Gattaca

Gattaca takes place in a pretty interesting setting, but its story, though original, didn’t captivate me that much. A week after watching it, the only thing I remember is that I wanted to know more about its world and that I didn’t find the hero very likeable. Otherwise, decent. (2009.09.22)

Is it possible to make a good sci-fi film without hi-tech weapons, futuristic vehicles, slow-motion shots, and generally without any hint of the future (apart from the opening title)? Andrew Niccol proved that it is! At first glance, the entire film is based on a strongly utopian vision of the world, where people are divided into genetically perfect and... genetic waste. The utopia, however, lasts until every more sensible viewer reflects on the message of the film and, whether they like it or not, acknowledges that a frontal clash with this problem may indeed happen at some point. Niccol, however, doesn't scare the viewer with his apocalyptic vision (as his fellow sci-fi filmmakers often do) but presents it as a stark fact that the viewer must accept in order to engage with the story. That's why Niccol avoids all flashy, but attention-diverting tricks mentioned at the beginning. That we are indeed a bit further in the future is only hinted at by Niccol through sparse facts, such as flying to various planets and their moons. Yes, the entry ticket to Gattaca can also be taken into account. Thanks to the camera work of Sławomir Idziak, who uses an unhealthy yellow filter to shoot both interiors and exteriors where the story takes place, Niccol managed to create the atmosphere that every viewer expects from a genre film. Ethan Hawke's smooth performance, with Jude Law hot on his heels, and even a small role by Xander Berkeley (as a doctor), is so impressive that it makes the timid stumbling of Uma Thurman somewhere in the background all the more regrettable. Even though Gattaca doesn't hold any trump cards to dazzle us with, it's still a film that's not easily forgotten. Which, in the absence of the bombastic visual effects, is an almost superhuman feat. (2005.06.12)

Andrew Niccol really is the man. His first screenplay, his first project that got turned into a movie and it was a work of genius. On top of that, you get great actors such as Ethan Hawke and Jude Law, who do a terrific job making the story more human because no matter what Gattaca might pretend to be it’s a very civil sci-fi movie, which is based on an original idea and which makes you constantly think about it. The only thing I’m sorry about is that I saw this movie when I was still very little. Back then, I wasn’t able to understand it and even after all those years I can’t be excited enough about it to give it a five-star review. (2015.12.06)

Gattaca is literally an embodiment of the genre essence of sci-fi and in every aspect it is a highly above-standard movie, where all the ingredients that make up a good artistic work are excellently harmonized and balanced. An imaginative screenplay utilizing the latest scientific discoveries and speculating where these findings and new technologies can lead society. Sensitive, highly professional direction that can evoke strong emotions without cheap effects, cast which has no visible weaknesses and brings a lot of great performances. Gattaca is actually already here, we just haven't fully realized it yet, but in about twenty years we will be fully facing what is depicted in Gattaca. Overall impression: 100%. It is astonishing how such an exceptional film could be created with such a small budget. (2006.06.13)

Today it’s a slightly outdated sci-fi film, whose industrial setting and functionalist feeling are interesting but also somewhat utopian. But it is rich in plot, inventive in many aspects, and an interesting concept that is enjoyable and entertaining even without tons of makeup in the form of visual effects. (2014.02.21)

I see that I'm writing my thousandth review, so I'll try to do something at least a little bit meaningful-) Gattaca is a fine sci-fi movie with a very original story, great actors and a captivating atmosphere that grabs you from the start and just won't let go. But it's not a revolutionary vision of the future in the style of A.I.: Artificial Intelligence or 12 Monkeys, it's much more about the characters and their relationships, and the real sci-fi elements appear more in the background, even though they are its main essence and clue. In fact, the whole film is pulled by the main idea of perfect and genetically engineered humans, which Niccol plays with brilliantly, preparing for genre fans 100 minutes of unique and imaginative entertainment that has much more charm than lightsabers or warring robots. All of that is enhanced by the trio of protagonists, which couldn't have been better cast (Uma looks damn good here, too). The film will probably require a second screening, so the rating is only preliminary. (2013.02.07)

Very interesting sci-fi where the authors once again understood that content is much more important than form and great tricks. The content is really important here and it is a beautiful example of how we achieve something that does not even belong to us, but when we have it, we hold onto it at all costs and are capable of doing almost anything. However, it remains only almost here. The desire for something more is here in an interesting connection with human dreams. (2015.04.01)