- Actors: Loren Dean, Jude Law, Uma Thurman, Ernest Borgnine, Alan Arkin
- Directors: Andrew Niccol
- Producers: Danny DeVito, Michael Shamberg, Stacey Sher
- Format: Subtitled, PAL
- Language English, Italian, Spanish, Hungarian
- Subtitles: Bulgarian, Danish, English, Finnish, Hindi, Hungarian, Italian, Norwegian, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish
- Region: Region 2 (This DVD may not be viewable outside Europe. Read more about DVD formats.)
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9 - 2.40:1
- Number of discs: 1
- Classification: 15
- Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
- DVD Release Date: 3 Mar 2008
- Run Time: 102 minutes
- Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (77 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B0011FTQ8A
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 21,187 in Film & TV (See Top 100 in Film & TV)
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Reviews
Amazon.co.uk Review
Confidently conceived and brilliantly executed, Gattaca had a somewhat low profile release in 1997, but audiences and critics hailed the film's originality. It's since been recognised as one of the most intelligent science fiction films of the 1990s. Writer-director Andrew Niccol, the talented New Zealander who also wrote the acclaimed Jim Carrey vehicle The Truman Show, depicts a near-future society in which one's personal and professional destiny is determined by one's genes. In this society, "Valids" (genetically engineered) qualify for positions at prestigious corporations, such as Gattaca, which grooms its most qualified employees for space exploration. "In-Valids" (naturally born), such as the film's protagonist, Vincent (Ethan Hawke), are deemed genetically flawed and subsequently fated to low-level occupations in a genetically caste society. With the help of a disabled "Valid" (Jude Law), Vincent subverts his society's social and biological barriers to pursue his dream of space travel; any random mistake--and an ongoing murder investigation at Gattaca--could reveal his plot. Part thriller, part futuristic drama and cautionary tale, Gattaca establishes its social structure so convincingly that the entire scenario is chillingly believable. With Uma Thurman as the woman who loves Vincent and identifies with his struggle, Gattaca is both stylish and smart, while Jude Law's performance lends the film a note of tragic and heartfelt humanity.--Jeff Shannon
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
23 of 23 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Genetic defectives have been a staple of science fiction ever since the discovery of DNA. But until 'Gattaca', the powerful symbolism of future genetics for present day racism never made it onto the silver screen.
This is raised to an inspired level by writer/director Andrew Niccol's decision to film it as if all the flashbacks had taken place in our own past. In written SF, this could only have been achieved by a complicated alternate reality setting. But, in cinema, Niccol's careful choice of fifties clothing styles, haircuts, and black-and-white family snap-shots powerfully evokes a past for the protagonist, Vincent (Ethan Hawke), which mirrors our own past.
I had expected this film to be bleak and oppressive. The premise, and the first half-hour, create an air-tight world where Vincent is condemned to second-class servitude because his conception was natural rather than genetically screened.
But Niccol skilfully switches the 1984 style bleakness into an ultra-tech murder-thriller, with the murder of the mission-director, moments (in film time) after we learn of the meticulous plan by which Vincent will pass as genetically perfect and achieve his dream of space-travel.
Suspense builds from this point on. On the first time of watching I was convinced Vincent would be caught, right up to the final moment.
The core of this film is in Vincent's words: "There is no gene for fate", although the official tag-line was "There is no gene for the human spirit". It becomes an enormously positive affirmation that sheer guts and determination will take anyone to reach their dream.
This is an excellent film, but it will not please everyone. It is essentially a short-story created in perfect detail for cinema. SF fans will appreciate the purity of the vision. But the film lacks the epic scope which most people associate with modern science-fiction cinema. And anyone wanting a special-effects laden space-romp should look elsewhere.
But, in its own scale and its own terms, Gattaca is virtually flawless.
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
"Gattaca" is one of the better science-fiction films that I have seen in recent years. It looks stylish ,it is filmed superbly and it is well acted. It is an atmospheric and thoughtful futuristic film ,not of the high octane, pumping soundtrack variety . The premise of the film is interesting and also quite credible , namely that in the future genetically engineered human beings will be given preferential treatment in the job market and "normal" humans will be allocated menial occupations. As in the films "1984" and "Brazil" ,for example , "Gattaca" is about one man's resistance to an oppressive , stratified social system which interferes intolerably with personal liberty. It is a cautionary tale and perhaps also a parable about life in today's transnational organisations. The Gattaca Corporation , with its robotic, dehumanised compulsive achievers lined up in front of their PC's like well groomed battery chickens, mirrors the typical modern day open plan corporate office. "There is no gene for the human spirit" indeed.
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Blu-ray
Just a quick note - 5 stars for the film and the image and sound quality on this intriguing sci-fi identity theft film.
It is not Region A locked as stated in the title - this is yet another in a long list of technical mistakes made by Amaazon on their blu-ray product pages.
The film is distributed by Sony Pictures and is Region A,B,C compatible - it plays fine on my stand alone blu-ray and PS3.
It is not Region A locked as stated in the title - this is yet another in a long list of technical mistakes made by Amaazon on their blu-ray product pages.
The film is distributed by Sony Pictures and is Region A,B,C compatible - it plays fine on my stand alone blu-ray and PS3.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Classic Science Fiction
This review is about the Blu-ray release.
There are lots of science fiction movies that I watch repeatedly and almost none of them feature Jude Law. Read more
There are lots of science fiction movies that I watch repeatedly and almost none of them feature Jude Law. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Vorlich
Underrated
I totally agree with the Amazon reviewer; this film is well executed and it came out in the 90s barely noticed. Read more
Published 7 months ago by S. A. Funnell
Gattaca DVD
This was something totally different to my usual taste in films but decided to view this and thoroughly enjoyed it.
Published 11 months ago by Mrs. P. Clements
The Most Underrated Classic
`Gattaca' bombed at the box-office. Why is unclear. So did `The Shawshank Redemption'. It's a harsh world. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Seatinthestalls
sci-fi at its best.
yes there are flaws in this film, but given the budget the result is astonishing. Jude Law steals the show but Loren Dean gives his best performance to date and support from Gore... Read more
Published 15 months ago by JrF
Surprisingly good!
I bought this film because my biology teacher reccomended it because she thought it would help with exams... Read more
Published 16 months ago by Thom
There is no gene for the human spirit
I must have watched this movie at least 10 to 11 times - I find it that deeply moving. Its not sci-fi, c'mon, its about human desire and emotion and the passion to want to do... Read more
Published 17 months ago by Hud
Still a truly great movie
Some love it, some hate it. I find that those who are bored by it expect a meaningless sci-fi romp with no substance. Well, this isn't for them. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Lee Harris
Barely adequate, but brings up some interesting ideas
They have no heart therapy? We do, now, but in the future they don't?
That's a plot hole so big you could drive the QE2 through it, sideways. Read more
That's a plot hole so big you could drive the QE2 through it, sideways. Read more
Published on 13 May 2010 by R. Court
Love Sci-Fi, a must for the collection!!
Haven't watched the DVD yet but if you're a sci-fi buff then its a must for the collection.
Published on 11 May 2010 by Suzie Sue
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