But with some bad taste faults. Yes, it's distracting to have someone read the text that is shown on screen. You start to read, then you get distracted by the narrator. Then you stop reading only to find out that this text now is not narrated. And Alex Noffe's storyline is 1. underwritten, 2. consequently sometimes awkward, 3. not very well acted by Annabel Schofield in the end sequence.
These are however not huge faults. The special effects in this film (excluding again the end sequence) are good, and, yes, very reminiscent of 2001: A Space Odyssey. The plot does for once NOT stretch the limits of credulity, although I kept wondering throughout the film whether the ridiculous coincidence or superhero moment is just around the corner. I figure that the film can be perceived as flat, but it doesn't try to be engrossing, but reflective, sort of Zen, and I would say that it does create a nice reflective mood, where the subject of reflection is perfection: Perfection through science or through nature, perfected human beings and their imperfections. Not at all pretentious, perhaps a little commonplace, but specific enough in substance to carry this type of film, if damaged some by the presentation of the Alex Noffe storyline.
I saw it together with Forbidden Planet. I imagine it can also be seen together with ZARDOZ and profit from it. Those are far better films of course, but I rather see an original effort like this than a remake of Solaris, say.
These are however not huge faults. The special effects in this film (excluding again the end sequence) are good, and, yes, very reminiscent of 2001: A Space Odyssey. The plot does for once NOT stretch the limits of credulity, although I kept wondering throughout the film whether the ridiculous coincidence or superhero moment is just around the corner. I figure that the film can be perceived as flat, but it doesn't try to be engrossing, but reflective, sort of Zen, and I would say that it does create a nice reflective mood, where the subject of reflection is perfection: Perfection through science or through nature, perfected human beings and their imperfections. Not at all pretentious, perhaps a little commonplace, but specific enough in substance to carry this type of film, if damaged some by the presentation of the Alex Noffe storyline.
I saw it together with Forbidden Planet. I imagine it can also be seen together with ZARDOZ and profit from it. Those are far better films of course, but I rather see an original effort like this than a remake of Solaris, say.