upstill@ucbvax.UUCP (10/09/83)
pico-review: Altered States with taste.
comments and caveats: The ending is weak. The plot is not well-resolved.
On the other hand, I found many scenes quite touching and at least one to be
riveting. Natalie Wood is not all that bad, and Christopher Walken and
Louise Fletcher comport themselves admirably. Trumbull's direction is
surprisingly strong. There is much subtle stuff that goes by just at the
threshold of attention, and this applies equally well to the special effects
which are, predictably, superb (except for the ending). Technically, the
movie is stunning, particularly the 70mm photography and the sound-effects.
There are many clever ideas for bringing across the enhanced experiences.
Music is fair. There are relatively few nurdly gaffes (my favorite is the
perception signal apparently requiring a 6"-wide gold holographic tape to
record but which can go out over a phone line in real time), and several
satisfyingly realistic touches.
In sum: I'm baffled at the hostile reception this film has received; it
is a fresh new entry in an old genre: the trip movie. I give it a solid
***, and I think anybody would be satisfied if they paid $3 or less (I saw
it for $5 and will return). Needless to say, 70mm and Dolby is a must, and
recommended is to see it in an altered state, whatever that means.
Steve Upstill