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Product Description
DVD Special Features
- Feature length audio commentary by Producer James Cameron and Director Steve Soderbergh (sound Dolby 2.0)
- HBO behind the scenes special
- Solaris: Behind the Planet feature
- Script
- Animated menus
DVD Technical Information:
- Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 (16 x 9 Widescreen)
- Sound Quality: Dolby 5.1
- Subtitles: English for the hearing impaired
- Running time: 99 minutes
Product Description
DVD 20th Century Fox, Region 2, 2002 99 mins
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
20 of 24 people found the following review helpful
By Lixma
Format:DVD
While Solaris is inevitably labelled Sci-Fi its core themes are distinctly human. Loss, regret and the realization that memory tends to simplify events, people and places. While the original film allows the viewer to muse on the overall, Soderbergh's take focuses on the main protagonist's (Clooney) experience with the strange 'planet'. With only a standard 90 minutes to play with the director has done a good job of explaining the power Solaris wields without having to constantly remind us with new and more bizarre consequences (and special effects).
The visuals sway from the ethereal (Solaris), austere (Earth) and utilitarian (Space Station). On the commentary track, Soderbergh tells us he wanted Solaris to have a 'synaptic' quality to it and the effect is beautiful. Cliff Martinez's score, too, will follow you around for months.
As for the cast, Clooney is excellent as ever. While his performance doesn't require histrionics he makes believable a shrink thrown into a situation where his vocational skills are rendered useless by minds becoming matter. Natascha McElhone is charged with an incredibly difficult role. Her character on Earth is confident, sexy, playful, remote and ultimately suicidal; on Solaris she has to play whatever Clooney's character has in mind...hard work, but admirably done. It's unfortunate that in one weak scene of un-necessary exposition the focus is on McElhone but it's a fault of the screen-writer, not her. Jeremy Davies' Snow is perhaps the character that deserved more attention than was given. Considering his unique 'situation' it would have been worth an extra half hour to explore it. Viola Davis is okay but ultimately pointless. The removal of her character wouldn't have affected the film in anyway and her presence really only fills an authority vacuum on the station.
It's good to see adult themes being explored in the Sci-Fi genre and being embraced by Hollywood heavyweights....and not a LaZer BeAm in sight. Obviously this film won't appeal to the 'action' based wing of Sci-Fi fans and the polarity of opinions shown here is evidence of this. But as a serious slice of "what if", Solaris rewards attention and multiple viewings.
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By A. Hobbs
Format:DVD
Crack open a bottle of wine, dim the lights, turn up the sound, and prepare to be transported to a place of beautiful imagery. The soundtrack is soooo relaxing.
In this fast paced world that we live in, i can see why so many people find this mind-numbingly boring. However, i love it.
A modern masterpiece, in a similar vein to 'The thin red line' (another slow burner with a beautiful score). Did i mention the amazing soundtrack?
In this fast paced world that we live in, i can see why so many people find this mind-numbingly boring. However, i love it.
A modern masterpiece, in a similar vein to 'The thin red line' (another slow burner with a beautiful score). Did i mention the amazing soundtrack?
10 of 12 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:DVD
I've seen the original, read the book, and now I come to this. I don't like to think of it as a remake though; it's a very different film from its predecessor, instead I like to think of it as simply an alternate version. People have criticised it for the fact (or at least it would seem for the fact) that it's not identical to the original in every way shape and form except for the actors. But I wouldn't want it to be the same! It's an intriguing shift of focus towards the close relationship between Chris and his wife, and the gradual realizations that spring up through the film. The film boasts some beautiful visuals, and an incredible score from acclaimed composer Cliff Martinez that defies sci-fi tradition by offering a far more ambient soundtrack than the cash-in-action films Hollywood pumps out so merrily. If you're looking for a Star Wars clone or anything other than a seductive and thought provoking experience then look elsewhere. If you're looking for something different, and want a film that's food for thought then look no further, it's here. If you watch this, find you enjoy it, and have not seen the original then I suggest you check that out as well - it's a masterpiece, and is well worth a watch.
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3.3 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not so good
Having read a number of very positive reviews i was looking forward to seeing this. Unfortunately it did not live up to these reviews and i would not be interested in ever seeing... Read more
Published 10 days ago by Darktan
4.0 out of 5 stars
SOLARIS LITE
Steven Soderbergh's remake of Solaris.
Psychologist Chris Kelvin is dispatched to space station Prometheus for a spot of troubleshooting. Read more
Psychologist Chris Kelvin is dispatched to space station Prometheus for a spot of troubleshooting. Read more
Published 1 month ago by John Griffin
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful
This amazing film shows Clooney so un-Clooney. He's really up to serious acting, splendidly incorporating a scientist grieving the loss of his beloved and meeting her again through... Read more
Published 1 month ago by C. Springer
5.0 out of 5 stars
Genius
This film has been on the pile for years and years. I finally sat down to watch it as I have been watching Californication with one of the same actresses. Read more
Published 1 month ago by blackbour
4.0 out of 5 stars
More relationships than spaceships
I admit like a lot of the negative reviews, this is an incredibly slow film and that it can be pretentious. I genuinely think that is the way that this film is supposed to be. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Stephen M
1.0 out of 5 stars
Snoozefest
If you're an insomniac I'd give it 5 stars - will put you out in a jiffy. If however you're hoping to watch a decent film then avoid. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Fossil
1.0 out of 5 stars
Slow torture...!!
One of the most boring movies I have ever had to bail out of. Yes, I have tried to watch this monstrosity three times and each time the tedium weighs heavier and heavier upon me. Read more
Published 6 months ago by SeaWasp
1.0 out of 5 stars
Terrible
The best thing about this film is the ending which makes it slightly interesting. The ending aside, the film is probably the worst I have seen in years. Read more
Published 7 months ago by BC
1.0 out of 5 stars
Very slow, not intelligent at all
How fascinating to read the wide range of reviews. I can't quite understand what is going on. The George Clooney fanclub? Read more
Published 9 months ago by Exiled warrior
1.0 out of 5 stars
Emporer's new clothes.
I watched this film last night and thought it had robbed me of 94 minutes of my life. Having looked at the reviews it was clear that it was going to be a "Marmite" film. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Paul Kitson
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