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The Thirteenth Floor [DVD]

Craig Bierko , Gretchen Mol , Josef Rusnak    Suitable for 15 years and over   DVD
4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (39 customer reviews)

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Product details

  • Actors: Craig Bierko, Gretchen Mol, Armin Mueller-Stahl, Vincent D'Onofrio, Dennis Haysbert
  • Directors: Josef Rusnak
  • Writers: Josef Rusnak, Daniel F. Galouye, Ravel Centeno-Rodriguez
  • Producers: Helga Ballhaus, Kelly Van Horn, Marco Weber, Michael Ballhaus
  • Format: PAL
  • Language: English
  • Subtitles: English, Polish, Hungarian, Czech, Hebrew, Turkish, Swedish, Finnish, Greek, Norwegian
  • Region: Region 2 (This DVD may not be viewable outside Europe. Read more about DVD formats.)
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9 - 1.77:1
  • Number of discs: 1
  • Classification: 15
  • Studio: Sony Pictures Home Ent.
  • DVD Release Date: 3 July 2000
  • Run Time: 96 minutes
  • Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (39 customer reviews)
  • ASIN: B00004TITG
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 11,758 in Film & TV (See Top 100 in Film & TV)

Reviews

From Amazon.co.uk

Computer scientist Hannon Fuller (Armin Mueller-Stahl) finds something extremely important. Knowing that he's marked for assassination, he leaves a message in the virtual reality world he's designed, hoping it will be found by colleague Douglas Hall (Craig Bierko). Hall is a suspect in Fuller's murder and indeed finds a bloody shirt in his house, with no recollection of what he did the night before. Hall plunges headlong into Fuller's world (a re-creation of l937 Los Angeles) to try to unravel the slaying and is soon knee-deep in confusion and trouble. What this film lacks in character depth and plot cohesiveness it makes up for in special effects and high concept. Fans of films like Blade Runner, Dark City, eXistenZ, and even the game Sim City should find this appealing. Of course, there's the question of letting the computers do all the heavy lifting in films while the humans walk through the plot (an all-too-familiar scenario in 1999), but the re-creation of 30s Los Angeles is certainly something to see, pallid script and acting or not. The Thirteenth Floor is a stylish modern-day noir that raises questions about technology vs. reality, all the while wrapped up in a murder-mystery story line. --Jerry Renshaw

Product Description

Top computer scientist Douglas Hall (Craig Bierko) has helped create a groundbreaking virtual world, modelled on Thirties Los Angeles. When the leader of the project is murdered, Hall becomes prime suspect. The arrival of the victim's beautiful daughter adds to the intrigue, and as the line between fantasy and reality becomes blurred, Hall begins to wonder if he actually is the killer.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Most of my views on this film have already been put very effectively by other reviews. Thus: the "predictable" twists still work (and I didn't predict most of them!), the performances are well judged if subtle, and the atmosphere and production values (mostly) lift themselves above the genre and the budget. The movie is indeed worthy to be judged alongside The Matrix, plus or minus, and in my opinion slightly plus, although I did rate The Matrix highly. I'd also like to add that The Thirteenth Floor is an unusually, and genuinely, moral and humanistic tale, for something that is basically entertainment. I cannot reveal exactly why I hold this opinion without generating plot spoilers, but this aspect should not be difficult to spot. Finally, who else thinks there is a final possible twist right the end, and why do we not see more of the delicately beautiful Gretchen Mol?
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20 of 21 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars The Sims on film 15 Mar 2003
Format:DVD
Some people think this film was derived from The Matrix. In fact it is based on a book I read as a teenager and that was MANY years ago. As soon as someone in an internet conference mentioned the name I knew the book by, "Counterfeit World", I knew I had to see it.

The concept of this film becomes closer to reality every day as games like The Sims let you live life for a computer character. A group of scientists have created a simulated world inside a computer. The inhabitants have a life of their own but people can plug in to take over a character and live their life. None of the characters in the world are aware it isn't real and life goes on for them even when there is no human intervention.

One of the scientists makes a shocking discovery and manages to leave a message for his colleague with a simulation character before he is murdered and the colleague becomes the prime suspect. Entering the virtual world to find clues to clear his name, our hero discovers that the message has enabled a character to discover the true nature of his world.

After various twist and turns with new characters appearing in his life and events making him doubt his own sanity he discovers the secret his mentor was killed to protect. One concept I don't remember from the original book, but crucial to the story, is that if a player is killed in the virtual world the normal mind of the character will take over his body. This brings the film to a satisfying conclusion that I don't remember in the original novel.

Some reviews have said the acting isn't very good, but I found myself so carried along by the concept and the questions it raises about reality I can't say I really noticed the acting. That's really all I ask of a film.

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15 of 16 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars An Under-rated Gem 3 Jan 2001
By A Customer
Format:DVD
Unfortunately, the 13th Floor was released straight to video here and it's a shame really. Though it has been pointed out that many of the 'twists' are predictable and so is the ending, the same could be said for many films, including the over-rated 'The Matrix'. As to the point that Craig Bierko's performance is flat, I must disagree. I think his performance suited his character; an easy going good-guy who's been drawn into something against his will. The support cast is excellent and the soundtrack is superb. This film will not disappoint, especially if you like character and plot driven films. If you liked Dark City in particular, check it out now. Trust me, you won't be disappointed.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent video with an unexpected twist
Well thought out plot that completes in an unexpected way. The concept is different and fascinating. The technology behind the video is consistent with todays technology.
Published 14 days ago by Mr. T. W. Foster-Baker
5.0 out of 5 stars Pleasant Suprise
Other reviewers will explain this movie, but i just wanted to say that it was a pleasant surprise to watch, it was a book that referenced this film that brought me here, otherwise... Read more
Published 15 months ago by shane lynch
2.0 out of 5 stars Really - don't bother.
I bought this based on all the four and five star reviews, but I must have been watching a different film! Read more
Published 15 months ago by Anna Richardson
4.0 out of 5 stars The Matrix's distant cousin that's been locked away in the attic
Every synopsis I read of The Thirteenth Floor has the words `mind-bending' written in it. Therefore I made sure I followed the story pretty closely so that I didn't miss anything. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Albatross
4.0 out of 5 stars Top-notch film-making on a budget
My first viewing was enthralling. Taut story-line, superb detailing, fine special effects, excellent performances by eye-candy Gretchen Mol and Craig Bierko, Dennis Haysbert in... Read more
Published 16 months ago by jasonhad
4.0 out of 5 stars Well worth watching
If you like sci-fi and crime thrillers then this is the film for you. It will leep you guessing into what is real and what is not.
Published 19 months ago by morganpj
4.0 out of 5 stars Great film
The 13th Floor has elements of The Matrix, Existenz, Dark City and much more recently Inception. Obviously it came out around the same time as the first 3 films, as it deals with... Read more
Published 24 months ago by Charles Gosling
4.0 out of 5 stars An intelligent and thought provoking thriller
It's one of those films you have to watch more than once . . . .
Published on 31 Aug 2010 by K. Thomas
3.0 out of 5 stars Surprisingly good
While not in the same league as the original Matrix, still a good piece of SF.
Published on 25 Jun 2010 by Mike Oz
5.0 out of 5 stars Worlds within worlds within worlds
Hannon Fuller (Armin Mueller-Stahl) has a secret and knows that he will be killed for it. Therefore, he leaves a message or his friend and college, Douglas Hall (Craig Bierko. Read more
Published on 1 Jun 2010 by bernie
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