Rating: 
Summary: Misunderstood as a mainstream film
Review: This is not a big star, "lets see the cliche Hollywood machine churn another yarn that is identicle to the infinite other yarns that have been churned before," kind of film (yes film...not movie). The narrative is obscured due to the mental state of the main character/narrator (Depp), and his sidekick/lawyer (possibly imagined with the help of hallucinagens) played by Toro. An unrelyable narrator with a twisted sense of reality is an effective technique to experiment with the traditional narrative form. This is pure Johnny Depp-style off beat cinema that challenges cinematic conventions, and that questions deeper issues within the human experience. Those who have seen "Time Bandits," "...Baron Munchausen" and "Brazil" know Gilliam is not concerned with making a movie that fits within the parameters of traditional narrative, and traditional cinema. My advice is to sit back with plenty of soda and popcorn at your side so you won't have to miss anything. Take it scene by scene, and unlike what the...review suggests, you don't need to be stoned to enjoy this film. It is a feast for the eyes, and a safe escape from reason. But, be sure to question everything the screen shows you, and try to figure out what is real, what is made up for the hell of it, and what is drug-induced psychosis.
Rating:
Summary: This is good ether, man!
Review: I didn't think it possible but Terry Gilliam has brought "Fear and Loathing" to the screen. I had enjoyed the wise-cracking Bill Murray in "Where the Buffalo Roam" but that film stretched far and wide and went no where. Here, Gilliam is in complete control, which is no small fete given the character of the subject. Johnny Depp is at his deadpan best as Gonzo, but Benicio Del Toro steals the show, playing the crazy Samoan in all his kinetic glory. The scenes build as effortly on each other as they do in the book. The swirling carpet patterns and other metamorphoses are fantastic, and show that Gilliam is the master of bringing psychedelic visions to the big screen. Gilliam does a good job of handling the introspective scenes as well, such as when Gonzo looks back on the 60's, comparing it to a receding wave. Hunter Thompson even appears in this pivotal flashback scene. One of the many cameo appearances that highlight this film.
Rating:
Summary: great movie, [bad] reviewers
Review: i think the reason why people didnt like this movie was because they dont understand the movie. people say it has no plot but its not like every other movie were the plot is practically in writing on the movie screen. and to all you cameron dias fans that posted complaints....ignorance thats all i have to say.
Just because cameron dias was in the movie for like 2 minutes doesnt mean the movie sucks. you should have known that she wasnt a main character. and the movie is basically about a reporter and a lawyer who go on a mission if you will to find the "american dream": so johnny depp could write about his experiences... and along the way how drugs pretty much prevented him from doing so. so before you critisize actually think about what your saying other than blurting out stupidity. remember these posts are public.
Rating:
Summary: "We can't stop here! This is bat country!"
Review: Now.. admittedly, this movie can get very tedious. I'm not particularly a Johnny Depp fan, but now and again, I see some works of his (Sleepy Hollow, What's Eating Gilbert Grape) that remind me of what a class actor he really is. Having spent a lot of time with Hunter S. Thompson obviously worked a charm with Depp, as his performance shines as drugged out journalist Raoul Duke.
Duke has set off to Vegas with his attorney and a boot-full of the craziest drugs you could ever imagine in one setting. The entire course of the film is basically one enormous trip, and the part I particularly enjoyed about this film is that no matter how bent, there's always Duke talking you through the moment - expressing his terror and euphoria. I heard something about a lot of parents lobbying against this film because of the high drug intake, but in my opinion, after seeing bats attack you, reptiles in the casino lounge, and your attorney grow breasts on the side of his body, I don't think I'd ever touch the stuff these guys take. Films like Requiem For A Dream, Trainspotting and Fear and Loathing just help emphasise the reality of drug taking, and show the lows as well as the highs.
I commend the crew on this one.
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely brilliant
Review: Fear and loathing is one of the most outstanding films I have ever had the pleasure of watching. Anyone who thought it was boring, pointless, or the characters were unlikeable should be dragged out into the street and shot (ok...maybe that's a bit extreme), but I do find it disturbing that some people are so afraid to see what's on the other side of the door. With a bit of luck, they'll always be thinking that behind some door "men in red, woolen shirts are getting incredible kicks from things they'll never know". If you can identify at all with what you're reading, see this movie.
Rating: 
Summary: A poor adaptation of a good book
Review: This, as many before me have cited, is probably one of those stories that should never have left the stark pages of a book. It's nearly impossible to turn a drug trip into something you can actually film, but success is not impossible. Just look at "Trainspotting." The book is good. Not great, but it does leave a resounding feeling behind, which is, for the book, the way to go. You're left with questions, fears, and some wicked humor. As a movie however, the compelling story is reduced to a cheap, Halloween party. People parade around in stupid costumes, making you wonder "am i laughing at Johnny Depps performance, or the foam rubber lizard next to him?" It's something you just can't help but feel sad for: "This could have been so much more..." The sole reason to see this movie: Johnny Depp. His performance is good, is an insane way. Just don't go see this if it's high-class humor you're after.
Rating:
Summary: Got to like Hunter
Review: Hunter S Thompson one of Rolling Stone's greatest writers leads a wild & crazy life. He "almost" won as Aspen's Mayor back in the 80's & the platform he proposed was amazing! Funny story of Hunter & Gonzo! Try Fear & Loathing on the Campaign Trail, too!
Rating:
Summary: Simply a great film
Review: This movie is absolutely amazing. For one thing, the imagery is astonishing. The vivid language of an amazingly intelligent journalist played out through the eyes of a director capable of creating brazil is a wonderful combination. Secondly, the characters are spot on. Johnny Depp spent several months with Hunter S. Thompson to learn his mannerisms and speech patterns, and did it extremely well. But also, the lesser noticed part is the messages. You do not just follow two members of drug culture on adventures, you see the establishments stance, one that has since been declared unjust from the eyes of the man carrying the briefcase full of narcotics. But simply, this movie is just a twisted sort of fun. If nothing else, the adrenicol scene makes it worth renting, but the entire film makes it worth purchasing and will warrant at least several viewings to get all the imagery and cameos (Hunter Thompson at the bar for one). Buy it!
Rating:
Summary: Too weird to live, too rare to die...
Review: This is definitely one of those movies that you either love or hate, but I am one of those who LOVES it. I think it is hilarious and extremely quotable. Also, I think this may be one of Johnny's finest performances. He has Hunter pinned; he even sounds like him. I love it! Anyway, I highly recommend the film...I couldn't stop laughing.
Rating: 
Summary: Fear & Loathing In Las Vegas --- DVD Review
Review: If you haven't seen this film, shame on you. Well --- shame on me, because I'm only reviewing the Special Features off the Criterion Collection DVD. The one thing I always notice on these reviews is no one hardly ever explains the Special Features. I mean, they make a list of whats on it, but I think everyone should know how good the Special Features are in the case of spending gawdy amounts of cash on single movies. So here we go...First of all, one of the most essential Special Features of DVD (or atleast for me) is the Audio Commentaries. Disc One has three indivigual commentary tracks. The first is with Director Terry Gilliam. Now this track is pretty interesting, not great but worth listening to. You get to hear about the diffrence processes he went through into getting this film made. Commentary track number two is with actors Johnny Depp, Benecio Del Torro and Producer Laila Nabulsi. This track, in my opinion, should've been dismembered from the disc. It's a waste of time. Now track number three is without a doubt the best. Commentary number three is with the nut Hunter S. Thompson himself. This track is hilarious! He is off the wall! He jumps from one subject to the next, he's just plain hilarious, especially when he talks about Johnny Depp. Now, on to the deleted scenes. These were the same deleted scenes from the first DVD release. It's nothing special. There's a reason why most directors have deleted scenes on DVD and that's because they were deleted for a reason (like on the Freddy Vs. Jason alternate ending). The Collectible Booklet that comes with the DVD is very interesting, included is a piece written by Thompson himself, a piece by J. Hoberman and lots of wacky art work as well. The extra information on Oscar Zeta Acosta (Dr. Gonzo) is very interesting. Got some cool stuff on what he actually did do in real life. The DVD transfer on this Criterion Collection Edition is amazing. A great job with the picture and sound. The other cool thing about the DVD set is that it has a case like "The Stand" version and has a plastic cover slip, which is really cool. Other than that though, the rest of the Special Features are not really special. DVD PACKAGE: A+
PICTURE: A
SOUND: A
SPECIAL FEATURES: B
AUDIO COMMENTARIES: A
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