Rating: Summary: It reaffirms your faith in Hollywood Review: Hollywood puts out a lot of trash and a lot of good movies but either way, they usually say something you already wanted to hear. How a movie that, among a myriad of other things, really attacks celebrity worship culture this much escaped Hollywood without getting axed is a tribute to Fincher and the stars. The big 3 stars are all superb, though Pitt purposefully steals the show. I agree with criticisms that the 2nd half isn't as good as the first but only in spots does it fade. The ending is justified on repeated viewing more and more. The writing is amongst the best to come out of Hollywood in years, though it cheats and uses a voice-over for all that poetry. I won't intellectualize the message for you but it really isn't as evil as detractors say. It is both a great cultural commentary and a timeless classic in its message. A combination of Face/Off, American Beauty, and The Usual Suspects. Great
Rating: Summary: And I thought Brad Pitt couldn't act... Review: This is hands-down one one the best of 1999 (along with Election and The Limey). It is also one of the most sophisticated movies to come out of Hollywood in years. In fact, I almost can't understand how the script made it through the process. I mean it's anarchist, anti-materialistic, and offers us Meat Loaf with testicular cancer. Oh, and by the way, it doesn't really have a lot to do with fighting. That's just a, as they say, vehicle.I can't wait to see it again. I was so blown away the first time. I only saw it because I happened to be at a mall at the time, and someone recommended it. I don't want to give anything away. I just want to point out that is a venomous attack on "the American way". In fact, it puts American Beauty to shame. Norton's character is an existential shell of a man, living in a Pottery Barn apartment, and spending his free time checking out the self help circuit just to connect with the outside world. That's until he meets Pitt. A club starts. Guys fight. There's a machismo factor. That's what may have sold the script, because after that the film enters the surreal and dangerous ideas surface, ideas that, gosh, just ain't American. So see this film, then see it again. All of the acting is phenomenal, including Brad Pitt. It's one of the few films of our generation that actually challenges the audience. If the WTO doesn't make it to your city, see Fight Club. It's just as subversive, but without the teargas.
Rating: Summary: Are People Missing the Message? Review: As I shuffled through the reviews of this film I was surprised by the number of either 5 star or 1 star reviews. While I am merely another of the 5 star crowd, I would like to address those who object to this movie and dismiss it stating that there are no redeeming qualities. Obviously someone is missing the point. This is not a movie about violence (of which it is not extremely violent - a 6 out of 10 on the violence meter). Nor is it a movie simply about being bored and white (keep reading the reviews...). This is a brilliant film with a hard-edge Marxist throughline. Violence and chaos are used as tools in an elaborately developed satire of the American lifestyle (the one-time American dream.) Don't believe me? Read the book... it's brilliant as well. While I would agree that this is not for everyone... those who strive for intellectual stimulation, a great story, and a little bit of seditious fun: this film is for you!
Rating: Summary: Why did I like this movie? Review: I had to actually brace myself for this film. I read reviews about it's disturbing content and cynical story about two fellas who form an underground following called the "Fight Club" where men beat the hell out of each other to psychologically purge themselves from their own personal issues in life and the fake plastic mask of contentment that the media wants us to wear as we settle into our Ikea furniture and play with our computers. Aside from the typical morbidity of David Fincher, I was pleased by the originality of the film and the performances of the two leads. Pitt and Norton are excellent but this film is definitely not for everyone. Probably not for most people. Judging from the final box office take of the picture, most people indeed felt the same way. Nevertheless it's different, original and visualy impressive. I kind of feel bad I enjoyed it as much as I did. Should I?
Rating: Summary: You just think it's powerful because of the sex and violence Review: First of all, this movie starts out great, I must admit. Butthen about halfway in, the structure starts breaking down, the moviegets very slow, plot holes get bigger, the story's tone changes from satire to pure fantasy, and the twist at the end is inexplicable and ridiculous. ...its use of sex and violence is no holds barred and unabashedly in your face. So what? I see that kind of stuff all the time. It's not what makes a movie good. This movie is so disorganized and flawed--a mess, a mess, a mess, I can't stress how much of a mess this is.
Rating: Summary: The only answer Fight Club offers=that of Human Nature Review: Fight Club's main objective is to teach a lesson on human nature. The vehicle used in portraying human nature is the domesticating, materializing, dehumanizing, corporate world of late 20th century America and one man's violent struggle against it. In Freudian terms, the protagonist (Norton) is forced by his homogenized corporate "ant hill" existence to suppress his "id" fueled "ego" of primal male aggression to the point of dementia. In Norton's(who is also the narrator) Freudian dementia he creates an alter ego by the name of Tyler Durden (Pitt). Norton's alter ego allows for his suppressed aggression to pour out in bare-knuckled and disfiguring confrontations with other sympathics from all walks of life. The lesson on human nature comes in the end when Norton awakes from his dementia to realize that what he has created in retaliation to the effects of corporate America has become just as inhumane as the cause. This irony leaves the intelligent viewer asking, "So what is the answer?" Fight Club retorts that human nature is confused, imperfect, powerful, self-defeating, overly idealistic, and far from reaching understanding of itself. If can't handle the reality that his film offers than you're too comfortable and should try to find your inner-Durden.
Rating: Summary: A Mind-Boggling Movie Review: Fight Club is a film which explores the possibilities that our minds are capapable of, and the absolute realm of how it can go. Edward Norton gives a dazzling performance as a man who searches himself and tries to find an answer to the question: "Where am I in life?" This is a question we all ponder and which we sometimes find a solution in by creating such characters as Tyler Durden, played by Brad Pitt. Another startlingly genuine performance by him as well make this a movie not to be missed.
Rating: Summary: Fight Club Review: The film is a definite must! It concerns issues that any man can relate to - without revealing the plot, the issues adressed in this film concern rage, frustration, loss of control, fear of failiure, and any existencial crisis. A man in his prime experiences the bewildering anxieties of modern society where men have lost their identity, and he "rises" to the occasion. If you ponder upon life, feel inadequate, fear failiure - go see the film. It puts life into a whole different perspective that you never would have deemed possible. If you are somewhat sensitive - ignore the gory effects, focus on the details, enjoy, think, and at the end of the day - be a better man.
Rating: Summary: A Must See... Review: I think that this movie is one of the most defining examples of 1990's living. Think about it...brand-names, support groups and ultraviolence. I really don't want to get into the nuances of the movie, but would rather commend Mr. Fincher on, in my opinion, one of the top five movies of the last decade (along with "Se7en," another Fincher movie). Kudos, and keep us thinking.
Rating: Summary: A different point of view Review: I liked this movie. That is really saying something. I am a minority(a black female), and I usually can't stand violence, and I liked this movie. I saw it because I had heard a lot about it on tv and I was curious. I thought it was going to be a stupid movie about angry-white-males beating each other up for no reason. However, what I saw was something smart, and completely surprising. I thought it was clever, even funny. Even thought it touched on some interesting issues. It made me think, and any movie that does that is worth watching to me.
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