Waking Life

Rating:
Summary: Very intriguing film, but sadly not for everyone
Review: Richard Linklater uses innovative animation eye-candy where everything moves in some way and different philosophical viewpoints to create "Waking Life" and the outcome is somewhat charming and nicely done. It is basically about a young vagabond who wanders a nameless town listening to the different ideals of various strangers. Most of the cast may seem unfamiliar, as it did to me, but Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy make an appearance from an earlier film also directed by Linklater. The original shoot took about a month or less to complete while the animation was a languid nine months. But it pays off--in a world of 2D Disney animation and CG in the video game and movie category (and there is practically no gray area in between the 2) it is nice to see a unique sort of animation that is fluid and just overall nice to look at. However, "Waking Life" isn't for everyone... if you have a short attention span, you can basically wave goodbye. The characters' monologues are long and can confuse easily if you turn your back for even a second. By the end of the first twenty minutes, you will probably wish for some action to be seen instead of just talk. I also was disappointed with the ending, Linklater could do better than that. His goal is make you think but if nothing else, "Waking Life" just makes you ponder of what the whole thing was about in the first place instead of delving into the various dialogues. But, really, who could blame you?

Rating:
Summary: This movey made me feel rill smart an' stuff
Review: Muh gurlfrend n I wur gon watch king of thuh hill, buhht then we sed lets go t'thuh vidio storr? We took this 'un, an' we feel reel smart an' all that bcuz we watcht it. If I gon to skool 'sted of bein tot at hom thun mabuh I'd unnerstan whut this moveys 'bout. Hunny, whurrd yu put thuh pork rines?

Rating:
Summary: Philosophy for the A.D.D. student
Review: Waking Life is a wonderful movie that makes you question the difference between your real-life, and the life in which you dream, and if you can really differentiate the two. It is filmed in a very interesting and transitory cartoonish style with a beautiful string soundtrack behind it. The film revolves around one young man as he travels throughout a dream stage, and learns little minute long philosophies along the way from his peers and his strangers. The more he learns, the more he understands where he really is, and the more confused he becomes. It's a wonderful movie to watch in a group, if only for the conversations that will spring from the very unique thoughts the movie brings up. Kierkeggard fans will be pleased too, existential philosophy ranks high in this dream world, as does a quasi-Biblical view of the book of Acts. Fun film!

Rating:
Summary: Waking Life, waking mind.
Review: At first glance, Waking Life seems to be an interesting but anime film. It is very Sundance film festival. This is not to say this is a bad thing.
Waking life is an extremely cerebral film. This movie gets into one's head and fishes around until the thoughts inside your head are pulled struggling to the surface. From the director of Slackers this movie is anything but a slacker. When the movie ends, you want more even though you are reeling from the mental aerobics one goes through. In the exciting realism of the animation, you wonder how in the world they did it. Waking life is a waking dream come true.


Rating:
Summary: Definitely a movie only to be seen when in a certain mood...
Review: Well this one definitely defines the phrase "acquired taste".

An interesting and at times deeply moving film, with amazing technical graphics and animation. However, the main reason for the latter seems to be to disguise the fact that this movie really has little or no script...

Filled with typical long monologues on the meaning of life, etc., as typical with Linklater (even including an Ethan Hawke/Julie Delpy scene that is a direct throwback and reiteration of an earlier movie of his), it does seem a little too deep and smug at times, and certainly does outstay its welcome.

Best watched at home on video or DVD, with a remote and a PAUSE button handy, and no doubt very interesting to watch if stoned... Also, if you're in a reflective mood on life, its origins, where your life is going, then it's certainly a fun little seminar to attend. Otherwise, you may find it dreary, pretentious and boring.


Rating:
Summary: Not for everyone
Review: This is not the kind of movie that you play when you want adventure, fun, deep interest, easy watching, etc. In other words, it is not a movie for the impatient or for those with a short attention span.

The visuals on this are spectacular, but I also enjoyed the voices. I like the low-key effect it all had; most of the movie is relaxed and low-key.

The plot is simple, and unfolds slowly. If you've read this far, all the other reviewers have no doubt given away the plot, which is a shame. Part of the fun of watching this movie is trying to guess what is really happening to the protagonist.

The animation reflects the dreamy pace beautifully. If you get bored with (or lost by) the monologues, you can just lean back and watch the way the pictures unfold in front of you. Artists especially should take note of this movie.

Rating:
Summary: cinematic philosphy at it's best
Review: Waking life was an all encompassing theatrical release of the lost art of philosophy. When I watched this film, I was blown away by the merging of dripping salvador dali like imagery with very modern philosophic ideas. In particular I could relate to the professor who discussed the evolution of mankind as becoming, in modern times, accelerated... to the point where we can actually witness it in a span of a lifetime and that it has become instead of a physiological evolution, one of morality... where we begin to select one another based on criteria such as compassion and intelligence. In other words we are developing into a race of beings which is evolving through the developement of the mind. This is just one of the aspects of the film that I loved.
Another is the enigmatic study of language and other ideas discussed in the film. How do we interpret words like "love"? How did we develop our language and why? What purpose do our dreams serve?
One would benefit from their own studies of their dreams and an attempt to have lucid dreams through lucid dream learning techniques described in Stephen Laberge's "Exploring the World of Lucid Dreaming".
There are so many engaging ideas brought to life by this film that all I can say is that Linklater is a revolutionary in the art of capturing ideas in a cinematic format. "Dazed and Confused" was entertaining and a slice in the life of a teenager, but it was a commercial venture for him. "Waking Life" is food for thought for the free thinker and the open minded. Highly recomended for all who have independent thoughts about evolution, the develpoment of liguistics and the broad study of dream imagery.

Rating:
Summary: Power of the mind
Review: this movie really expanded my perception as to the real potential of the human mind. Very interesting movie.