Review of A Scanner Darkly (2006) by Kyle W — 07 May 2012
I'm still really not sure what to think of 'A Scanner Darkly'. Visually the movie is a five star film. You've not seen anything like this before. Unlike a lot of heavily stylized films (300 and Renaissance) you don't get the feeling that its just simply ripping off of what 'Sin City' did. "Darkly" has its own, unique visual style.
The casting is dead on. Keanu Reeves, Robert Downey Jr., Woody Harrelson, and Winona Ryder star. What more could you want?
Where 'A Scanner Darkly' fails is in the plot development point. 'Darkly' is an incredibly deep film about a drug known as Substance D, which causes people to have a weird split personality. Quite frankly the plot is just out there. Keanu Reeves plays a cop named Fred (in "Darkly" the cops don't go by real names, instead simple code names), who is going after a drug dealer named Bob. Only Fred IS Bob. And Bob IS Fred. (the split personality thing) It's one of those things that makes since... but at the same time, leaves you wondering what the hell is going on.
'A Scanner Darkly' is one of those films that is best described as a solid rental. Rent it for $3.99 and you'll get your moneys worth. Any more than that and you'll be wishing for a refund. Because while the film sure LOOKS good... it just isn't.
This review of A Scanner Darkly (2006) was written by Kyle W on 07 May 2012.
A Scanner Darkly has generally received positive reviews.
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