Plot: What’s it about?
Vincent Freeman (Ethan Hawke) has always dreamed of going into space, even back when he was a young child. But the odds are very much against that, as Vincent is prone to heart problems, genetic flaws, and perhaps even a premature death. His brother Anton however is not, since he was engineered to avoid those problems, therefore making his life’s path an easier one, while Vincent struggles to even find honest work. The world has become discriminant against “natural” citizens and chooses to give the breaks to those created with flawless genetics, even if they’re not the best people for the tasks. But he has refused to give up and when he turns to underground sources, he discovers a remote chance exists. He can assume the identity of Jerome (Jude Law), a genetic marvel who was crippled in an accident, but no one is aware of this and he has remained in hiding. The process will be harsh, extreme, and constant, but if Vincent wishes to live his dream, this is the sole path to take…
This film was never given much hype or exposure, which is a true shame, as it is a beautiful, very memorable motion picture. Gattaca has a story that makes you think, visuals that you could get lost in, performances that keep you interested, and direction that is so tight, not a single second is wasted on screen. This all combines to create a compelling & poetic movie that resonates long after the credits have rolled, a rare thing in modern cinema. The pace remains slow, but never drags in the least and this allows the details to unfold in a proper manner, no rush is applied at any point and that ensures the emotional impact is intact. But as interesting as the story is, you can sometimes just drift off into the visuals, which reinforces how strenuous it is for our main character, who could lose it all, should his mind wander too much. It is hard to believe this was made for as little money as it was too, since it looks and feels like a big budget picture. If you’re looking for a powerful, well produced movie that will do more than entertain you for ninety minutes, give Gattaca a spin and of course, this Superbit edition is the best venue to do so with.
I’ve enjoyed several of Ethan Hawke’s turns, but without a shadow of a doubt, this stands as his finest performance. I admit that I was skeptical the first time I viewed Gattaca, but Hawke is tremendous and nails this role in all respects. Yes, he has some incredible material to work from, but I think a lot of the role’s success is also to do his approach. He never overplays the part and while he could do so at times, he holds back and that enhances the character tenfold, I think. The intense nature of the role makes it tempting to see him go over the top, but his natural, restrained vision remains firm, just as it should. Other films with Hawke include Snow Falling on Cedars, Alive, Reality Bites, Mystery Date, White Fang, and Before Sunrise. The cast also includes Jude Law (Immortality, Enemy at the Gates), Uma Thurman (Beautiful Girls, The Avengers), and Xander Berkeley (Shanghai Noon, A Few Good Men).
Video: How does it look?
Gattaca is presented in a 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer. While the previous edition wasn’t bad at all, this new Superbit version leaves it in the dust, no doubt about it. I noticed the brighter, smoother colors right from the start and that is a real issue in this film, since it places a lot of visual importance on the hues. You’ll also be able to see more refinement in the small details, of which this film has numerous ones. The contrast is also improved, but not to the same extensive levels and while grain is more evident due to the higher resolution, it never becomes much of an issue, if you ask me. As per usual, Superbit offers the finest visual presentation you’ll see and if that’s what matters to you, then this is a must own release.
Audio: How does it sound?
I also found the new DTS track to offer a better performance, though mostly in small ways, such as a richer musical score and subtle audio touches. But Gattaca is not the kind of movie to showcase your home theater with and as such, don’t expect a reference level experience. Both tracks cover all the bases and then some, with a well above average presence and a nice overall atmosphere of audio. The surrounds won’t be on full alert at all times here, but they respond when needed and should please fans. This disc also includes subtitles in English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, Korean, and Thai.
Supplements: What are the extras?
This disc contains no bonus materials.
