Virtuosity
Here Is What You Need To Know:
Virtuosity is an underrated and somewhat forgotten film. It is rarely shown on television as it seems to have been largely just forgotten. That is a shame as, while the film is not a masterpiece of cinema, the concepts of the film are thought-provoking especially by 1995 standards.
Virtuosity deals with the notion of having a constructed virtual character, in this case SID 6.7, downloaded into a powerful android body. That in and of itself sounds much like something that will happening in Japan in the next ten years, but in the case of SID 6.7, its a bad idea as SID 6.7's “personality” is a composite of over 180 serial killing madmen.
Russell Crowe, back before intelligent people learned to fear and loathe him, appropriately plays SID 6.7 and does a very good job. How much of this is actually acting is hard to determine in retrospect. Denzel Washington, plays Lt. Barnes, who is out to stop the most dangerous “thing” walking and does his usual Denzel Washington stuff where he gets a paycheck for playing Denzel Washington, but it could have been worse as in 1995 they could have went with Van Damme, god help us, or the multi-faceted Sly Stallone.
Here is the problem with Virtuosity, it could have been so much better as it leaves you wanting more and wanting the concepts of the film explored more.
What Was Cool:
-The script by Eric Bernt has its mentally stimulating moments, but does get lost in the cloak of a “cop movie” a little too easily. A fuller, braver incorporation of science and science-fiction would have helped.
-Exploring the notions and problems attached to artificial intelligence are explored but could have been more fully developed.
What Was Stupid:
-It was definitely stupid to let the script degenerate into a cop and villain story so quickly.
-Denzel Washington has never been forced to develop into an actor, as he is always playing Denzel—oh yes I did.
The Film's Real Genius or Geniuses:
Director Brett Leonard does a great job and is underrated as a director.
Story B-
Use of Science B+ (The story puts some big ideas into the public mass consumption arena and that is good.)
Acting B
Portrayal of Women C
Visuals-VFX and SFX B
Visuals-Set Design/Props B+
Wardrobe/Costumes B
Style/Sex Appeal B (Parts of Virtuosity have a fresh look and feel.)
Enjoyability Grade B
Home Theater/HD Factor B
Gut Check (Level of Studio Executive Guts) B
Overall Innovation B
Overall Grade B
A Little Fact About Cherie:
I am looking forward to being a world traveler someday.
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