Rating: 
Summary: Are you really even reading this?
Review: Waking Life is IMPORTANT. See this film at least once just to be introduced to some concepts that you may not have ever considered before. I had never seen a film so infused with intelligent commentary on the human condition. Granted at times it is more facetious than insightful. The humor is there to express the hilarious nature of the human thought process. Do not listen to someone if they say that this film is only meant for mensa cardholders. It may take more than one viewing to absorb ALL of the implications made by this film, but ANYONE can learn something from Waking Life. Like many visually appealing films this one was best seen in the theaters. The DVD has some really cool features like "snack and a soda". This short features Mr.Power (he has an interesting part in Waking Life) going out to get refreshments at a local convenience store. The twist is that this was Mr.Sabiston's chance to go wild with the rotoscoping animation program. Also included is a thorough explanation of that very animation process. If you are a commentary addict like myself you will be pleased by both Richard Linklater's and the other featuring many actors from the film. In conclusion, check your alarm clock when you wake up just to make sure you aren't really just dreaming it. You might be surprised at how often the numbers are incomprehensible.
Rating:
Summary: Incredible
Review: Waking Life is incredibly misunderstood.
It's not about the cool animation (which is actually not just cool, it's some of the most amazing stuff I've ever seen), and it's not just about the philisophical chatter (the discussions themselves are quite juicy), and it's definatly not about it's "indie" departure from hollywood (as I've felt in previous Linklater movies). It's about the parts coming together to make a whole.
Don't watch this movie if you want a plot that moves you foreward, and don't watch this movie if you aren't ready to think. It's an investment of time, and effort (I'll admit that some of the philosophy is tedious) the likes of which not a lot of films demand, but "Waking Life" is a true experience.
This is the journey of a guy who's always dreamed of just flying away... Hopefully, if "Waking Life" has done it's job, your mind will be floating at the end, and although not much has actually happened, you (as well as our protagonist) will feel you've acomplished something.
Rating:
Summary: Sheer Unadulterated Brilliance
Review: Don't listen to those who bash this film. They simply were'nt willing to look into the meaning of the film. I found that this movie wowed me more than almost any other movie in the past several years. Many people complain that it doesnt have a serious plot, and it jumps from person to person. Well, dur! This is a movie that is supposed to be like a dream, one in which various new ideas are presented and discussed. The visuals of this movie are fantastic, causing the viewer to look anew at the world around them. The ideas presented within are well argued, thought out, and very diverse. This is not a traditional movie by any means, but if you are willing to try something new, and you want your perspective of the world to be challenged, then please, watch this movie.
Rating: 
Summary: Not for everyone.
Review: The animation is great but this movie put me to sleep 15 minutes into it. Basically the movie revolves around a guy who walks around running into people who then begin to lecture him about life, reality, and dreams. Not a terrible movie but a lot patience (and caffiene) may be needed.
Rating: 
Summary: Stupid Movie
Review: I just finished watching this, thank goodness I rented it and didn't buy it. This has to be one of the worst movies I've ever seen.
I had heard good things about this movie. However, not only does it fail to live up to the hype, the film [stinks]. Instead of having a story, the film follows a character that walks around listening to different people spout various philosophical views on the nature of existence. These monologues are (I guess) supposed to inspire us to think about life. The problem is these monologues are grammar-school level simpleton conversations. It doesn't discuss anything beyond common sense. Unless you've lived in a cave and never thought about questioning God or why you exist, this movie doesn't give you anything the least bit interesting to digest. I'm sure the people who worked on this movie must have thought they were really intelligent and deep thinking by talking about these simple concepts. The reality of it is that this movie is a stupid, complete waste of time.
Rating:
Summary: Wake Up Call
Review: Waking Life is a jarring, emotionally disturbing experience...if you are in the proper frame of mind. This is not Hollywood escapism: the protagonist walks around the streets of Austin and engages in largely one-sided bombasts on a variety of philosphical topics (time, mortality, dreams, biology vs. environment). If you have recently experienced some form of existential anxiety (and given the current "terror level" I would worry if you hadn't), you should find this film stimulating. It will not put you at ease. It will not make you feel better about your job or your family. It will not offer you a comfortable respite from the chaos of your life. But it will give you something interesting to think about when you go to bed at night. I also agree with other reviewers: check it out for the rotoscoping effects, if nothing else. The film is absolutely beautiful.
Rating:
Summary: A Beautiful, Haunting, Intellectually Stimulating experience
Review: If you are familiar with Linklater's previous efforts (especially "Slackers"), the narrative style of this movie will not surprise you. Visually however, the animation work is truly imaginative and original, the soundtrack is haunting and the end of the movie is unforgettable. Along the way, Linklater raises life's ultimate questions and suggests numerous avenues of thought to pursue the answers. The ideas discussed in this movie are provocative and the manner of raising the issues is wholly original. For those of you who prefer Hollywood, be forewarned. There are no Hollywood CUES on what to think or feel and the "story" is really a freeform exploration of ideas told with different styles of animation and brought to light through one character and his interactions with numerous bit players. In short, if you don't enjoy thinking, don't bother with this movie.
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting movie
Review: This movie is not for those with short attention spans. In fact, it's simply not for everyone. However, the intellectuals, dreamers, and other artsy folks are likely to find something worthwhile in this one. Some people I have spoken with have even said that this movie has changed their lives. This film is basically an animated journey through thoughts, events, and other things that all somehow relate to the main character. The content of some of the discussions in certain scenes may bore some people, but will likely interest the target audience that I listed above. The animation is pretty interesting as well. It's mostly pleasant to look at although the style jumps around throughout the movie. The soundtrack works well with the visuals and, though perhaps a secondary aspect of the film, is still very well done. Overall "Waking Life" is a sporatic and somewhat aimless film, but very much worth seeing for its intellectual content and innovative visuals.
Rating:
Summary: The gradual distruction of cherished illusions
Review: Many people complain that the philosophy espoused in this film is sophomoric and amaturish. Chances are those people never had the insight to see past the words in their philosophy 101 textbook and grasp the truth behind them. They have responded the same way to this film. Rather than trying to seek out the beauty and truth contained in this truly remarkable film, the negative reviewers have taken the opportunity to spit venom at something that disturbes and frightens them.
To me, the whole concept behind "Waking Life" is that logic and reason are not enough. They can be useful tools for dealing with everyday mundane problems and situations, but human beings need more. We have naturally been provided with more in that we have the ability to dream, to meditate, to trip, to wonder, ect. All of these activities put us in a state of mind in which logic and reason have no place, and seem rather silly and pointless. Sadly, these states of mind have been all but written off by modern western culture, a culture that most westerners accept without question. But deep inside the unconcious of the jaded 16-year old who impulsively flips through cable channels to see who J-Lo's latest crush is, something is screaming out for help. It's that illogical, irrational side of a person that longs to be bathed in childlike wonder. "Waking Life" shows us that, actually, we need to not only dream, but to acknowlage that our dreams are real in order to truly wake up.
If you have thoughts similar to these, and feel that everyone else's soul is dead except yours, watch this film, and you will feel better.
Rating:
Summary: A real dichotomy of a movie
Review: Why? Because watching this I found myself both utterly fascinated and completely bored at the same time. I'm fascinated by the dreaming state of mind. For better and for worse, Waking Life gets at the idea of what dreams are like with an original take on the idea. It doesn't all work, but it's better than a lot of other slicker films out there. At the very least this is a film about ideas rather than blowing stuff up; it tries (if not always succeeds) to engage the viewer's mind rather than play as mere eye candy.
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