One of the most enjoyable sci-fi movies (maybe the most enjoyable) that I have ever seen, Predestination is weird, engrossing, and utterly enjoyable for every single moment; the writing, acting, sets, cinematography, every element of this film is just spot on wonderful. Kudos to the writers for not screwing up the Heinlein story, and for delivering it comprehensibly in 90 odd minutes, and kudos to Ethan Hawke and Sarah Snook for carrying the acting on their shoulders. Ethan Hawke has been in a collection of not-so-great sci-fi flicks across the years, but with Predestination he finally hit on one worthy of his considerable acting talent. I will watch this again soon.
In all fairness, I think that this review is confusing because Ms. Dargis is trying to avoid putting in plot spoilers. If so, I think she should have just said this is why she is writing this way. This movie is very strange and leaves you liking it very much in some ways, but also feeling quite dissatisfied in one very important detail. I think people should watch this movie and then watch it again. To say why would reveal too much. In any case, as they say - It's definitely worth the experience.
5
Yes. I agree. I know the detail you are referring to. The character dismisses it too easily. Two more lines of dialogue would have made it better but maybe there is no way to really fix it if one wants to maintain the film's internal logic.
One of the best movies I've seen in a long while, and by far the best adaptation of not only RAH's work, but also of any great science fiction tale. The performances are extraordinary, the conclusion satisfying if shocking, and the music haunting but perfectly fitting.
1
I wonder how long it will take "Predestination" to become a streamer on Netflix or on Amazon Prime (Free)Instant Video. It doesn't seem to be as self-indulgent as Lars Von Trier's lewd and nihilistic "Nymphomaniac: Volume II," which took about four months from its release.
Instead, this rather clever review suggests (to me) an aspiring, never-mentored, cinematic egoist's scramble of characterizations and scenes, put across with what seems to be some skilled but self-regarding camera work and fancy editing.
I give it six months, max.
Instead, this rather clever review suggests (to me) an aspiring, never-mentored, cinematic egoist's scramble of characterizations and scenes, put across with what seems to be some skilled but self-regarding camera work and fancy editing.
I give it six months, max.
One of the cleverest movies I've seen in a long time, but you have to pay close attention.
3
Sounds like a movie version of "Quantum Leap" but maybe not as good
I can't tell from either the review or the trailer whether this movie is any good or not. When is a review not a review? The January rule is that it is dumped during the slowest time for Hollywood in order to avoid much interest or scrutiny. I'm not spending $8.00 on a gamble. Do anybody wonder how come last year's ticket sales were off by double digits?
1
I look forward to seeing this film, but with a certain trepidation. Past attempts to bring RAH's material to cinema have run from poor to disastrous (Starship Troopers and Puppet Masters come to mind at once). I only hope that the writers have decided to leave the story intact this time, rather than keeping the bare bones and a few character names and building their own Frankenstein's creature out of spare plots lying about the studio.
3
I'm always disappointed when a movie I'm interested in learning about is reviewed by this reviewer. This writer seems unable to perform two of the basic requirements of a movie reviewer:
1. Provide a coherent synopsis of plot.
2. Indicate whether the movie is good or bad.
In addition I often find it difficult to unpack the writer's sentences. Maybe I'm just dense, but it often seems to me as though English is not the writer's native tongue.
What else could explain such nonsense constructions such as this one: "The Spierigs more or less untangle the proceedings enough so that you grasp how the Unmarried Woman became a he and...the pivot and whatzit."
1. Provide a coherent synopsis of plot.
2. Indicate whether the movie is good or bad.
In addition I often find it difficult to unpack the writer's sentences. Maybe I'm just dense, but it often seems to me as though English is not the writer's native tongue.
What else could explain such nonsense constructions such as this one: "The Spierigs more or less untangle the proceedings enough so that you grasp how the Unmarried Woman became a he and...the pivot and whatzit."
22
Having read the story many times, that sentence is much less convoluted than the plot line it refers to.
1
Her name is at the top of the page, you know...
3
The sentence in question currently reads as "The Spierigs more or less untangle the proceedings enough so that you grasp how the Unmarried Woman became a he and — over time — the pivot and whatzit."
The movie reviewer apparently considers "whatzit" cute somehow. I consider it pathetically inarticulate. Even were we to replace it with something like "whatever"", however, we'd still have an unintelligible muddle.
The movie reviewer apparently considers "whatzit" cute somehow. I consider it pathetically inarticulate. Even were we to replace it with something like "whatever"", however, we'd still have an unintelligible muddle.
4
I saw this last week (don't ask how) and it was a very confusing but very entertaining movie. I was especially impressed with Ms. Snook and from this review she seems to be under appreciated. It's hard to believe she plays the male version of her character so well. I still don't think it's her. The movie is worth seeing just for her performance.
3
A brilliant movie that shows the Spierig brothers have, by far, trumped the Nolan brothers in storytelling chops.
2
Hi.
I just watched this on VOD and that's a good thing because I'll probably have to watch it again.
Look, time travel is not possible at this time in this world, but it is a heck of a lot of fun to play around with in motion pictures where we have the magical ability to play around with whatever we want.
This movie is fun entertainment and it will definitely give you a brain cramp. Snook is terrific.
Sit back. Enjoy.
And don't ask too many questions.
I just watched this on VOD and that's a good thing because I'll probably have to watch it again.
Look, time travel is not possible at this time in this world, but it is a heck of a lot of fun to play around with in motion pictures where we have the magical ability to play around with whatever we want.
This movie is fun entertainment and it will definitely give you a brain cramp. Snook is terrific.
Sit back. Enjoy.
And don't ask too many questions.
2
I saw it in Melbourne (where it was actually filmed) & while the story is great on paper, it was a little long-winded in the retelling. Time travel aficionados will enjoy see Robert Heinlein's story brought to life.
I finally got to see this. Impressive adaptation of Heinlein's intricate short story, better than I ever thought was possible. The plot, of course, is the point, and even in the short story you didn't want to look TOO closely at how Heinlein makes the sausage. The film captures Heinlein's comic tone beautifully. Kudos all around. I'm surprised this excellent film didn't make more of a splash when first released.