Rating: 
Summary: Damn Good Film!
Review: "Dead Again" was penned by Scott Frank ("Get Shorty", "Out of Sight") and is a perfect combination of comedy (which is often hidden, but very hilarious when you find it) and suspense.The story involves Mike Church (Kenneth Branagh who also directs) who is asked to find out the identity of a woman who cannot talk ("Grace"--Ken's former wife Emma Thompson). The story takes a little while to get started, but once it does, it is worth it as Grace gets regressed into a past life by a hypnotist (Derek Jacobi). The film has many plot twists and is all-around plain fun as things begin to unravel. Also included on this DVD is a full-length feature commentary by Kenneth Branagh which is informative, but not so interesting. There is another commentary by writer Scott Frank and Producer Lindsay Doran which is also informative, but because of the chemistry between the two, it is humorous. I think that anyone who enjoys the idea of Karma, good acting, Hitchcockian films, or Kenneth Branagh will enjoy this film.
Rating:
Summary: My All-time Favorite Movie!
Review: Love, death, reincarnation, and a murder mystery that spans two generations. Romance, suspense, amnesia, and action. Robin Williams in a small-but-crutial role demonstrating he can act, not just bounce off the walls. A classic film noir feel that is enhanced by the black-and-white 40's period flashbacks. This one has it all! Just when you think you know what's going to happen next, reality turns inside out. Keep you seat belt firmly fastened until the movie comes to a complete stop!
Rating: 
Summary: Masterfully done
Review: I'm often dubious of movies that are dubbed "suspenseful thrillers" -- doubly so when they are recommended to me (as this film was). My supreme disappointment with the easily predicted The Usual Suspects has taught me to approach such recommendations with extreme caution. Fortunately, Dead Again was so thoroughly enjoyable that my extreme caution will be at least temporarily lifted. Kenneth Branagh sheds his all-too-familiar Shakespearean persona to don that of Mike Church, an L.A. private investigator who gets involved with trying to piece back together the life of the woman he calls "Grace" (Emma Thompson): a woman who suffers from amnesia coupled with debilitatingly frightening dreams. These dreams are presented to us as an alternate reality -- filmed in black and white -- which is eventually further explored by an amateur hypnotist. The plot is highly engaging from the start, mostly due to superb characterization in the writing, and excellent acting to back it up (watch for the extended Robin Williams cameo). There are parts where the directing is a bit heavy-handed. If you're at all familiar with Branagh's directing, though, you'll probably expect this from the outset. It works more often in his Shakespeare films than it does here, but you'll find yourself so involved in the plot that you'll excuse Branagh's occasional directorial overdramatization. Just as you can forgive his overzealous American accent. Overall, this is just a fun film. The tone is decidedly dark, but the plot rolls along with such a rapid pace that it becomes a fun ride to see what happens next.
Rating: 
Summary: Buy the DVD for Branagh's Commentary
Review: I thought the film was way over the top on mood and effects. It was a complete distraction from the characters and plot. I think it could have been much easier to watch if it had been filmed with 1/2 the intensity. But the cast is wonderful and Branagh's commentary on the DVD gives great information about film making, the challenges to stage the scenes, and the process of refining the story. I will buy the DVD to get the commentary and will watch that much more than the film.
Rating:
Summary: A delicious black comedy thriller
Review: Two reincarnated lovers, a mysterious 1940's murder, anmesia, a hard-boiled LA detective ... it's film noir on steroids! Kenneth Branagh and Emma Thompson are wonderful in playing all four leads, sliding back and forth between 1948 black-and-white and 1991 color in a complex intercut storyline. Andy Garcia, Derek Jacobi, and Robin Williams are also excellent in their quirky roles. It is the kind of movie you can watch over and over again to see what you missed the last time around. The DVD edition is particularly worthwhile because it has two separate commentary tracks, one by director-star Kenneth Branagh and the other by the producer and the screen writer. Together, these commentaries supply a mountain of background information on how the movie came about and what decisions were made during filming.
Rating:
Summary: Simply brilliant!
Review: Dead Again VHS~ Kenneth Branagh is an excellent movie with great chemistry between the actors and an intriguing storyline. It does not hurt either that Emma Thompson is in the movie. She is very attractive and intelligent which are indeed two traits that one seldom finds in a person. The story line is well thought of and I like the fact that violence is kept to a minimum. Baldwin is great as the inquisitive inspector (probably the best part he has ever done). The scenes when the hypnotism is being performed are especially intense and they do not feel forced or phony.
Rating:
Summary: Too "Clever" For It's Own Good
Review: First we're led to believe that Mike Church & Grace Sharp were Roman & Margaret Strauss, respectively, in a past life in which Roman was believed to have killed Margaret. Logically, Grace becomes suspicious & fearful of Mike as she undergoes several past-life regressions. But wait! About three quarters of the way through the movie we find out that their past-life identities were just the reverse! Not only that, but we also learn that the murderer isn't who we thought it was. All of this only serves to make the interrelationships of the present-day characters, & their reactions to each other, totally illogical. To add to the nonsense, Robin Williams, as former therapist & past-life regression/reincarnation "expert" Cozy Carlisle tells Mike that he has to kill Grace, because that's the way karma works? Anyone who believes in reincarnation & karma will probably find this totally ridiculous, & anyone who doesn't believe probably won't be interested in this one in the first place.
Rating:
Summary: I LOVE IT....AGAIN
Review: Following on the heels of the overwhelmingly successful HENRY V, Keneth Branagh, child prodigy of the British Theatre, chose the screenplay DEAD AGAIN for his followup venture. In an American interview, he stated at the time that he decided to make a fun little Hollywood film....which if it was horrible, he could merely return to England and continue on acting on the stage. This little hollywood film is absolutley brilliant, stylish, and fun. It has all of the elements of a film noir and ultimately it satisfies the viewers. Now with the DVD version, FINALLY available, I can introduce my friends to this classic. The DVD is not perfect. The picture is a little grainy at times, which leads me to believe that more effort could have been taken in cleaning it up. However, it has some nice extras, including a director's commentary, by Branagh, something that is sorely lacking on Much Ado About Nothing and Henry V (I won't mention Frankenstein, because I seem to be the only person in the world who thought Branagh's version was great fun). You simply won't find a more entertaining film than DEAD AGAIN. And even though the plot surprises will only grab you the first time, it is a movie that can be enjoyed again and again.
Rating:
Summary: What a Twist!
Review: I just loved this movie. I saw it in the theatre & it was just great. Emma Thompson & Kenneth Branaugh both deliver wonderful performances playing dual roles. The flashbacks to the 1940's were so believable & intricate. This movie contains many little twists & turns along the way. Look for some of the same actors to show up in the past and the present. Andy Garcia & Robin Williams both have small but significant roles in this movie. I especially enjoyed Williams' role as the psychiatrist turned stockboy! He adds much insight to the whole reincarnation aspect of this movie. Karma is a bitch! The DVD is a little lacking in the Special Features department, though. Only commentary tracks. Although the commentary from Branaugh himself is quite fun to listen to. Movie a 4-1/2 - DVD a 3! Enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: A trio of fine actors....
Review: I'm an Emma Thompson fan and have seen all her films including those she made with her now ex-husband Kenneth Branagh (their recent breakup occurred over "another woman" reputed to be Helena Bonham Carter). My all time favorite by this pair of actors is "Much Ado About Nothing." "Dead Again" is probably my least favorite film, however, Miss Thompson is a fabulous actress, so a bad day for her is good day for most other actresses. The storyline of this film is interesting, particularly for those who think past lives are possible. According to one of the main characters, we not only have past lives, but everyone with whom you shared a past life shows up again in some form in the next life. It's as if human existence consists of a repertory company playing endless roles through eternity. Well, why not. I have a lot of unfinished business with various people I've lost in this life and there is some comfort in thinking I might get closure in the next life, or the one after that...or the one after that. Branagh must have been attracted to this script because of it's Shakespearen elements...dreams, ghosts, unfinished business, a jealous husband killing an innocent wife (or being framed for the deed), and downright wickedness (out damn spot, out). Derek Jacobi (Cadfael and Claudius) plays an eccentric antique dealer who tries to help the haunted Miss Thompson (nameless at first) through regressive hypnosis. Regressive hypnosis is used by psychiatrists to help trauma victims remember events they have subconsciously blocked that cause conscious distress. Miss Thompson has been exhibiting some very distressed behaviour. Mike Church (Branagh) was raised at the Catholic convent school where Miss Thompson was found one dark and stormy night. The senior clergy have asked Mike to help Miss Thompson. But, what if the patient remembers events from a previous life, and what if that person was not the victim at all but rather a witness...or worse yet, the perpetrator of the crime? This film must be what is considered "high camp" as it is obvious to me a great deal of tongue in cheek stuff is going on. Picture a disturbed artist with a loft full of paintings, sculptures, etc. all depicting one or more pairs of sharp scissors. Jacobi's antiques dealer isn't the only eccentric in LA. The actors had a great deal of fun making this film and while I was scared the first time I watched it, the next time it struck me as really funny. Too bad Kenneth and Emma aren't "Together Again."
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