worst aspects of a number of films and TV shows. Perhaps the people who produced it came up with it sitting drinking beer round a table late one night. It gives the impression of someone 'avvin' a laff'.
So what were its origins? The graphics were the worst that 2001 Space Odyssey could muster. Endless travelling down poorly rendered tunnels. Yawn! There was an idea of sorts about the origins and make-up of humanity but it was trivial and not developed. There were ludicrous scenes straight out of Planet of the Apes and the Incredible Hulk, but less well done. Perhaps the Jekyll and Hyde theme could have been taken further, but it wasn't.
The scientists were of two kinds. The first was the dopy, spaced-out variety from the TV show The Fast Show. The other was the sort who solves all problems by shouting very loudly. These are found in most disaster films of course. The hero was an etiolated, doe-eyed new man with a problem. He spouted meaningless trivia that sounded significant. He should have been a politician. There was a lot of psycho-babble about why he could not commit to love. He needed to find himself in life's great history of course.
The only interesting part was the drug scene in Mexico. Here we were treated to an episode out of Macbeth. The cauldron bubbled and there was a lot of muttering as strange ingredients were thrown into the pot. I didn't see any toads though. The guru was the only convincing character in the whole film. Clearly a charlatan, evidenced by his cynical grin and inability to look you in the eye, he was the local dealer, supplying extremely dubious substances to a chemical orgy. Shame they didn't fit in any zombies at this point in the plot.
So how does it end? Much, much too late. Well, the final theme is redemption through love. Earlier in the film the love interest was limited to opportunities for the display of some remarkably large and erect nipples. At the end the earth truly moved for both of them, along with the bowels of the viewer.
This could have been made in the sixties, but shouldn't have been even then. I am just grateful that I only rented it.
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Reviews
Enthralling, fascinating and gripping.
Review date: 2007-09-13 Rating: 10 out of 10
Are you looking for something different? This film is most definitely that. I am writing this in a post-hypnotic buzz after just watching this film and I'm still a little spaced out.
I think I just sat through 90 minutes of people yelling at one another in a mad demented professorial kind of way. The acting was real and everything fitted well. This movie keeps you thinking all the way through; it grabs your mind and sucks, then keeps on sucking.
This is not a horror movie, but it has a sharp edge of horrific to it. Jessup walks that edge throughout, in his passionate search for answers. This film has the feel of 'too good to be true', where you are aware that something is enjoyable but it could all go horribly wrong at any moment. Jessup keeps you balanced at that point, not knowing whether his next experiement will destroy him. Expertly done.
This is certainly not a 'live happily ever after' kind of movie. It will leave you with questions, but not the usual sort of 'huh, so what was that about?' which you get after some particularly bad script writing. Prepare to question life, the nature of the universe and existence.
Horror but not Horror
Review date: 2007-08-04 Rating: 10 out of 10
There's something about this movie. Released around the time of such visual breakthroughs as Alien and Blade Runner it concentrated its visual onslaught into premeditated segments which were definately 'out there'.
Its basically a retelling of Jekyll & Hyde (I think) but with a modern flavor given by mind-altering mushrooms and dangerous post-grad experimentation with frontier psychology.
Its a visual treat even now. The shot of Jessup arriving at the party, framed in light like some angelic visitation, still makes me smile. Not subtle but it was followed by a conversation about single men at parties involving peanut butter which is part of its charm.
Though it gets rather silly at the end its a cracking story which hopefully no rich Hollywood idiot will ever try to remake.
Still scares me 25 years later
Review date: 2006-01-08 Rating: 10 out of 10
This film first scared me about 12 months before I saw it - there was an article in OMNI magazine featuring a selection of stills, which freaked me out.
It was, therefore, with some trepidation that I approached a chance to see it at the cinema. I have it at home now and it really is so well-made that it still "does it to me" even after all this time. This is largely due to the marvellous score by John Corigliano.
I think that Blair Brown's performance as the hapless wife is hugely underrated. The FX were groundbreaking then and still highly effective now.
My personal scariest moment is the one where one of Jessup's subjects "trips out". Her facial expression and the words of the script conspire to make me uneasy even now.
Stands the Test of Time
Review date: 2005-12-28 Rating: 8 out of 10
Altered States not only is a very important "coming out" of actor William Hurt, but his portrayal of Dr. Jessup is exsquisitely understated just as it needs to be. I enjoyed this film on 2 levels. First, the obvious plotline. It was quickly paced and entertaining and one did not even have to understand the premise of Jessup's research to enjoy the film. Second, however, was the theoretical concept he was pursuing. If one does his research on this, it will add more substance to the film's premises as there is a body of evidence to support his hypothesis. What that hypothesis IS needs to be found out by the viewer. Also note the over the top perfomaince of Charles Haig, of Hill Street Blues fame. I like clinically correct, or almost clinically correct, films of this genre and this one, 25 years later, still will intrigue.
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Thaao Penghlis
William Hurt
Charles Haid
Bob Balaban
Blair Brown
Creators:
William Hurt (Primary Contributor)
Blair Brown (Primary Contributor)
Director(s):
Recording label: Warner Home Video
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
EAN: 7321900110761
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2005-11-21
Audience rating: Suitable for 18 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 99 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1980
Language: English (Original Language)