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What Dreams May Come - DVD
Director: Vincent Ward
Writers: Ronald Bass, Richard Matheson (novel)
Producers: Barnet Bain
Studio: Goodtimes
Characters:
Robin Williams -- Chris Nielson
Annabella Sciorra -- Annie Nielson
Cuba Gooding, Jr. -- Albert
Features: Interactive Menus, Scene Index, Widescreen 2.35:1, ENGLISH: Dolby Digital Surround [CC]
Review: I had to face some hard truths when I watched this movie last night. I
have seen it at least five or six times now, and I have finally gotten
past the visuals to the actual story. I'm sorry to say that there
isn't really much there.
The end of Alien3 does not leave much room for a sequel, so creating a
viable background for this movie was no easy task. Unfortunately, Joss
Whedon wasn't really up to it. Somebody who most assuredly was
up to their task was director Jean-Pierre Jeunet whom afficianados of
fine cinema might know him from his previous work in the amazing French
films "Delicatessen" and "City of Lost Children" (neither of which is
currently available on DVD -- damn).
Those familiar with Jeunet's other films will probably recognize Ron
Perlman (CoLC) and Dominique Pinon (was in both films) who play an
ill-tempered tough and a disabled mechanic respectively. Also in the
film are Michael Wincott (The Crow, Robin Hood: Prince of Theives, and
many others), Gary Dourdan (Playing God), and the beautiful Winona
Ryder (Edward Scissorhands, Reality Bites). The acting in Resurrection
is okay -- not exceptional in any way -- but I must complain about the
turn Ripley has taken.
The plot involves some sort of genetic combination of Ripley and the
alien which results, apparently, in Ripley sniffing people a lot and
looking really old. Uh... Seriously, though, Sigourney's performance
is borderline silly which would be fine if it weren't supposed to be
serious. And don't get me started about the basketball scene....
Back to the good parts, though. Historically, Jeunet's films have
been visually stunning, and Alien Resurrection is no exception. From
the first frame of the credits a wise viewer will recognize that a
beautiful film is unfolding in front of them, and that impression stays
strong throughout the film. The aliens look really good, the
sets are amazing, etc, etc. If you know and love Jeunet's other films,
see the movie, but don't expect the plot to move you the same way his
visuals can. If you want the best movie watch the first one.
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