Rating: 
Summary: ***** DANTE'S INFERNO *****
Review: Jacob's Ladder open's with New York postal worker Jacob Singer waking on a subway train having just experienced a nightmare flashback to his time in Vietnam. Upset and confused he tries to ask his fellow passengers if he has missed his stop but as he passes them he sees flashes of tails and horns in the uncommunicative people whom he approaches for help. Exiting the train he finds the stairs to the subway locked and on crossing the tracks he narrowly misses being hit by a train coming in the other direction and whilst lying on the track he witnesses yet more disturbing images as the train passes by. Unsure whether these images are real or as a result of some form of post traumatic stress disorder from his time in 'Nam, he struggles to keep his grip on sanity as his life becomes a nightmare, with his days punctuated by visions of demons, his first wife and his dead son. His life begins to unravel and the line between reality and delusion becomes ever more fragile. This is, in my opinion, by far and away Adrian Lyne's best movie, which may surprise some people given the fact his CV includes big box office hits such as 9 ½ Weeks, Indecent Proposal and Fatal Attraction. His direction is subtle, considered, well-paced and as near as you'll get to perfect. The cinematography is also excellent and the use of special effects are relatively understated but effective, which is something that can rarely be said since the advent of CGI. As for Bruce Joel Rubin's screenplay no praise is too high. It is intelligent, intricate and complex and it keeps you guessing until the end. In fact there is so much in this movie that second time around you'll find yourself picking up clues that you missed first time around and appreciate the cleverness and different levels of the story even more. Tim Robbins is excellent as Jacob, whom he succeeds in making a very sympathetic and vulnerable character, whose life literally becomes a nightmare. The supporting cast is excellent too with Elizabeth Pena (La Bamba, Rush Hour etc) and Danny Aiello (Leon, Do The Right Thing) in particular putting in notable performances. Jacob's Ladder also features supporting performances from Matt Craven (The Life of David Gale), Jason Alexander (Seinfeld) and Eriq La Salle (ER). I first saw Jacob's Ladder at the cinema when it first opened back in 1990. I had read an article about it in a magazine, which was complete with disturbing still photographs from the movie. The article was intriguing in that it said that the screenplay, written by Bruce Joel Rubin (Ghost) had been doing the rounds in Hollywood for several years but that although everybody agreed it was an excellent screenplay it had been considered unfilmable until Director Adrian Lyne got hold of it. On the day before seeing 'Jacobs Ladder', for the first time, a review in the now defunct British newspaper 'Today' described it as a five star classic and I still remember watching it in the cinema on its opening night, transfixed by the story and disturbed by the images, whilst jumping out of my seat a few times. I have loved this movie ever since and have loaned out my old VHS copy many times since then but what still surprises me is that so few people seem to know this movie or have seen this movie, which to me seems like a crime. Perhaps Jacobs Ladder's lack of box office success can be put down to it often being classified as a horror movie, which is to do it an enormous disservice. Sure there are elements of Jacob's Ladder that can be compared to the horror genre but it is so much more than that. Complex, downbeat but also spiritually uplifting it was perhaps too intelligent and too disturbing to achieve a mass appeal. However, it still amazes me and saddens me that real dross such as Vanilla Sky has many people waxing lyrical when something as good, sorry excellent as this slips by relatively unnoticed. Jacob's Ladder I would suggest is a superior forerunner to movies such as Vanilla Sky and even The Sixth Sense and I highly recommend it!
Rating:
Summary: Jacob's Ladder = Essential
Review: Jacob's Ladder is one of the darkest films ever created. The entire concept behind this is just mindbending, and disturbingly genius. The camerawork, flashes of demons, and other bizarre images makes this one hell of a surreal psychological thriller. I really can't say this is "horror", it didn't scare me, but then again no horror movie ever has; so don't take my word for it that it won't frighten you. This film is definitely gruesome, and frantic to watch. Tim Robbins plays Jacob Singer, a somber, yet intelligent postal worker who is a Vietnam veteran. At the beginning we see images of Jacob's platoon getting ambushed, then suddenly he awakens on an NY subway train. I won't go any further about this particular scene, but just know that this is where all the madness truly begins. As the film moves along, Jacob's visions get more frenzied, and terrifying, and you're shown everything from Jacob watching his g/f bumping and grinding with what appears to be maybe?? ... Well Again I wont go any further on that so I don't ruin anything for anyone. The entire film I found myself sympathizing with Robbins character so much. It seemed no matter how worse things got, it just kept getting worse, but in the end salvation comes for Jacob. The original ending is much more dark, and vague; the ending they ended up going with couldn't have been more heartwrenching. Most notably is a scene where Jacob is taken from a normal hospital room through hallways that are dilapidated, and clearly not what they should be. It leads us directly into an asylum where Jacob is in for the shock of his life, along with the viewers. This is an example of the surrealism in the film, shocking images that appear from no where, leaving the viewer asking many questions as to who, how, and why. After this movie I found myself analyzing and dissecting every scene, something I still do to this day when I watch it. Very provoking is Jacob's Ladder, but heed this warning - Jacob's Ladder is NOT for everyone. This movie is not for the average film go'er, because the imagery, and plot twists just might be too much for people to take. If you're into psychological, bizarre films, look no further than Jacob's Ladder. An easy 5/5. Also recommended, if you like Jacob's Ladder, check out "In The Mouth Of Madness", and "
Angel Heart", equally as messed up, and warped.
Rating:
Summary: If's there's an ounce of gray matter...
Review: i wrote a review but it disappeared? Anyway short sweet. If there's an ounce of gray matter in your skull you will get this movie! i'm not gonna tell you the plot like so many feel necessary to do. I will just buy the movie ,watch the movie. If that doesn't work repeat until you find yourself saying aah "That's intense!!" I will agree though those scenes that were left out are really intense!! Enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: A nightmare on film
Review: Released during a time when horror movies meant bloodsplattered, plotless sequels ("Nightmare on Elm Street XXXVII" or "Halloween 213-Jason Eats Romania"), JACOB'S LADDER was a truly unnerving, disturbing horror film which resorted very infrequently to gore. This is a monster movie of the mind. You can read other reviewers comments for the plot; I won't waste Amazon's real estate on repeating that. What needs to be reiterated is that this movie captures that nightmare world between consciousness and unconsciousness: that troubled sleep, as Sartre put it. The direction and editing are nearly flawless. And, across the board, the performances are electric. I have no idea what Rochell O'Gorman means by saying Tim Robbins' performance was "lethargic". His moments of fear, confusion, and sorrow are consistently convincing. And his few minutes of relief at the hands of his chiropractor (Danny Aiello in an unusually sweet turn, for him) also offer the viewer a break from the relentlessly frightening images. However, when those few moments pass, the horror that follows is made even more terrifying. At the very least, this movie deserves a viewing by everyone, horror movie fan or not.
Rating: 
Summary: Criminally underrated and terrifying
Review: This criminally underrated masterpiece of psychological horror broadsided audiences who were expecting ... well, come to think of it, what were they expecting, exactly? Billed and promoted as a kind of pseudo-Argento horror experience, it's in fact one of the bleakest head-trip movies ever -- a closer cousin to films like Roman Polanski's "The Tenant" than "Friday the 13th". Opening with Jacob Singer (Tim Robbins) in Vietnam, the movie flashes forwards to his life back in the States, where he lives an isolated existence as a postal clerk. He has a shy, touching relationship with a girl (Elizabeth Pena) he has met at the post office, but he cannot seem to really connect with people. Something in him has been damaged, it seems, by the horror of the war. Worse, he's hallucinating badly and suffering from flashbacks. Slowly a plot emerges. We see shots of him before the war, happy, with a wife and son, and then learn that he may have been used as a subject for unorthodox drug experiments. He meets other vets who are similarly disturbed, and a gentle chiropractor (Danny Aiello) who has some sage words of advice about his past and future. And then we get a series of unsettling scenes that subvert everything we have seen and force us to read it in an unsettling new way -- which of course would be absolutely criminal to reveal here. Let's face it -- this isn't a fun movie. It's bleak, depressing, disturbing, and ends on the darkest possible note. But it's also made with absolutely consummate skill and complete assurance in the material. This wasn't a hatchet job, but a real piece of art, and it needs to be seen in that light.
Rating:
Summary: Out there.
Review: 'Jacob's Ladder' is a really weird film that is really out into outer space. It is about a few soldiers trying to recover from the Veitnam War. Worth the watch, but I don't know how much sense it makes.
Rating:
Summary: The most mind-twisting tale ever ! !
Review: "Alive and dreaming, or dead and remembering ?" is the ambiguous world of unlucky Jacob's Singer; a man toggling between the perplexing realm of life and extinction. After suffering a fatal wound during combat in Vietnam, Jacob Singer is left seeing his life flash before his eyes -- his life, that is, mixed with terrifying, demonic images conjured by Jacob's own fears and anxieties concerning his ultimate situation; death. Another Adrian Lyne film, Jacob's Ladder is an excellent portrayal of one man's foray into afterlife --- the twist, however, is that this movie does not depict the dying process as being the trite clean and peaceful transition seen in other thanatological films. Personally, I feel this movie certainly compels the viewer to question the status of one's own capacity in dealing with such a situation; as it's been said "Those closest to death are the least capable of accepting it" [excerpt: film "Faces of Death" series]. Jacob's Ladder utterly expresses this concept. By augmenting the intercutting of the various time span experiences in Jacob Singer's life, the director (Adrian Lyne) accomplishes unyielding pandemonium in the mind of the viewer. Thus, all reference to the proper time-sequence of Jacob's life is so offset, the viewer of this film is constantly left mostly confused at realizing which part of Jacob's life is true, distorted, or if it ever took place at all. In the end, the movie conveys a very compelling & powerful message, as it induces the notion..."the outcome of death is one's own resolution ("If you're dying and you're holding on, you'll see devils tearing your life away, but it you've made your peace, then the devils are really angels freeing you from the earth [it's a matter of how you look at it]; excerpt: film "Jacob's Ladder")." Jacob's Ladder is an excellent film about life going into death. A must for anyone involved with Thanatology, Theology, /or psychology. And for the moviegoer seeking a meritorious psychological-twister, Jacob's Ladder offers a remarkable mind-binding experience. ADDITIONAL PLUSES for this DVD: Deleted Scenes, "Documentary" the makings of this film (aptly informative), and the Director's Commentary.
Rating: 
Summary: Not even worth renting.
Review: I enjoyed this movie when I saw it in the theatre when it came out. I used a lot of drugs back then, so that explains it. I just watched this again yesterday. Folks, I literally SUFFERED through "Jacob's Ladder" this time around. I couldn't wait for it to end. Tin Robbins is usually pretty good, but even he seems bored to death in his role. I would not recommend this film to anyone and I do not understand why it's gotten such high praise.
Rating:
Summary: A nightmare on film
Review: Released during a time when horror movies meant bloodsplattered, plotless sequels ("Nightmare on Elm Street XXXVII" or "Halloween 213-Jason Eats Romania"), JACOB'S LADDER was a truly unnerving, disturbing horror film which resorted very infrequently to gore. This is a monster movie of the mind. You can read other reviewers comments for the plot; I won't waste Amazon's real estate on repeating that. What needs to be reiterated is that this movie captures that nightmare world between consciousness and unconsciousness: that troubled sleep, as Sartre put it. The direction and editing are nearly flawless. And, across the board, the performances are electric. I have no idea what Rochell O'Gorman means by saying Tim Robbins' performance was "lethargic". His moments of fear, confusion, and sorrow are consistently convincing. And his few minutes of relief at the hands of his chiropractor (Danny Aiello in an unusually sweet turn, for him) also offer the viewer a break from the relentlessly frightening images. However, when those few moments pass, the horror that follows is made even more terrifying. At the very least, this movie deserves a viewing by everyone, horror movie fan or not.
Rating:
Summary: A review to A viewer from hamilton's stupidity.
Review: GET OVER IT!!! It's not our fault this movie is smarter than you. Just cuz you don't have the brain compasity to watch this film doesn't mean that it stinks. Face it your dumb and we are not. To the reader, do yourself a favor and watch this movie. Don't be stupid like A viewer from hamilton, since he obviously doesn't have the intelligence to write a good review or to appreciate a fine piece of cinema that is Jacob's Ladder.
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