Rating: 
Summary: LIKE, WOW MAN
Review: I usually do not like rotoscoping, the animating technique of (at lest for foreground action) drawing over real film footage of a person and then, after the animation is complete, removing the live-action footage so that the animation is all that is shown. Rotoscoping has been used in Ralph Bakshi films such as Heavy Metal and in Delta Airlines' preflight video showing people buckling their seat belts or grabbing an oxygen mask. Rotoscoping sometimes produced a strange effect, with outlines squiggling around. This is because every frame of the film was traced independently, often with loose or flowing lines, so the lines did not line up from frame to frame. Even when the tracing was more exact and caused less line-wiggling, rotoscoping usually has had nothing to offer over live-action film or animation. The resultant images in rotoscoping did not move as smoothly as in live-action film, but they were too constrained by the live action images they were based upon to have the exuberant, cartoonish movement and expressions we would expect of characters in an animated feature. The outcome often was a clumsy hybrid of animation and live-action filmmaking.Waking Life gets around these problems. The chief animator developed a computer program to make lines flow more smoothly from frame to frame, so that the action can be more photorealistic when desired. In other scenes, the animators use the initial live-action images as only a loose basis for their own animation, so that they can take advantage of the creative possibilities of animation. Also, the super-saturated colors of the film are quite pleasing. Despite the cutting-edge, playful animation, the film's spirit is surprisingly old-fashioned. The movie is painfully earnest, even in scenes with awful, pretentious dialog. Some scenes are like sitting next to a bunch of stoned Deadheads trying to explain the meaning of the universe. Sometimes you wish that somebody in the movie would cast an ironical glance at the movie and see the humor in scenes such as when the protagonist walks by a stranger who says something to the effect of, "As you go deeper into puzzle passive acceptance is no longer an option." How did the actor utter that line without breaking out laughing? Indeed, Waking Life is always so serious and earnest in its philosophical musings that watching it can be like being stuck in a feminist consciousness-raising session or in a high school existentialist club. The only time humor deliberately creeps into the film is when the protagonist catches a ride in a car that looks like a speed boat and gets a comical lecture about life from the, er, captain of the boat. That is not to say that there are not some fascinating ideas in the movie, but the gems are mixed in with the dirt. How many of the ideas are new to you will depend in part upon whether you have taken, say, Philosophy 101, but even this seasoned philosopher came across some interesting ideas new to me, some ideas being big-P Philosophical and others just being interesting observations about the human condition. The structure of the movie is like a sequence of animated lectures. There is a lot of talking and very little plot. This hardly seems like the best use of the cinema's possibilities. If you want a lecture or essay, take a class or read a book. When serious themes are explored in a movie, you would expect the filmmaker to bring the themes come alive through an engaging story. For instance, the story in the Matrix cleverly illustrates Descartes' worry that an evil genius could be altering all of his perceptions. Waking Life offers didactic philosophy lectures rather than an organic union of plot and ideas. The only exception to this generalization is that the theme of dreaming is nicely echoed by the trippy visuals. Waking Life is too overtly philosophical to be most people's cup of tea, and some people will dismiss it as pretentious nonsense, but others will find this cosmic-wow of a movie to be just the right way to be introduced to philosophy.
Rating: 
Summary: An Incredible Amount of Depth for a Film
Review: Almost invariably, "Waking Life," the 2001 animated film from Richard Linklater is described as 'original.' For once, this oft-overused moniker is accurate: there isn't anything quite like this movie. It advertises itself as a series of philosophical vignettes, which range all over the subject spectrum but are usually united by a common thread of meaning: that of dreams and the reality of the 'dream world.' A film based upon that premise could easily fall into the highschool-discussion/drug-induced-nonsense level of discourse, but "Waking Life" plunges headlong into the fray without batting an eye. Fairly early in the film, pretentious philosophy is dismissed with a nice rebuttal to the sophomoric question: "What if you're just a construct of my dream, and exist only in my mind?" "Well, then I'm as real as anything else." And that's the starting point for a meditation on the meaning (if any) of dreams, and some of the dreamlike things people encounter in their daily lives. "Waking Life" is also animated, using a pretty unique form of animation: each scene was shot, and then "drawn over" by animation artists in a variety of styles, from expressionist art to nearly-photographic digital renderings, depending on the mood of each scene. The result is something that resembles an acid trip or a hallucination, where tables of restaurant patrons float above the ground, faces change while moustaches stay the same, and the background is in a near-constant state of flux. It can get nauseating after a while, but the overall effect is subtle enough not to draw attention from the content of the film, which is a rare quality for so-called "art" films. It's almost a crime that "Jimmy Neutron" was nominated for "Best Animated Film" while "WL" was not. Because of these varied qualities, "Waking Life" isn't for everyone, and certainly gets a "rent-if-before-you-buy-it" caveat. The DVD presentation is as good as one could want: an anamorphic widescreen presentation with crisp colors and a 5.1 soundtrack (not that philosophical conversation requires dynamic sound), and a nice helping of extras. Don't write "Waking Life" off as something smart people (or those who pretend to be smart) will enjoy and yack about - it's just not the average, everyday film and requires an attentive mind and (perhaps) multiple viewings to fully enjoy. For those willing to take the plunge with an open mind, "Waking Life" is a rewarding film experience. Final Grade: A
Rating: 
Summary: Great film for having almost no plot
Review: This film was never really meant to have a plot. Perhaps, it only has one so that you'll stay through the entirety of it. It is a college kid flick that concerns itself mainly with semi-random, semi-related ideas in a very schizophrenic manner. The reason for the four stars is that there is a series of mini-lectures/discussions about different philosophical problems in regards to existence/ontology, free will, consciousness, and language. They are ideas that can lead to some significant discussions of the type rarely, if ever, provoked by movies. The animation just adds to the enjoyment of the film as it seems to capture a Platonic form of the person rather than the specific entity, thus making the experience more universal. I recommend this movie to anyone that wants an intellectually stimulating film but I wouldn't recommend it if you care about a significant plot.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent artistic vision, but otherwise lacking.
Review: It almost pains me to give "Waking Life" only a two star rating because I think the animation technique used was innovative and very clever. The bottom line, however, is that I was so disinterested by the movie that I couldn't watch it all the way through. It basically feels exactly the same as sitting through a 90 minute upper division philosophy lecture. Some people may enjoy this ..., but I think the majority would be bored. The idea of questioning the relationship between reality and dreams is not a new one, and it can be approached in many interesting ways. "Waking Life" is a film which follows a young student in a journey through his dreams. These basically consist of him running into random people, who, one after the other, deliver some esoteric diatribe before passing him off to the next curbstone philosopher. Only a few of these speeches were really comprehendible to anybody not familiar with philisophical jargon. In fact, after watching the movie I wondered if I was missing something, or if I just "didn't get it". A few minutes of listening to the director's commentary included on the DVD, however, revealed that many of the scenes were included just for the sake of creating a feeling of 'randomness' in the movie. If you like the sound of a movie that is essentialy just a lecture, then you should check out "Waking Life". I watched this movie without having read any background information on it or any reviews, so I approached it with a clear and open mind. ... The type of conversation presented in "Waking Life" is much more stimulating if you are participating in it first hand and are not just a third party spectator. Having long been a fan of independent films, which tend to be more thoughtful than big budget Hollywood productions, I don't feel like I should be obligated to like a movie simply because it is (or just tries to be) intellectual. --rossc9
Rating:
Summary: The most fantastic journey ever.
Review: The movie is without a doubt the most amazing piece of cinema made in period. The insane animation is only matched by the depth of the point the movie trying to portray. Its a story about whats real whats in the mind and everything in between. Not to mention this movies imagery and story matter will make you feel like your on drugs. But don't let that deter you, this movie really is the stuff that dreams are made of.
Rating: 
Summary: incredibly pretentious
Review: a friend recommended this one to me and was certain i'd love it. the trusting soul that i am, i didn't even rent the sucker, i just went ahead and bought the dvd. wow was she wrong! this is a really bad film. although it's considered "animated," it cheats with that false, trace-over-the-filmed-footage type of "animation." all the character expressions are kept limited to the acting originally shot. nothing is exaggerated visually and there doesn't seem to be any benefit or reason for its use, outside of decoration. humdrum decoration at that. the look reminded me of that animated earthlink advertising campaign that showcased "real life" characters expressing various monologues about their online experiences. i was suspicious in fact, that maybe some of the same animators were used here. but whereas the earthlink ads took the opportunity to use the animation in a way that complimented the dialogue and brought a fresh dimension to the words and made sense and pushed some cool visual concepts and then brought it back again, here you just couldn't care less because nothing interesting happens. nothing. well, okay...i think there was a scene or two where a guy levitates quietly out of the master frame (ooh...goosebumps). so much for style. in terms of the actual meat of the story, there was none. no meat AND no story, although i'll excuse the latter as its importance is essentially unnecessary. this one really makes a horrible attempt at one of those "rambling discussion" types of films like 'my dinner with andre' or 'mindwalk,' two films i enjoyed immensely by the way, but this one was pure drivel. painful pseudo-intellectualism at its chalkboard-scratched worst. listen, when you've got the bong out burning and this stuff STILL sounds stupid and annoying, you KNOW it's gotta be pretty bad... it was like listening to the awkward guy in line in front of you at the movies, trying like hell to impress his date. he makes all kinds of gestures and strokes his chin and wanders at the stars, and says absolutely nothing, but he says it loud enough to benefit his date as well as the lucky couple 4 patrons back. you are in the presence of the national poster child for the campaign that "quotable, quote books should be banned forever!" that's what this is. that exactly describes 'waking life.' and if i forgot to mention it earler: this is a really bad film. good luck with your decision on whether to watch it. i hope these thoughts were somewhat helpful. and a special 'thank you' to the person in sacramento who took it off my hands through the amazon used items. i sincerely hope your experience was entirely different from mine.
Rating:
Summary: Waking Life
Review: The first thing I must mention as well as appalud about "Waking Life" is the animation job done here. Its as if the flimakers here shot everyting on a normal camera and then went back into the sudio and then painted over it. Weather or not they acually did that or not I am not sure. The effect is truly trippy, and very uniqe. I have never seen anything quite like it berfore. Next thing I must mention and appalud is the screenplay. Its a screenplay that asks the complex quastions of life. Like what are we here for? Is there life after death? What are dreams? Warning. If you like to watch movies or you like to watch animated flicks, because you like to zone off, rather than think hard about what your watching. I suggest you avoid this.
Rating:
Summary: Intriguing meditation on dreams
Review: Animation is not usually associated with deep thinking, but "Waking Life" is an exception. In fact, the animation is precisely what makes this film work so well. A synopsis of the plot is impossible, but essentially a gen-X type character drifts in (and out?) of a dream state. Along the way, he talks to various deep thinkers who share their ideas about dreams, life, and religion. The different actors kind of play themselves and primarily deliver monologues to the main character, who is frequently passive. Sounds pretty grim, but it's definitely not. True, if this movie wasn't animated, it would be incredibly pretentious. However, the animation, which is spectacular, really helps ground this film. There are certain scenes I'll never forget from this film, particulary the revelation that one cannot turn off the lights in dreams (whether that's true or not is irrelevant). Different segments of the film have been done by different animators, which helps keep things fresh throughout. Most of the stars are not well-known, but watch for Ethan Hawke and Nicky Katt, among others. I avoided seeing this film in the theaters, despite the stellar reviews, because I am not a fan of movies that explore philosophical or religious issues in such depth. However, I found myself enjoying the movie immensely. It's funny and thought provoking. Highly recommended, especially for persons interested in philosophy and religion.
Rating:
Summary: like a summer party where everyone's a little tipsy...
Review: Lucid dreamers, amateur philosophers, autodidacts and fans of paint-by-numbers take note: this movie is for you! The film begins with a tango that sounds like Piazzola but is apparently pure Texas - a nice surprise. The animation is reminiscent of a more detailed (and deft) paint-by-numbers style. Squirming strokes and flat sections of color wobble and morph from cel to cel giving a sense of depth and muscularity that is more typical of fine-art painting than contemporary animation. There are several different animator's hands in evidence, but the multiple styles are similar and complementary. It's worth seeing just for the look of the thing. The plot, as such, is basically Wiley Wiggins walking around trying to figure out where he is, with side trips into why he is, or who he is. The characters he meets on this ramble are intensely ordinary yet interesting, and the whole thing has a very "finding ourselves" college-town feel. Even the crackpots are interesting, if only for the pure spectacle of watching an inspired lunatic perform his or her best schtick. It does drag a bit in spots, but I suspect the scenes that will seem more or less compelling will vary from viewer to viewer. However, I particularly loved the angry guy, the lucid dream/light switch guy, and the girl with the angular face and red sausage curls. And if you have wondered what happened to the couple from Linklater's earlier "Before Sunrise," we do find out here - a nice little valentine. There is no action to speak of, no real conclusions - just lots and lots of talk and some really gorgeous and unique animation and a fabulous soundtrack.
Rating:
Summary: Voyourism on a different level
Review: There is so much to love about this movie. First off, and foremost is the animation. It reminded me of the first time watching 'Akira', the way I would go "ooohhh, ahhhh!...damn that's cool" whenever I saw the tail-lights on cars trace and fade, or the layered sky lines of neo Tokyo moving along and shifting perfectly as if it was filmed in real life. The animators of Waking Life surpassed that. Watching Waking Life is like going to an art musuem and watching the paintings start to move. This is not a cartoon, boys and girls, this is art, and anything less would make me mark this movie down to zero stars because without the superb work of the animators, the way they captured and at times exagerated facial expressions and all the subtle body language involved in conversasion...this movie would not get across (with intrest) the idea's held there-in.
This is not your Friday night flick, the kind that you relax and vegatate in front of after a hard week. Bring your pen and notebook, and replace that popcorn with a cup of coffee...you're going to need it.
Now, I love this movie, but there's one reason why I can't give it five stars, that being the set up of this film. It is a long collection of short vignettes, mostly of a philosophical nature. While this may sound boring to most people, the strange thing is, while discussing this movie with others I have found out, nearly everyone has taken part in a similar conversation, whether it be about free will, the opression of Corporations, or maybe wondering about reincarnation, we have all wondered and talked about at least one subject in Waking Life. Maybe the creators of Waking Life are hoping that by identifing with one conversation, that you'll catch on to another idea. This truly is the movie for the thinking voyeur.
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