Review of eXistenZ (1999) by Grant P — 07 Mar 2008

Well, this was a surprise. I completely expected to be hit with an overpowering sense of Videodrome worship. eXistenZ shares similar aspects to Cronenberg's 1981 film (certainly the programming aspects and gun imagery), but I think that this is more of a full-fledged expansion of ideas rather than an update. I certainly wouldn't disagree with that either as television was a target in the 80s and video games are here, in a turn-of-the-century film.

It took a number of films to realize, but Cronenberg really loves to instill his opening sequences with a sense of urgency and intrigue. "This is why we're here." I never feel stuck in a Cronenberg film; I'm always moving forward. It's a refreshing feeling, probably why I continue to watch.

EXistenZ is bloated with sexual references, often amusing but appropriate. However, they certainly aren't what the film's about: reality and fantasy, free will and predestination. It does becomes a little too twisted in the end like an overblown drama. It still makes you think positively, though.

Furthermore, eXistenZ reinforces my opinions of cyberpunk. The genre is just an inspiring visual surge of ideas. Progressive? Yes.