Review: eXistenZ (1999)
Frankie Paiva
rated R
97 minutes
starring Jennifer Jason Leigh, Jude Law, Willem DaFoe, and Ian Holm
directed by David Cronenberg
A Video Review by Frankie Paiva
Freakish, out there science fiction films seem to be a trend. While some of
these movies are good (The Matrix), there are also ones that have their
downsides (The Thirteen Floor). Released around the same time, eXistenZ (that's
pronounced X-SEH-STENZ) is the most unique of all. Alternate universes have
never been more interesting. The movie does such a good job of blending reality
with a game that the line is almost impossible to trace. Get ready for a wild
ride, worthy of several multiple viewings.
Allegra Gellar (Leigh whose wardrobe is less then spectacular) is the world's
greatest game designer. During a test for her new game eXistenZ, something does
horribly wrong, an assassin shoots her and her game pod. She flees with
security guard Ted Pikul (Law) and the two go into hiding. Ted hasn't had the
operation for a bioport, a small hole in your back that you fit the game pod's
chord into. They need to get him one so that Allegra can play eXistenZ with
him, and make sure the only copy of her precious creation wasn't damaged by the
aforementioned assassin. They are transported into the game with new
identities, constantly going in and out of reality and the imaginary. In the
game, they begin working at a game pod manufacturing plant, Ted chops up
various parts of lizards for the pods, and Allegra is a scientist who assembles
them. This is just the beginning of a wild chase through multiple realities,
true identities, and one horrific game called eXistenZ.
This movie really packs a punch. Everything in the movie looks great (except
for Jennifer's horrific hair) and multiple dimension travel is made somewhat
believable. The performances are above what is expected for a science fiction
film. Jude Law is an excellent actor who is good in this movie despite it's
strange premise. He's really showing quite an acting range. Poor Jennifer Jason
Leigh, she can't do much in this movie, and her performance is the main letdown
of the film. Willem DaFoe and Sarah Polley also make impressions in small
roles. The sexual innuendo is interesting too. The gaming pods can't quite be
described in words, think of them as squirming pink things that look like
tumors. Also notice how the umbilical like chords reach into the backs of the
game players. This has to be one of the weirdest films to come along in a while
and it's limited theatrical release makes it a must rent video. I urge you to
rent this great film, that asks the question...
Are we still in the game?
A
Frankie Paiva
Swp...@aol.com
http://www.homestead.com/cinemparadise/mainpage.html