Rating: 
Summary: Good Sci-Fi for the science literate.
Review: Anyone who has studied genetics knows that this is not sci-fi, at least not for long. The day will come, barring some dramatic catastrophe that destroys human civilization, when we will deliberately alter the human genome to suit or wants, and (we will presume) our needs. It will all start out rather innocently; say pre-birth immunity to certain diseases like Malaria, Alzheimer's, or certain cancers. But eventually designer children will come, and when they do, natural selection will be determined by your birth therapist. This movie is very clever in how it deals with the social aspects of this possible (and perhaps unavoidable) future. As they say in the movie, ' we now have discrimination down to a science'. You can't help but feel for the main character Vincent, who is a 'faith birth', because all of us (except perhaps Al Gore) were born naturally, without gene therapy. So we would all face discrimination, which is another interesting point the movie hints at. Who cares about the color of your skin anymore, we're more interested in what your genome looks like. This kind of sci-fi is based in science too, not in explosions, space car chases, or gritty unshaven (and possibly inebriated) main characters that make wise cracks every 30 seconds. There aren't many technologies in this movie that aren't possible right now either, giving it its not-too-distant future feel. Another aspect I liked was the costume design, and architecture incorporated in this film, which all come from various parts of LA, and Orange County. They gave a very minimalist feel to the movie, which is apparently one of the best and easiest ways to convey a futuristic setting. It's never too much to presume that 40's fashion and art deco might not come back into style either. If the 70's can be considered cool again, I guess anything is possible... I was deeply impressed with this movie when I saw it in the theatre. I was living in L.A. at the time, so maybe that's why it was actually IN theatres. Genetics has been an interest of mine (probably ever since I was a kid watching GI Joe, and Cobra genetically engineered Serpentor), and so when I saw the adverts for this movie I knew I wanted to see it. This was the movie that changed my opinion about Ethan Hawke, who I couldn't stand after seeing that piece of [junk], Reality Bites. He actually convinced me that he was Vincent (and then Jerome). I wouldn't suggest this movie to just anyone however. Here's a litmus test (and if you don't know what that is then you've already failed): If you thought the movie Armageddon was good sci-fi, or for that matter even watchable, it's probably best to stay away from this movie. It's probably way beyond your ability to grasp, what with its subtleties, social commentary, and lack of stunt work, or professional wrestler cameo's. To everyone else with an I.Q. over 100 this movie may appeal to you, and therefore I recommend it.
Rating: 
Summary: I'm not sure what everyone's so excited about...
Review: Unfortunately, the only good thing I could mention about this film is Jude Law's acting... Lets start with the fact that THERE ARE NO EXTRAS WHATSOEVER on this DVD - which I find very disappointing, especially since the movie is trying to promote a certain abstract ideal, which a commentary with the director / screenwriter would have promoted. The only way I colud discribe the acting, especially that of the 2 main stars is "terrible". Even when I consider the fact that both characters had something to hide or resent about the other, I found the acting to be too mechanical, like a couple of robots had replaced Uma Thurman and Ethan Hawke... I've seen both in different roles in the past, and both are obviously very talented, so the problem isn't them but the plot and script... I've finally reached the worst part of the movie for me: the plot. The story had a feeling that "I've been there and seen that" - because it is all just a big cliche. I realized what the ending was and the movie's message was from the first minute of the movie. The hardest for me to understand, were the many logic slips in the story. Please give the following some thought: 1) Vincent is described as a potentially very sick person - which wouldn't be the case for a large part of the 'In - Valids'. Most In - valids would be perfectly normal. If so, why would the healthier & intelligent ones be able to apply to Gattaca (or any other firm)? Isn't it in Gattaca's best interest to take the best people, whether they're valids or in - valids? If traits like determination and motivation are so important, why would Gatacca ignore them so easily? 2) If all of Vincent's problems could be remedied - his eye sight for instance - why would they be a prbolem for Gattaca in the first place? Heart conditions usually don't develop all of the sudden - they can be found a while before they cause any serious problems - which means that if Vincent was healthy, he would have no problem working for Gattaca. Otherwise, he would not only be risking his life, but the lives of the rest of his crew members (not to mention equipment and training which would cost dearly to Gattaca). Is fulfiling one man'd dream worth so much damage to others? In general, I don't think this story can serve as a moral for our world. It only sees the world in black and white, and ignores a lot of issues that might blur those extremes.
Rating: 
Summary: A Genetically Enhanced Movie
Review: In the not too distant future, science has perfected the technique to genetically enhance babies before they are even implanted into the mother's womb. Vincent (played by Ethan Hawke) was not genetically enhanced (a "god" child, as they call these people) and tests conducted immediately after he was born showed him to be riddled with possible medical problems. His younger brother, Anton, was. While everyone repeatedly told Anton how far he could go, they told Vincent never to expect to go anywhere. In a society that heaps praises and opportunities on the genetically pure, there is a black market where people like Vincent can, for a price, take over the identity of people like Jerome (played by Jude Law), a genetically enhanced man who is now confined to a wheelchair. With his new identity, along with Jerome's blood, skin cells, hair, etc., Vincent is able to pursue his dream of going into outer space. But a murder, in which Vincent accidentally leaves a DNA trace of his real self at the scene, threatens to derail his plans. This is an outstanding movie that has something for everyone. Science Fiction, drama, romance, mystery, and even some action. Ethan Hawke, Uma Thurman (who plays Irene, Vincent's love interest) and Jude Law all give some of the best performances of their careers. This vision of the future is creepy, though not beyond what we think it could be like. The storyline is extremely compelling, and the "coda" in the special feature part of the DVD will give you a lot to think about. "Gattaca" is worth adding to your collection so that you can watch it over and over again.
Rating:
Summary: "Gattaca"
Review: Gattaca (PG-13) ****/5
Ethan Hawke, Uma Thurman, Alan Arkin, Jude Law, Loren Dean.
Directed by: Andrew Niccol.
Synopsis: In the future where genes control who you become a young man switches places with one of the elite.
Special Features: None! This is a Super-Bit disc.
Review: In a world where genes control everything about your life a young man who thinks he can be more switches place with a crippled elite. However people begin to suspect something may be wrong. A deep, cautionary drama Gattaca may be slow moving, but it is beautiful. There is a lot to get out of this film, prejudice, being more than people tell you, and sibling rivalry are just a few. This film often dallies in unimportant things, but for the most part this is a stunning Sci-fi/drama/romance. Ethan Hawke, Uma Thurman, and Jude Law are in top form. The rest of the cast complements them splendidly. Andrew Niccol proves he is a director with places to go, but he may want to work on his pacing. As for the DVD? Superbit sacrifices special features for picture and sound and for a film like Gattaca I appreciate that.
Rating:
Summary: OUR "NOT TOO-DISTANT FUTURE"?
Review: Some people compare this film to Orwell's 1984, but in all honesty, this film is far closer to Aldous Huxley's Brave New World, where an infant's occupation is determined at birth. My roommate was surprised that I had never seen the movie Gattaca. I was even more surprised when he told me that it was entirely plot driven, had virtually no special effects at all, no aliens, etc. I had to see this movie! And sure enough, this movie lived up to my high expectations. The story was thought-provoking and went at a nice pace. The characters are likeable and do a good job of acting. The VALIDS in the film all look like movie stars at an awards ceremony, whereas the IN-VALIDS look flawed--like a movie-star that didn't bother to put makeup on. I normally don't notice the music when I first see a movie, but Gattaca has some noteworthy background music. "Brave New World", "1984", and "We" had one thing in common--a powerful ending. I was pleased to see that Gattaca continued this tradition--in fact, it was the ending that prompted me to give this movie 5 stars--prior to it, I was thinking either 4 or 4 and a half. If you love science fiction, it's almost guaranteed you'll love this movie.
Rating:
Summary: No post modern fantasy- this is tomorrow, if not today....
Review: I've read that this movie is considered "post-modern fantasy" by some. It is not. This film is an allegory based on our own "corporate culture." It is also a story in the tradition of Orwell's _1984_. The difference is that a corporate totalitarian state and not a socialist totalitarian state is described. The results are essentially the same, mind-numbing conformity and a tiny elite in control.
When you see the absolute conformity of this society backed by random and ubiquitous genetic testing, you cannot fail to see the direction that our own society is heading. The dictatorship of I.Q. Testing, Personality Testing, Drug Testing, combined with employment records, educational transcripts, social security numbers, green cards, and a national ID card, all essentially equals Gattica (i.e. you are classified and graded as a commodity and are locked into that classification for life.) As the main character finds out, even though he is a better astro-navigator than anyone else, the corporate system will only hire him as a janitor, because he is genetically "in-valid." It is also a nice touch that such descrimination is technically against the law, but the corporations in charge ignore those laws....
This is scary stuff- and uncomfortably close to the truth.
Rating:
Summary: Original, poetic film
Review: I have ignored this film since its release few years ago. This film came to my attention only when it was voted the 2nd best science fiction movie of all time in Wired Magazine recently. Although I had some doubts then, but I decided to give it a try on DVD since the film is considered better than Star Wars,2001 and The Matrix by Wired Magazine. Wow! I have now realised what I have been missing. The film is intelligent and uplifting, the acting is superb(especially Jude Law)and the music score is beautiful, simply one of the best in recent memory. Andrew Niccol did a great job directing. It is one of those rare gems that are much rewarded by subsequent viewings and it stirs those feelings everyone has -"Am I good enough?","Could I be better at what I do?","A person is good at what he/she does because of genetic makeup or the effort put in?" For most viewers, this is indeed a deeply provocative and breathtaking film, cumulating in a bitter-sweet ending that lingers around long after the credits end. I shall say no more, anybody that has not watched GATTACA should go and see it immediately. Highly recommended.
Rating: 
Summary: Superbit edition suffers from same flaw as most - lost stuff
Review: As with too many other SuperBit editions, this one
simply dumped the special features (documentary
featurette in this case) present on the original edition. I'm not sure when this studio's going to clue in that
the main reason people buy DVD over VHS is
extra features. Maybe they are starting to understand
this, as both The Patriot and Hollow Man [why? it was a total waste of film...] have been issued as "SuperBit Deluxe" editions with an extra disc containing the special features that were on the original "NormalBit" release. So why not this treatment with Gattaca? I'll stick to my original version, thanks. Barely perceptable increase in video quality simply isn't enough of a draw to dump the documentary extras.
Rating:
Summary: A SciFi Classic
Review: Gattaca is destined to be one of the all time great science fiction movies and can be placed in the same class that 2001: A Space Odyssey is in. When I first saw this movie, I had no preconceived notions of what I was about to witness and was not even expecting to enjoy myself, but I received a ver pleasant surprise. This is a well conceived, evenly paced, and brilliantly acted movie portraying a not too distant future. While the sets and characters are obviously very stylized, I could not help but think about how much of this movie's depiction of the future could be possible. While a science fiction movie with vision of the future powerful enough to make one think - at it's core, the movie is a story about determination, heart, and mankinds overwhelming urge to succeed regardless of the odds. In some ways, I was reminded of the movie Rocky, as both films depict individuals who overcome insurmountable odds and their lack of advantages in order to obtain a goal that is viewed as impossible. As for the DVD - it is terrific also. The video and sound quality is excellent being presented in anamorphic 2.35:1 and Dolby Digital 5.1 respectively. There isn't an overwhelming collection of extras provided but the featurette and the deleted scenes are nice and provide insight into the making of the film. All in all - Well done! I would recommend this movie to anyone, and do so frequently.
Rating:
Summary: Worthwhile
Review: I really liked this movie, because I am one of two children, and while my brother is almost like Vincent's brother, I believe that personal ambition, discipline, want, desire,...that those things all effect overall success in life. This DVD, though not with super special effects etc., reveals something about human struggles...not just that humans struggle, or why they struggle, but also the sweet taste of success, the "why" to trying. Why do get get back up after being kicked down? Because definately, not just "maybe," if we keep trying, we WILL make it, it WILL pay off, even if there are sacrifices, even if there are hardships. That is what this movie shows, and I like it for that. No, it's not as action-packed Matrix-like film, nor is it heart-wrenching like Braveheart, but LIKE Braveheart, this shows that there are costs, and like Matrix, it shows that the good guys CAN win, and that the power of mind is everything.
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