Review of Gattaca (1997) by Victor T — 21 Jul 2015

The 90´s were a decade that provided a handful of memorable sci-fi films: Paul Verhoeven´s "Total Recall", "Terminator 2: Judgement Day", the underappreciated "Dark City", the almost universally loved "The Matrix", Terry Gilliam´s "12 Monkeys" and the cult classic "Gattaca".

In a near future, most humans are born artificially as it is possible to create "perfect human beings", and the ones that are born the natural way are called "degenerates" and have almost no possibility to have a comfortable lifestyle.

Back in 1997 this film wasn't a commercial success and thus why is not that well known to the masses, but if you are into the sci-fi genre, cult films or consider yourself a lover of the seventh art then "Gattaca" is a film that you can't miss. "Gattaca" is a film that counts with a pretty impressive cast that deliver solid performances with Ethan Hawke and Jude Law being the standouts, the script is a little predictable but it is also smart, the world is so dense and detailed (even if we only see glimpses of it), the set designs are futuristic but they also have this retro touch to them, the themes work marvelously and will definitely touch you heartstrings (even if they are extremely heavy handed), Niccol´s direction is confident and minimalist, a well-made score, the pacing is appropriate as it gets more intense as the film progresses, the characters aren't very developed but they are still interesting, the low budget work at setting the world and providing some convincing special effects, an extremely powerful message, the protagonist is so sympathetic and relatable that you will immediately care about him, and it has one of the most beautiful ending I´ve ever seen on a scifi film (you will cheer and probably cry). My big issues with "Gattaca" are only two: The romance feels ham-fisted and the execution is so cliché and unbelievable, and the way the film approaches the exposition is too simplistic, maybe I would have preferred if they told the story in chronological order instead of using flashbacks.

"Gattaca" is an ambitious and thought provoking sci-fi film that is incredibly relevant in today´s society. It is a little predictable but the smart premise and the interesting characters make up for it. If you like sci-fi film, this is a film that you simply can't miss.