eXistenZ

eXistenZ (1999)

The movie opens with a small group of gamers that have been invited to test out the newest game from legendary game creator Allegra Gellar. They all jack in with their built in game ports, but before the game starts someone tries to assassinate Gellar. She is scooped up (literally) by a low level PR guy named Ted and goes on the run. It seems that a group that believes the human race should live in the real world instead of some virtual one is out to kill her. They can’t trust the company or anyone else that they meet. The only thing Allegra can think to do is play the game. As they play the game it seems that they start to unravel what is happening in the real world. How is that possible? Watch the movie and see.

Where do I start with this one? The plot is confusing while at the same time fascinating. I had a hard time trying to keep up and understand the reality that the movie was set in. But when I sort of let that go and just went with what I was watching I had a great time. There are all kinds of crazy themes in this one. There is a disturbing fusion of technology and biology in this one. From the messed up game devices that are partly biological to the gun made of flesh and bone this one had some seriously screwed up images in it. But the fact that eXistenZ managed to get under my skin like this was fun. The movie also has an interesting bit where it sexualizes the technology and the eupohoria that users feel when the jack in. Oh and as hot as I think lead actress Jennifer Jason Leigh is there is a really messed up part with her neural interface…

I don’t think that I’ve ever used the word genius in one of my reviews that is until now. Without a doubt director David Cronenberg is a genius when it comes to writing and directing movies. His stuff is always unique and the way he tells a story is something unique to him. But that genius is a double edged sword. As a viewer I always go looking for his movies, though many of them don’t connect with me. Not saying that they aren’t good and that I don’t appreciate them. It is just the case that I don’t connect and enjoy all his movies. For me they are always interesting, but not always entertaining. I just wanted to mention that before I got to my final thoughts on the movie.

eXistenZ is one of his movies that I really did get into. The themes regarding technology and how Cronenberg brings some twisted sexualized themes to it was intriguing. I also loved how he plays with the concepts of reality, never letting the audience know if they are still watching the game or if any of what we saw was real. This is a movie that I know I’ll be thinking about for a long time and that is a good thing. So if you are a fan of David Cronenberg or just like movies with themes like this I recommend that you grab yourself a copy of eXistenZ. The DVD is available from Echo Bridge Home Entertainment and won’t cost you that much.

3 out of 4

reviewed by John Shatzer