Branded

this could be better i guess

the first half of the movie goes really slow and you don't know what is actually going to come out of this - almost made me give up on movie.

if you decide to watch on there is some sort of a more interesting story going on, that is actually the essence of this movie: how brands are taking over the world, shaping it, shaping us. the way it is put, i guess it is only good that it was made in Russia, and probably partly produced by Russian company - makes the statement more bold, although still quite shallow

generally, what i liked about this movie is exactly this statement about marketing and mass culture of consumerism, too bad it misses some production touches, otherwise it could be quite good

This is a strange one folks, but just strange enough. On the surface it seems to be railing against the institute of advertising. From just that level, it is a bit flat.

On the level of sci-fi, one can see the suggestion that the brands are alien monsters bent upon domination of earth. We have been bought and sold to feed their needs.

Underneath this though, is a much deeper message - one of our own personal consumerism. In the West we believe that we are free, but this movie, using a surrealistic approach, questions that for us. It's been said that you can get addicted to anything, even your favorite soda. So, what are you addicted to? Where have you, moment by moment, given up your life?

Will you like this movie? Not if you just want to sit back and be entertained. It does have a decent plot, and good acting, as well as decent CGI. What it doesn't have is an easy to swallow, cookie-cutter script.

It's several kinds of stories layered on top of each other including love story, spy story, critique of consumer culture, mystery, schizophrenic story, with an ending that is a bit magical realist. Keeps you wondering and guessing throughout. Great characters and story-telling draw you in and you care about them. Definitely worth seeing. I went into this film with no preconceptions other than a sci-fi take on consumer culture. Found the film very enjoyable and well told. Setting the film in post-Soviet Russia with an onslaught of American consumer capitalism was a nice angle to the "genre" of consumerism critique films. Frankly, I don't think the director quite knew what genre of the film it was but that's okay. Was a very fun ride.

The movie comes a bit slow but after 10 minutes it delivers its purpose and keeps you watching tensed until the last second !

We really enjoyed the movie and it had for all of us important messages.

Its indeed interesting to know that its done by Russians and not Hollywood. I can't imagine that this story would find a studio there.

I really don't understand all this haters here who don't give it even a 2. There are far more worst movies and this is definitely a good one.

I give 7 for acting, 6 for plot 5 for effects, 8 for the message !

Please, give it a try, its funny and straight !

Somewhere at the far edges of the absurd, the profound can be found. This movie can be enjoyed strictly as a comedy, it can be taken seriously by a few, but most should know this film reaches further than it could ever truly grasp. Branded is flawed, fun, and perhaps best enjoyed in an extremely tired, alternative state of mind.

A few reviews and reviewers note that this film does not live up to its own advertising. There is irony there, but what does live up to advertising? Advertising is amongst the biggest waist of resources in contemporary society. Not just in terms of illusory currency, but the waist of many of todays greatest artists, thinkers, and idea makers; professionals payed to spin lies and manipulate participants of mass media consumption.

Branded may only scratch the surface of many important current problems caused by modern media, but at least its creators and performers put themselves "out there" to ask some interesting questions. May more artists ask important questions, and help move us all to a better place.