Review of Primer (2004) by Sums I — 10 Jan 2011

Mind-numbingly complex, intriguing, confusing...I loved it! If you're interested in sci-fi that makes you think, question, even search for answers after the movie, then you'll find a lot to appreciate in Primer.

Like many who watched this film, when it was over I probably only understood about 60% of what really happened. You get the main story elements and concepts, but as the story folds back on itself it gets hard to track which iteration of the main characters are actually on-screen at any given time.

I'm a huge fan of the themes explored in this movie: scientific discovery, friendships, morality, time travel, paradoxes, etc. Many great scientific discoveries were stumbled upon not simply invented out of thin air, and we see the process unfold in a natural way. We also see impatience and recklessness in a situation of great potential danger... but that too seems to be a trait in "discovery".

Yes, I would've liked to see a little more explanation of what was going on from within the movie. I think it would've added to the intrigue & interest without taking away from the complexity at all. But the beauty of a movie like this is that as an independent film it ends up being pretty much what the director wants from it... and that's exciting.

One thing is for sure, if you enjoy the movie at all you will be searching the interwebs for more info. Then once you figure out more details it's almost guaranteed you're going to watch it again to see what else you can learn. Incredible movie. Thanks Shane!