FemaleFirst.co.uk: DVD: Gattaca --Superbit [DVD] [1998]

Gattaca --Superbit [DVD] [1998]
enlarge	Director: Andrew Niccol Actors: Ethan Hawke, Uma Thurman, Jude Law, Gore Vidal, Xander Berkeley Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment Category: DVD List Price: ~~£12.99~~ Buy New: £5.98 as of 23/11/2009 08:26 GMT details You Save: £7.01 (54%) New (4) Used (7) from £4.44 Seller: halfpricedvds Rating: 60 reviews Sales Rank: 66765 Format: Anamorphic, PAL, Widescreen Languages: English (Original Language), Esperanto (Original Language) Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over Region: 2 Discs: 1 Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1 Number Of Discs: 1 Running Time: 102 Minutes Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2 Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6 EAN: 5035822523968 ASIN: B00006JNC4 Theatrical Release Date: October 24, 1997 Release Date: October 14, 2002 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days


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Editorial Reviews: Amazon.co.uk Review Confidently conceived and brilliantly executed, IGattaca/I had a somewhat low profile release in 1997, but audiences and critics hailed the film's originality. It's since been recognised as one of the most intelligent science fiction films of the 1990s. Writer-director Andrew Niccol, the talented New Zealander who also wrote the acclaimed Jim Carrey vehicle IThe Truman Show/I, depicts a near-future society in which one's personal and professional destiny is determined by one's genes. In this society, "Valids" (genetically engineered) qualify for positions at prestigious corporations, such as Gattaca, which grooms its most qualified employees for space exploration. "In-Valids" (naturally born), such as the film's protagonist, Vincent (Ethan Hawke), are deemed genetically flawed and subsequently fated to low-level occupations in a genetically caste society. With the help of a disabled "Valid" (Jude Law), Vincent subverts his society's social and biological barriers to pursue his dream of space travel; any random mistake--and an ongoing murder investigation at Gattaca--could reveal his plot. Part thriller, part futuristic drama and cautionary tale, IGattaca/I establishes its social structure so convincingly that the entire scenario is chillingly believable. With Uma Thurman as the woman who loves Vincent and identifies with his struggle, IGattaca/I is both stylish and smart, while Jude Law's performance lends the film a note of tragic and heartfelt humanity.I--Jeff Shannon/I

Customer Reviews: Showing reviews 1-5 of 60 1 2 3 4 5 6 ...12 Next » "THERE IS NO GENE FOR THE HUMAN SPIRIT" August 25, 2009 Michael JR Jose (the UK) 9 out of 9 found this review helpful Maybe Gattaca, which has great performances from some top stars, would be justly more famous if there were a large genre of 'tech noir', which was understood to about ordinary people in an ordinary world, but with the science and technology of the future both tightening the parameters of the game, and increasing the glittering prizes which are most certainly not for all. But it has to be admitted that this is also a gritty parable, which hits hard and low, and is as much a dystopia as Star Wars is a feelgood romp. br / br /In the world of Gattaca (which is the name of the aerospace company in the film, formed from the initials of the amino acids which compose DNA - Glycine, Adenine, Thymine, and Cytosine), the engineering of DNA has reached the point where there are now two tribes - those with the best engineered DNA, giving them strength, height, the desired hair colour, intelligence, perfect eyesight, etc. And the others, with the usual human flaws and variabilities. Anyone can get a test to tell you to a percentage point whether you will die of heart failure or cancer though, which is handy for planning your life but not so handy for getting insurance cover for the things you really need it for. Girls kiss their dates to get a DNA sample on their lips, and get a quick five-minute DNA readout to check whether it is worth a second night out. br / br /Our hero (Ethan Hawke) is the ordinary man who sets out to beat the system which condemns him to being second class. One of the best of the DNA best whose life proved that having all the advantages does not guarantee success in life helps him. "There is no gene for fate", is the moral of the story and it is delivered as a low key line. This is a film which relies on the overall effect to make its point. The official tag-line of the film, which is on the DVD cover is similar: "There is no gene for the human spirit". It all proves that the Selfish Gene is not the first or last word on human life or our future. The ending is a shocker, and all the better for that. All consuming intensity.. July 25, 2006 M. Partridge (Cornwall, England) 5 out of 5 found this review helpful I first saw this film when i was 14, and even then i knew what a masterpiece it was. For many years i had forgoetten about this film, until i saw it on television. br / br /This film has now become one of my favourate films, and i watch it religously. I am a strong believer that a score can make or break a film, and in this instance the score is right on the money. The score is as intense as the film is, and has an air of high class about it. br / br /The film itself has a clinical feel, which is perfect for the story line, yet in myself at least, it stirs up alot of emotion. br /I think that the acting in this film is very good, as they convey the emotionless state of society, yet give glimpses of the dwelling feelings underneath. br / br /I can understand how some people will not like this film, just as i can understand how some people do not like "Brazil", or "Solaris", but i would say that your definatly missing out on something very special. All science fiction fans should see this film. January 4, 2003 19 out of 22 found this review helpful Gattaca is a beautiful film.pI've read a review that focuses on fingernail clippings and criticises the special effects which has spurred me to defend this film.pYes, in the opening credits we see closeups of finger nail clippings falling to the floor, but they are almost beautiful set against the light blue background. However, I don't know many people that are only interested in the opening credits.pSo, if you think science fiction is only about special effects, go watch a big budget, badly acted, 'run of the mill', 'Sci-Fi' film. If you want to watch a modern classic of the science fiction genre watch Gattaca.pThe visuals in this film are amazing. The cyber-punk world, that we are presented with, features a beautiful mix of many different periods of the last century. Everything is sleek and smooth. This film is science fiction for the young professional.pWhen I buy a DVD and there are deleted scenes on it, I always think to myself that one or two of them should have been left in. However watching Gattaca's 'Lost Scenes' I realized just how much this film had been crafted. None of these sequences deserved being placed into the film. This film really is a work of art. Everything is just right.pForget about the science fiction for a moment though. This film is inspiring. The cover states "There is no gene for the human spirit". This film tells us that we can do anything. Nothing is set in stone, we can control our own fate.pWhen I'm depressed I watch this film, it motivates me, like no other.pThe only real shock was that Danny DeVito was a producer on this film. My opinion of him has altered post-Gattaca. Bladerunner for the 90s? March 19, 2002 S Cooper-Groom (Colchester, Essex United Kingdom) 9 out of 10 found this review helpful Intelligent, slick and topical, this film has few flaws and should be a benchmark for all Science Fiction film makers. More Huxley than Orwell, Gattaca's 'Brave New World' is light, bright, clean and above all healthy, however, it reveals a distopia in which the unemotional order of science seeks to conquer the 'inadequacies' of the human condition and spirit.pExcellent casting, especially of Jude Law in a strong supporting role, this film will be classified as a 'must own' from the good old days of the 1990s. Tense: Future imperfect (genetic style) December 22, 2005 Kurt Messick (London, SW1) 18 out of 21 found this review helpful Gattaca is a fascinating science fiction/mystery movie, set in the 'not too distant future', in which astronauts dress in stylish, roaring-twenties inspired clothing and where the world seems to be finely ordered and sequenced, just like a genetic code.pIn fact, it is the genetic code which determines all. Test-tube babies are the norm for anyone who wants to have a chance; screening out imperfections has become routine, and those who have the misfortune of being born outside the system of genetic checks and balances will find themselves invalid (in-valid in the sense of not valid for work, as well as invalid in the sense of incapacitated for advancement). Society has been structured around a pre-defined sense of potential as projected by genetic codes. But there are a few who challenge the system.pMeet Vincent, a.k.a. Jerome Morrow (played by Ethan Hawke), who dreams of the stars and lusts for a position at Gattaca (the new-age NASA), but with the genetic code of a loser. Enter Jerome Morrow, a.k.a. Eugene (played by Jude Law), who has the potential, but also a broken spinal cord -- he lends Vincent, through an ingenious and intricate system, his genetic sequence. In this guise, Vincent thus rises to the position of navigator, selected for the great Titan/Saturn mission.pThen, the director gets murdered. A flake of skin falls from Vincent which the investigators find, and the chase is on. The launch is a week away. Will Vincent outrun the pursuers in time?pOf course, Vincent's pursuers are led by his brother, the genetically-planned offspring of the family, who thought that Vincent was dead. There is an ultimate contest, which Vincent wins, proving the victory of determination over pre-determination.pVincent, in the person of Jerome, falls in love with Irene (played by Uma Thurman), who works at Gattaca in a sort of genetic quality-control position. She falls in love the potential, the idea of Jerome, but eventually comes to love the imperfect Vincent. She herself, for all the genetic planning, also has an imperfection, which makes her all the more attractive to Vincent.pGore Vidal has a small but crucial role as a flight director in charge of keeping things on track (with style!) as the murder investigation threatens the operations at Gattaca.pThis movie is a visually interesting, unique, and much under-rated and under appreciated show. It won awards for art direction and other stylistic touches, including the Oscar. pI won't spoil the ending, but suffice it to say that Vincent and Jerome both leave the earth.p'For someone never meant for this world, I must confess, I'm suddenly having a hard time leaving it. Of course, they say that every atom of our body was once part of a star. Maybe I'm not leaving. Maybe I'm going home.'pInterestingly, the idea of genetics is woven into the movie in very many ways, some subtle, some explicit. The very title, Gattaca, consists of the strands of bases that comprise the double helix of DNA G (guanine), A (adenine), C (cytosine), and T (thymine) -- the sequence of these bases constitutes genetic information, much as the arrangement of the 26 letters of this alphabet constitutes information.pThis is a clever film, a bit slow, but stylish, suspenseful, wonderfully visual, and well worth a weekend evening investment. Showing reviews 1-5 of 60 1 2 3 4 5 6 ...12 Next »

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