In gattaca only the strong succeed and the strong are genetically pre-selected at birth. But when one man dares to defy the system he gets caught in a web of lies corruption and murder. A smart stylish thriller laced with high-wire suspense. Studio: Sony Pictures Home Ent Release Date: 03/09/1998 Starring: Ethan Hawke Alan Arkin Run time: 106 minutes Rating: Pg13 Director: Andrew Niccol
Confidently conceived and brilliantly executed, Gattaca had a somewhat low profile release in 1997, but audiences and critics hailed the film's originality. It's since been recognized as one of the most intelligent science fiction films of the 1990s. Writer-director Andrew Niccol, the talented New Zealander who also wrote the acclaimed Jim Carrey vehicle The Truman Show, depicts a near-future society in which one's personal and professional destiny is determined by one's genes. In this society, "Valids" (genetically engineered) qualify for positions at prestigious corporations, such as Gattaca, which grooms its most qualified employees for space exploration. "In-Valids" (naturally born), such as the film's protagonist, Vincent (Ethan Hawke), are deemed genetically flawed and subsequently fated to low-level occupations in a genetically caste society. With the help of a disabled "Valid" (Jude Law), Vincent subverts his society's social and biological barriers to pursue his dream of space travel; any random mistake--and an ongoing murder investigation at Gattaca--could reveal his plot. Part thriller, part futuristic drama and cautionary tale, Gattaca establishes its social structure so convincingly that the entire scenario is chillingly believable. With Uma Thurman as the woman who loves Vincent and identifies with his struggle, Gattaca is both stylish and smart, while Jude Law's performance lends the film a note of tragic and heartfelt humanity. --Jeff Shannon
Confidently conceived and brilliantly executed, Gattaca had a somewhat low profile release in 1997, but audiences and critics hailed the film's originality. It's since been recognized as one of the most intelligent science fiction films of the 1990s. Writer-director Andrew Niccol, the talented New Zealander who also wrote the acclaimed Jim Carrey vehicle The Truman Show, depicts a near-future society in which one's personal and professional destiny is determined by one's genes. In this society, "Valids" (genetically engineered) qualify for positions at prestigious corporations, such as Gattaca, which grooms its most qualified employees for space exploration. "In-Valids" (naturally born), such as the film's protagonist, Vincent (Ethan Hawke), are deemed genetically flawed and subsequently fated to low-level occupations in a genetically caste society. With the help of a disabled "Valid" (Jude Law), Vincent subverts his society's social and biological barriers to pursue his dream of space travel; any random mistake--and an ongoing murder investigation at Gattaca--could reveal his plot. Part thriller, part futuristic drama and cautionary tale, Gattaca establishes its social structure so convincingly that the entire scenario is chillingly believable. With Uma Thurman as the woman who loves Vincent and identifies with his struggle, Gattaca is both stylish and smart, while Jude Law's performance lends the film a note of tragic and heartfelt humanity. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Rating:
Summary: Gattaca
Comment: This is a great movie. I have seen it several times. I use it when I teach my genetics unit and the students really like it, because of its modern ators/actresses and its twisting plot.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Great, but Tainted by Cheesy Dialogue in Final Reel
Comment: This movie is taut, gripping, intriguing, wonderful. It makes its point in such an understated way, which some take to be boring, but I found riveting. A lot of movies seem to have so little respect for the audience, just relentlessly clubbing us over the head with hackneyed symbolism and dialog that sounds like it came out of Yoda to make sure we get the message. This movie avoids that, and it helped really involve me in the story without all of the contrivances.

Until the end.

I liked the ending, don't get me wrong, but the writers seem to have cracked open a few fortune cookies to supply unbelievably cheesy lines. here are a few:

"Maybe I'm not leaving, maybe I'm going home."

"I only gave you my body. You gave me your DREAM!"

"You wanna know how I did it? I never saved any for the trip back!"

These and a couple others caused too much wincing for the movie to really finish convincingly. And the sad thing is, the movie would have made its points just as convincingly, much more so in fact, if these lines had simply been omitted. I guess they just felt obligated to tack on some melodramatic pap at the end, lest any movigoer leave saying "What was the point of THAT!?"

Still, there's so little sci fi at the movies nowadays (plenty of space opera, though) that I am really appreciative of a scifi film of this quality.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Great Movie
Comment: This is a great movie. The plot is very deep. I would highly recommend this movie to anyone.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Special Edition improves on an excellent production
Comment: Gattaca is a superb motion picture, less science-fiction or political commentary than a compelling invitation to ponder old social metaphors in new ways.

On the surface, Gattaca is visually stunning, emotionally evocative, and yet subtle -- a mix of whodunit and drama that asks viewers to think about a range of current social issues, such as the social obsession with physical perfection; the allure that some people find in a super-race; injustices in the health-insurance industry; and efforts by privileged elites to withdraw freedoms and opportunities from minorities.

Beneath the surface, the film prompts viewers to ask more basic questions:

In what ways might I be an outcast?

What is the meaning of true brotherhood?

How might family members crush sons and siblings beneath lowered expectations?

What masks or facades do I wear, and what unhealthy social forces compel me to wear them?

The original DVD release of Gattaca featured only the movie and some deleted scenes. The Special Edition is greatly improved, featuring both a fond retrospective by cast and crew, and a nifty little primer on genetics narrated by Gore Vidal. The only thing that's missing: A director's commentary.

Since I already own the original DVD, I'm undecided whether to buy the Special Edition or just rent it when I wish to view the retrospective again. The inclusion of a director's commentary would have cinched the decision. I may instead wait to buy a Blu-Ray player and then make Gattaca -- with its stunning cinematography and production design -- a first-rate choice for my first Blu-Ray DVD.

People who have not already bought the original can buy the Special Edition DVD with confidence, knowing they have bought a first-rate movie with very good special features.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Beautifully shot
Comment: This movie is really really good-looking. It is essentially a murder mystery wrapped in science-fiction coating. Ethan Hawke plays an over-ambitious man who dreams of becoming an astronaut. Jude Law extracts pity as a crippled man confined to a wheelchair. The movie's message is that a child's physical or biological traits at birth, or even till age 10, cannot accurately predict how he/she would do in later life.

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