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From Amazon.co.uk
From yet another derivative science fiction novel by Michael Crichton comes Sphere, an equally derivative and flaccid movie, in which three top Hollywood stars struggle to squeeze tension and excitement out of material that doesn't match their talents. You're supposed to find awe and mystery in Crichton's story about a team of scientists and scholars who discover a 300-year-old alien spacecraft deep on the ocean floor, but mostly you feel that this is all much ado about nothing. The exploration team consists of a psychologist (Dustin Hoffman), mathematician (Samuel L Jackson), biochemist (Sharon Stone), and an astrophysicist (Live Schreiber), and when they enter the alien ship they discover a mysterious sphere inside. What they don't know is that the sphere has the power to manipulate their thoughts and perceptions, and before long the scientists' undersea habitat is a veritable haunted house of frightening visions and creeping paranoia. Who can be trusted? What is the sphere's purpose, and why is it on the ocean floor? Sphere makes some attempt to answer these questions, but the film is a mess, and it leads to one of the most anticlimactic endings of any science fiction film ever made. There are moments of high intensity and psychological suspense, and the stellar cast works hard to boost the talky screenplay. But it's clear that this was a hurried production (Hoffman and director Barry Levinson made Wag the Dog during an extended production delay), and as a result Sphere looks and feels like a film that wasn't quite ready for the cameras. Though it's by no means a waste of time, it's undeniably disappointing. --Jeff Shannon, Amazon.com
Product Description
DVD Warner, Bros., Region 2 PAL 1998 134 mins
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Although their have been mixed reviews, I can honestly say that this is a really enjoyable film. People seem to forget that this is hollywood, and the film isn't supposed to be broken down into little chunks and analysed.
If your looking for a well acted, and entertaining horror, then this is perfect. But lets get one thing straight - this film is a 12, and therefore there are no 'gorey' scenes. This more of a phycological horror, as you will find out when you watch the film.
In brief, the small crew of an underwater base are left without contact to the water surface due to bad weather. Upon discovering what appears to be an old spacecraft on the ocean floor, they look inside to find an odd sphere. The rest? Well that would be telling! The plot is great and the film keeps getting better as it goes an, and really proves you don't need lots of violence and gore to create a good horror film - such parts in this film being when a crew member gets killed by deadly jelly fish. I know, it sounds stupid, but when you watch it, it really does set your heart racing.
As for the script, I can't see any problems, although some reviewers felt the need to, again, analyze it and rip it apart as soon as something doesnt sound right. But its just right - not too many jokes, and taken seriously. Sharon Stone puts on a strong performance, and Dustin Hoffman follows.
I've given this 8/10, as its all round a good film. The star performer is Samuel L Jackson, who is brilliant. The special effects are nice as well, and if you DON'T take the ending too seriously, you'll see what a good film it is.
If your looking for a well acted, and entertaining horror, then this is perfect. But lets get one thing straight - this film is a 12, and therefore there are no 'gorey' scenes. This more of a phycological horror, as you will find out when you watch the film.
In brief, the small crew of an underwater base are left without contact to the water surface due to bad weather. Upon discovering what appears to be an old spacecraft on the ocean floor, they look inside to find an odd sphere. The rest? Well that would be telling! The plot is great and the film keeps getting better as it goes an, and really proves you don't need lots of violence and gore to create a good horror film - such parts in this film being when a crew member gets killed by deadly jelly fish. I know, it sounds stupid, but when you watch it, it really does set your heart racing.
As for the script, I can't see any problems, although some reviewers felt the need to, again, analyze it and rip it apart as soon as something doesnt sound right. But its just right - not too many jokes, and taken seriously. Sharon Stone puts on a strong performance, and Dustin Hoffman follows.
I've given this 8/10, as its all round a good film. The star performer is Samuel L Jackson, who is brilliant. The special effects are nice as well, and if you DON'T take the ending too seriously, you'll see what a good film it is.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By John Joyce
Format:DVD
As an author who's penned a number of childrens' books around submarines, and a great fan of Micheal Crichton, I rushed to see this film when it first came out and was not disappointed.
For once, the filmakers have stuck pretty much to Crichton's novel (perhaps at the expense of having to cram in too many detailed conversations explaining different aspects of the plot?)which does give the film a momentum that carries it through to the climax.
The performances from the three principal actors are excellent, particularly as their attitudes change in the cramped conditions of the underwater habitat - from indifference, through antagonism, to paranoia and finally to the realisation that they need each other to survive.
The identify of the "alien" and its chilling computer message "I WILL KILL YOU ALL" is a very clever plot twist and the special effects are excellent.
The last few minutes of the movie and the final scene are about the best in the film.
One of the best film adaptations of a Crichton book that I've seen and well worth a visit.
For once, the filmakers have stuck pretty much to Crichton's novel (perhaps at the expense of having to cram in too many detailed conversations explaining different aspects of the plot?)which does give the film a momentum that carries it through to the climax.
The performances from the three principal actors are excellent, particularly as their attitudes change in the cramped conditions of the underwater habitat - from indifference, through antagonism, to paranoia and finally to the realisation that they need each other to survive.
The identify of the "alien" and its chilling computer message "I WILL KILL YOU ALL" is a very clever plot twist and the special effects are excellent.
The last few minutes of the movie and the final scene are about the best in the film.
One of the best film adaptations of a Crichton book that I've seen and well worth a visit.
9 of 11 people found the following review helpful
By Mr. S. Price
Format:DVD
Wow. Never has a film that I've really, really liked generated so much negative critisism. Some of the critisism is justified - the film is completely all over the place, the script and dialogue coming across like they were written on the fly - but the moments that I love about this film totally outweigh any problems I would have had with it otherwise.
First of all, the atmosphere is intoxicating. The sets are realistic, cramped and futuristic, accompanied by Elliot Goldenthall's often slow moving, brassy score. I love his music.
The cast all do a brilliant job of creating actual "characters" by improvising some lines. I have heard the critisism that there is too much talking in this film. TOO MANY CONVERSATIONS. It's opinions like these that make filmmakers produce such masterpeices as Alien Vs. Predator and Resident Evil. Let's have all expository dialogue and no actual pondering or drama - the audiences will love that!
This film rips off pretty much every SF cliche. Everything from Alien to Contact and back again is pilfered from, and some moments are a little hard to believe, the motivations of characters unclear. But you need to think to enjoy the film, and it does need you to use your imagination.
I didn't care that the giant squid is never shown (unlike it is in the book where it has a full-on battle with a crewmember), and I don't care that there aren't any little green men in it. I love the performances (especially when they start to distrust one another) and the atmosphere and every time I see it I see something new.
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3.3 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
A very underrated movie.
This film has come in for a lot of stick from all sides over the years. But I personally find a lot of it over the top. Read more
Published 6 days ago by PJF
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sphere DVD
This has got to be one of the all time great sifi movies made. Really enjoyed watching it and will do again
Published 2 months ago by David Jackson
2.0 out of 5 stars
too much thought will damage your enjoyment
This film could have been so much better even considering the really unoriginal plot. It was undoubtably helped by the good cast and special effects. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Steve C
4.0 out of 5 stars
Very good
Despite the negative reviews, especially the main review on Amazon, I found this film to be a very good, psychological science fiction thriller. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Liam Mariscotti
4.0 out of 5 stars
very good
this was a very good movie even though it is a bit date now, but even so I really enjoyed this one, it was a very unique movie and I haven't seen anything like this before
Published 11 months ago by Electric
1.0 out of 5 stars
Baffling Sh1te
I can't believe that this was actually commercially released without major consequences for somebody. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Reimer
5.0 out of 5 stars
good film
This is one of the best (Alien) DVD FILM'S i HAVE SEEN for ages.
Action from start to finish. Great story, well acted by all. Read more
Action from start to finish. Great story, well acted by all. Read more
Published 20 months ago by KATE
3.0 out of 5 stars
Good popcorn film
I think people have taken this film a little too seriously, judging from some of the comments. The film is over two hours long but I found myself engrossed from the start and did... Read more
Published on 11 May 2011 by R. Hughes
3.0 out of 5 stars
Sphere not Balls!
Sphere's not bad. Don't get me wrong it's not great either but it's certainly not the duffer others may have you believe. Read more
Published on 10 Oct 2010 by Mark Pearson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sphere
Suspence at the bottom of the ocean. A group investigate a spaceship and find something they can't explain. They're worst nightmares come true!!
Published on 1 Oct 2010 by Lisa
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