Endlessly and mindlessly violent story of a fascist future society that destroys anything--*anything*--that could spur human emotions (except, apparently, suspicion and indignation). The greatest executioner "cleric" discovers his partner hasn't been taking his emotion-numbing medication and embarks on a predictable path toward his own emotional enlightenment that includes listening to Beethoven and not killing puppies.
It's a stylish and well-acted exercise in trite pontificating. Who advocates an emotionless society? It's ridiculous. You've seen the idea before in THX1138, Fahrenheit 451, and 1984. You've seen the art direction in Star Wars, The Handmaid's Tale, and The Matrix. You've seen the action in The Matrix and every action movie since The Matrix.
It's relentlessly silly, with predictable twists and head-shaking psychology. Worst of all, it's guilty of the very emotionlessness that it attacks. There is not one moment of genuine pathos in the film. We care nothing for any character because no character is actually developed beyond a cardboard cutout.
If you've been thru the full complement of stylish techno action flicks, you might as well see this one too. It beats stuffing beans up your nose, I guess.
It's a stylish and well-acted exercise in trite pontificating. Who advocates an emotionless society? It's ridiculous. You've seen the idea before in THX1138, Fahrenheit 451, and 1984. You've seen the art direction in Star Wars, The Handmaid's Tale, and The Matrix. You've seen the action in The Matrix and every action movie since The Matrix.
It's relentlessly silly, with predictable twists and head-shaking psychology. Worst of all, it's guilty of the very emotionlessness that it attacks. There is not one moment of genuine pathos in the film. We care nothing for any character because no character is actually developed beyond a cardboard cutout.
If you've been thru the full complement of stylish techno action flicks, you might as well see this one too. It beats stuffing beans up your nose, I guess.