bootboyd

What gives Spielberg the moral right to debase another man's

artistic vision in this puerile way? Why did SS make the film if he

didn't like the idea behind it? There is obviously a kernel of an interesting film in here. If it had

ended 45 minutes earlier, there might still be - slightly derivative

of Bladerunner, but interesting. Unfortunately either Spielberg

didn't understand the original conception of the film, or he didn't

care for it. The result is a grown-up, dark and philosophical film

which somewhere along the line degrades into something of

which Disney would be ashamed. Crass.

Beautiful production values cannot camouflage the mistakes in this film. Poorly plotted and finally pointless, film ends up looking like Flash Gordon meets Dune. If only it had Brian Blessed in it. Perhaps the weakest of Besson's offerings to date.

...but what style! The most expensive French film ever made when it came out, this film features some spectacular set-pieces, particularly the French bi-centennial celebrations that provide a backdrop. It has its weaknesses, but when I saw this in the cinema I was blown away. Denis Lavant puts in a particularly strong performance as Alex, the depressive and tender down-and-out obsessed with Binoche's Michele. Watch it, even if you find nothing else in it, the visuals are astonishing.