Review of The Thirteenth Floor (1999) by Robert C — 24 Jul 2011

If you liked "Blade Runner," Vanilla Sky," and/or "Dark City," you'll almost surely enjoy this one, as it plays with the very same themes: "How can I be sure I am real?" "How do I know the reality around me is real?" "Doesn't the puppet-master understand how it feels to be the puppet?".

A 1998 L.A. software corporation perfectly simulates 1937 L.A., within which 'real' people live 'real' lives. The developers jack into the sim, leading to a murder mystery in 1998. The 1937 set pieces and scenes are well done, run through a very-light sepia filter to help the viewer distinguish them from the 1998 scenes that are slightly tinged with noir atmospherics.

Yes, this is absolutely science fiction - because 2024 L.A. is a beautiful coastal paradise and the L.A. Times is still for sale - and in ink no less. From a 1964 novel "Simulacron-3," cutting edge in its toying with virtual reality. Previously done up as the (unavailable) 1973 German TV mini-series "World On A Wire.".

The viewer's well-led through the mystery (fully revealed by end of Act II, minute 70 or so), then spends Act III relishing in the unraveling of the "Twilight Zone"-styled plotline twists - twists that you might well guess even just by reading this.

Vincent D'Onofrio (aka Det. Goran, "Law and Order: Criminal Intent") surprises here, as both 1998 computer techie-nerd and 1937 speakeasy martini-shaker. All the cast does good work.

I'm always up for high-quality sci-fi (not the high-volume production pulp), so I was surprised in not having heard of this one before, until realizing it issued at the same time as "The Matrix.".

RECOMMENDATION: For sci-fi aficionados, this is very well spent viewing time.