zweistein

For some time I have been hearing people refer to to The 13th Floor, mostly when comparing to other movies of the genre like The Matrix. I finally got around to view it myself, and I was positively surprised. After seeing Matrix I and II, its hard to imagine a film that can be on par. The 13th Floor is it. Not in action, stunts or CG, but by presenting an old, yet interesting idea in wonderful pictures and a genre between sci-fi and mystery. The main protagonists "calmness and integrity" contrasts with the absurd situation the characters are in. Camera, lighting and the "textures" are excellent and the sound track perfectly completes the unique atmosphere.

Very recommended!

Many years have passed since I saw that movie in my youth. In all those years some of the visuals of it reappeared in my mind. I remembered the creepy feelings when the lights of the Cygnus turned on, that big red brute appeared on the stage, and the terrible secret of the Cygnus' crew was revealed, all of this greatly enhanced by a sound track that easily beats the old Star Wars movies. Maximilian Schell as Dr. Hans Reinhard definitely had the most rewarding role as the mad genius and captain of the ghost ship. Yes, I remember discussing the ridiculous scientific plot holes AFTER leaving the theater, but thats not something you notice when you feel like being in that huge ship yourself while watching the movie on the big screen.

Now that I dug up this gem again, I expected to be disappointed like with many other sci-fi movies from that era. I was happy that it didn't happen. Sure, the effects are a bit outdated these days, but most of the visuals and the music score are still stunning and invoked the old feelings.

If you like atmospheric and creepy sci-fi like 2001 you might want to see this one, too.

I agree this is a nice, funny, enjoyable movie. It has a lot of good ideas, beautifully rendered scenery and cuddly characters. However, it lacks the depth of the competition, "Antz" which I watched right before "A Bug's Life". Do you know "Maya the Bee"? This movie is a bit like this TV series, about all sorts of insects living together and having fun. The story is OK, bug not great - Ants are bullied by a gang of grasshoppers, but with enough courage they can fight them off by their sheer numbers. A bunch of circus bugs is needed to make the ants realize this. No one really gets scared by the movie, the well animated bugs look all cute, including the "bad guys". The movie is in the best tradition of Disney movies, good quality but very predictable. Pixar did a great job nevertheless.