A Scanner Darkly (2006)

25Jan07

A Scanner Darkly (2006)

Netflix Synopsis: Keanu Reeves shoulders another futuristic role in director Richard Linklater’s sci-fi thriller based on Philip K. Dick’s novel. Working as an undercover cop in a world where almost everyone is addicted to Substance D — which produces split personalities in its users — Fred Arctor (Reeves) sets up an elaborate sting to nab a notorious drug runner named Bob. But little does Fred know that “Bob” is … his alter ego.

Review: This movie had everything going for it. It had a very neat and unique look, it was based on a sci-fi story by Phillip K. Dick, who I hear is a great writer. It had conspiracy theories, government oversight, bad guys, good guys and confused drug abusers. Where did it go wrong? I think the story had a great deal of potential and the animation style had a lot going for it, but the two together felt messy, scattered and flimsy. The synopsis says that this guy Fred organized a sting to bring down Bob, but that he doesn’t know Bob is him. I never got that sense, it seemed the whole movie that Fred (which was the name he used when working with the police) knew he was Bob, and because he seems to know he is Bob, you are left scratching your head and wondering why he says and does some of the things he does. If they wanted us to think he had no idea, they didn’t do a very good job of it. All in all I feel this movie fell short of what it wanted to achieve. You could feel it wanting to be better, but it never quite got there. It was a sad disappointment.

Rating:

Submitted by: Heather 1/25/07

Filed under: Reviews   |  Leave a Comment