Rollerball

Rating:
Summary: this was the first one
Review: the other "Rollerball" isn't even worth the name of 're-make' I'd say it was just the same old soup warmed over, typical Hollywood repetion as opposed to imaginative script writing.

Rating:
Summary: Time-tested lost classic
Review: I picked this flick up while wondering through a department store not long ago. I remember watching it when I was a kid and being wowed by the ultraviolence (now, seemingly timid compared to modern film standards). This is a lost classic folks, one which deserves to be seen again (and probably again). The DVD package has a nice presentation. Rollerball, as mentioned in other reviews here, has that timeless element that has staying power but is only slightly dated by the mid-70s texture and feel of many surealistic films being made at the time. While not quite the complete package as a whole, Rollerball stands along side Soylent Green in its visual texture and ominous warnings of corrupt corporatists. I also viewed the film as more of a socio-political statement more than ever beofore. It turns out to be somewhat of a paradox where corporate capitalism ultimately results in a communist framework where the individual is devalued (another reviewer described it as gentile fascism, which I think IS communism). The point is, this lost world where Rollerball is the only emotional outlet in a world with no books is all too prophetic when looking at some of the massive corporate consumption going on these days (i.e. media conglomerates and oil company pacts). The film is slow in some places though.

Your most humble and loyal servant, Dixonator

Rating:
Summary: Good, but allowances must be made
Review: "Rollerball" is an anti-WTO protestor's worst dream. It takes place in 2018, when nations have ceased to exist and corporations have winnowed themselves out through destructive, competitive wars. The result is a kind of genteel fascism where people are taken care of with a high standard of living BUT are subect to the whims and fancy of the corporation. Cities are devoted to one industry only: Houston is the "Energy City"; Chicago the "Food City" and so on.

The hero of the film is "Jonathon E.", star player for the Houston Rollerball team. Rollerball the game is a gruesome combination of Roller Derby, Motocross, Football and Hockey, yet a good deal more violent and deadly than any of those. An Energy Corporation executive (John Houseman) urges Jonathon E. to retire at the peak of his game, ostensibly as a favor but really because he wants to demonstrate to the masses the "futility of individual effort" and a standout like Jonathon E. keeps lousing up the concept.

Jonathon is tempted to take the offer, but refuses, partly because he doesn't like to be told what to do and partly, we think, because his life would be so empty without Rollerball. His wife left him several years ago and he's about to break up with his girlfriend. His sole friendship seems to be with a fellow player, Moonpie (the incredibly handsome John Beck).

As you might suspect, the plot thickens in ways I won't spoil. One of director Jewison's goals was to show Rollerball in its violence without making it seem attractive, and he succeeds. In some other ways, though, the film hasn't always held up. A certain nineteen-seventy-five-ishness shows in the men's leisure suits, the women's fondness for caftans and long, knotted hair, and the computer-friendly numerals that appear on eveything from elevator buttons to Rollerball jerseys (and today only on your personal checks). The exterior shots still look untramod, though, having been filmed mostly at the 1972 Olympic Village and BMW headquarters in Munich.

Interior shots are frequently dominated by blinding white and oppressive orange, orange being the theme color for Energy and therefore for Houston. Many of the interior sequences are overlit, which I'm not sure is attributable to the film itself or to the DVD transfer.

To me the film loses some momentum about two-thirds of the way through after Moonpie's exit, when Jonathon goes through a soul-searching period. What I suppose was meant to be elegaic turns out to be lethargic, and the film just plods on until the final climactic game.

I shudder to realize how many sports stadiums today are named for a beer company, utility company, airline and so on. Nonetheless, I don't think we are doomed to a "Rollerball" future. Small towns today complain that they miss the old days of being "company towns" and strive toward the stability of a diversified economy. Globalization brings turbulence but also economic diversity.

I liked "Rollerball," but somewhat less than the first time I saw it, in theaters back in 1975. It is still entertaining, though, and still has a message. Caan, Beck, Houseman, Maud Adams and the others all turn in good performances. Ralph Richardson has a delightful star turn as a befuddled librarian who seems unable to outthink his computers. This may not be ground-shaking science fiction, but it is good.

Rating:
Summary: Provocative story and brilliant production.
Review: James Caan as Johnathan E. has now become a legendary science fiction character, and so has the sport known as "rollerball." The story is that of a futuristic society (a world controlled by corporations) that gets emotional release in the title game, which becomes increasingly violent as the film goes on. Slow-moving in spots but unforgettable; the point is that if Johnathan can survive in a totolatarian-ish state, then so can the rest of the world when faced with larger-than-life enemies. The excellent film is rated R for violence.

Rating:
Summary: Film holds up well
Review: I just saw this film again and was very impressed at how well its held up against time. It suffers somewhat from a 1970s modernism (the BMW corporate HQ in Munich was used as a backdrop) in terms of interior design and architecture, but by and large the message of corporatism, the loss of individualism and the public's lust for violence stand out as clear now as they ever have. There are few science fiction films 25 years old which are capable of this kind of staying power (Star Wars and 2001 are the others) and there are few, if any, other *current* science fiction films which make any clearer or more accurate commentary about our present society.

It would have been nice if the film had spent a little more on the backstory behind the settings, but I think this lack of explanation is supposed to help drive Jonathan E's search for meaning.

The one scene which remains unclear to me is the party scene where the partygoers take a gun of some sort out and shoot pine trees into flames. The symbolism of this is lost on me.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent futuristic sports film with a message
Review: Definately one of the best science fiction films ever to grace the big screen, and one of James Cann's finer films. Rollerball is an excellent futuristic ports film with a message. A message that informs the audience of a future that could happen. Corproartions running the world, as well as Orwellian themes. The film tells the story of a Rollerball player Jonathan E. who is the top player in a violent futuristic sport that is a combination of roller derby, ice hockey, football, and gladiatorial fighting. The film has outstanding sets, costumes, music, characters, a solid plot, and good actors. Indeed an international flavor. One that ITC Entertainment could have produced. The film also tells the story of how the corporation wants Jonathan to retire from the game for fear of him being too good for his own good, and fear of him in general. Yet, Jonathan does not want to retire, which leads to the corporation making certain decisions that would make Jonathan retire. Retire or die.

The film has some violent moments, bordering on the graphic and explosive. Yet, it is still entertaining and enjoyable to watch. Filmed on location at Pinewood Studios in London, England and Munich, Germany, the film truly represents a 21st Century world that could very well happen. The ending of the film is even better. One of the most thought-provoking. If you enjoy good science fiction as well as sports, check this film out. The melding of the two is very unique, if not lethal.

Rating:
Summary: One of the essentials
Review: This is one of those films that falls into the "essential" category. Its a film one or more of your friends have seen, yet you have never actually seen it yourself. It rarely appears on television, yet it seems to endure through word of mouth. When I finally decided to see the film for myself, I came away overtly satisified, but feeling slightly unsure as to whether this film fulfilled what I thought a fully rounded "good film experience" should be. What satisfies me about this film is the excellent music. The decision to use classical pieces was a clever one indeed as the films score remains fresh and up-to-date. If they had used synthesizers, the impact of the scenes that contain the classical music would have been severely lessened. Another satisfying aspect to the film are the performances turned in by the cast, specifically James Caan as Jonathan E. He is the master of subtlety, playing his part with astonishing skill. The DVD itself is good, with, in my mind, the most important feature possible included, a commentary. The picture quality is acceptable, although I am not fussy in this respect. The things that niggle at me when I try and sum up the film are the Rollerball scenes and the pace of the film in general. Maybe having seen The Running Man and Mad Max has coloured my judgement, but the Rollerball scenes didn't really seem all that brutal to me. Apart from the odd nasty hit here and there, the potential for carnage wasn't exploited to enough of a degree. However, these scenes remain the best in the film regardless. Also, the general pace of the film can be lacking at times, with scenes that seem to drag on without holding the viewers interest. In summation, I would certainly recommend this film for your collections, despite its little problems. It's one of the most well known films no-one knows about, so keep spreading the word.

Rating:
Summary: Highly Underrated, Highly Accurate Look Forward
Review: A friend came over the other night and poped the "Rollerball" DVD into the player - for a moment or two I grimaced, imagining some sort of .. poor 1970s version of "The Running Man" - little did I know it would be MUCH BETTER!

Was I surprised when the movie that unfolded was more like a cross between the stories of "1984", the computer game "Syndicate", and the court case against Bill Gates.

The story is about the fact that the world has evolved into a place where six major companies run everything, with very basic names: "Energy Corporation", "Leisure Corporation", "Food Corporation" etc., where each company has its own anthem and logo/colour scheme.

The corporations control EVERYTHING, including the main pastime for the people of Earth, "The Game", Rollerball.

Are you still with me? While it sounds very totalitarian, it is very realistic, with much of what goes on today reflected into this film...

Anyway, the plot revolves around a champion of "The Game", Jonothan E., who is so great, so popular that the Corporations Committee becomes scared and decides to force him to quit. But Jonothan has other ideas - the Committee has already taken his wife away, now his career... It is all too much for him, and the film develops into a battle (both violent and covert) against the Committee of Corporations.

A brilliant film which is about to be remade - directed by John McTiernan, the guy who did Die Hard, Predator, Hunt for Red October, 13th Warrior etc... But watch the original and be able to see what maes it a great film.

The story is truly imaginative and clever, James Caan is brilliant, the art direction is great (winning a BAFTA). Watch this film, BUY IT!

Rating:
Summary: Popular lust for violence
Review: I have watched this movie several times on television. I want to mention a couple of dimensions of the film that the other reviewers have somewhat passed over, the popular public thirst for violence. The story's corporate sports promoters hype and inject an element of 'storyline' to heighten the crowd's interest in witnessing violence, which is forbidden to themselves personally. 'My side against Your side" partisanship. Heros of team success.

The story's hero "has to be stopped" by the villanous corporations, because the game is designed to prove that individuals cannot succeed on their own.

Take a look at WWF "wrestling" and tell me that we have not arrived at the future, in regard to public attitudes toward violence.

Rating:
Summary: Rollerball
Review: I bought the DVD and it doesn't work on my (U.S.)computer DVD player. All my other DVD titles are from Warner Bros. & work fine. This is the only one I bought from MGM and it crashes before the movie starts. I e-mailed MGM about this. They have not answered. WB includes software to make sure their DVD's run fine but I guess MGM can't be bothered.