Review of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998) by Dustin G — 16 Nov 2011

I can see why a lot of stuffy critics panned the hell out of this film when it came out, but let's be honest here: this is a film for fans of Thompson's, fans of the book, and party animal teens who want a good show to get fucked up to.

For fans of Thompson's, this treats his material very respectfully and Depp does a great job with Duke/Thompson, a little animated, a little exaggerated perhaps, but fittingly so considering the context.

For fans of the book, this is for the most part a line for line adaptation that does a fine job representing it for the film world. Parts of the book are missing or even toned down, sure, but it still does a fine job conveying the absolute mayhem that is Fear and Loathing.

For fans of party films that are fun to get messed up to, well some of the drug taking in this film looks Iike a good time but a great deal of it could work just as well as an anti-drug film. I don't know about you but the horrors some of these drugs ignite do not look like things I would want to experience at all.

Gilliam does a great job visualizing the madness and a host of fantastic supporting roles and cameo's, including the good Dr. himself help keep the film out of B-movie territory.

In the end, history has spoken and this is a bonafide cult classic that's fan base and the gentle touch of Criterion has helped to keep it alive for many years to come. If the critics want to shit all over it, well, who needs 'em?