Review of A Scanner Darkly (2006) by Alastair M — 04 Aug 2010
What looks like an edgy sci-fi suspense thriller is really a stoner comedy. Albeit these characters are on more than just pot, the same effect is created. Keanu Reeves, Robert Downey Jr., and Woody Harrelson really take the stage for the first 3/4's of the movie.
And their stoner threesome is really funny. It's hard ot take this movie seriously until the very end. Some of their antics reminded me of Pineapple Express. Still, there's that last 1/4th left.
The serious part. All conspiracy revelaed type drama. Sure, there's some big ulterior motive behind this movie, but really the fun is in watching those 3 men grow increasingly paranoid. The burn at the end is just for those fans of sci-fi stingers.
Still, the animation is a brilliant way to tackle a Philip K. Dick story and it's got all the trappings so it's semi-true to its nature. I wouldn't recommend this one unless you have a friday off and your by yourself.
It's not really that smart until the end. Truth be told this movie is right up there next to The Southland Tales. Bizarre, drug-induced, and takes itself perhaps a little too seriously plot-wise when all the characters are oddball/corny.
This review of A Scanner Darkly (2006) was written by Alastair M on 04 Aug 2010.
A Scanner Darkly has generally received positive reviews.
Was this review helpful?
