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Knowing - A Great Science Fiction Film

I saw "Knowing" last night and was profoundly moved by it. Alex Proyas, the director (Dark City, The Crow, I-Robot) has a stellar visual flair and a clear idea of what makes good science fiction. I love all his films.

What saddens me is that Knowing has been almost universally hated by critics, except for Roger Ebert, who gives it full marks, stating that "Knowing is among the best science-fiction films I've seen -- frightening, suspenseful, intelligent and, when it needs to be, rather awesome." Go here to read Eberts review.

I fully agree with him. This is science fiction at it's best, among the best of the decade (Minority Report, AI, I-Robot, T3), and I recommend anyone who has a penchant for grand philosophical questions sees this film.

But other critics rarely give Proyas any slack. Criticisms of I-Robot (that it wasn't true to Asimov's stories) don't wash with me. I think Proyas and his screenwriters distilled Asimov's Robot Laws perfectly, and dealt with the themes and questions that the great writer sought to question. Was it Will Smith that turned people off, just in the same way that Nicolas Cage might put people off seeing Knowing?

I hope people can see beyond that. I understand why big names get cast in these films. When there's big investment in a special effects movie, the ROI has to be there for the studio. If that means a big name, so be it, at least I get a grand vision for my money. The IDEAS transcend any casting quibbles.

I heard a couple talking to each other as we left the cinema last night. She said "Well, that was odd." and he said "Well, it was your idea to see it." I guess the film may not be for everyone. I can imagine that the ending might turn people off in it's execution, but it IS original, and it DOES deal with big concepts, and it doesn't cheat. I applaud it.

The images and ideas of Knowing will haunt me for a long time to come. In particular, a sequence in the film involving an aeroplane, which all takes place in one dizzying, terrifying shot. It is a truly breathtaking bit of cinema. I can't wait for the Blu-Ray.

Comments

  1. I love this sort of stuff - definately going on my 'to watch' list.

    Critics? What do they know?

    ReplyDelete

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