- 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
- Language English
- Classification: 15
- Studio: Columbia Tristar
- VHS Release Date: 5 Mar 2001
- Run Time: 100 minutes
- Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (37 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B000057X24
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 29,097 in Video (See Top 100 in Video)
|
||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
Product details |
Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
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
Synopsis
The barriers that separate fantasy from reality are shattered in this stylish, mind-jarring thriller, where two parallel worlds collide in a paroxysm of deception, madness and murder. On the thirteenth floor of a corporate tower, high-tech visionary Douglas Hall (Craig Bierko, The Long Kiss Goodnight) and his high-strung colleague, Whitney (Vincent D'Onofrio, Men In Black), have opened the door to an amazing virtual world - circa 1937 Los Angeles. But when the powerful leader of their secret project (Armin Mueller-Stahl, Shine, The X-Files) is discovered slashed to death, Hall himself becomesthe prime suspect. Arriving from Paris is the beautiful and mysterious Jane Fuller (Gretchen Mol, Rounders), claiming to be the murder victim's daughter. Her instant, magnetic attraction to Hall only further blurs the lines of what is real. Is he the killer? Is the inscrutable Jane somehow connected? To find the answers, Hall must cross the boundaries into the simulated reality he has helped create - and confront the astonishing truth about his own existence.
Tag this product(What's this?)Think of a tag as a keyword or label you consider is strongly related to this product.
Tags will help all customers organise and find favourite items. |
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
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?
19 of 20 people found the following review helpful
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.
15 of 16 people found the following review helpful
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.
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
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 3 months ago by shane lynch
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 4 months ago by Anna Richardson
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 4 months ago by Albatross
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 4 months ago by jasonhad
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 7 months ago by morganpj
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 12 months ago by Charles Gosling
An intelligent and thought provoking thriller
It's one of those films you have to watch more than once . . . .
Published 21 months ago by K. Thomas
Surprisingly good
While not in the same league as the original Matrix, still a good piece of SF.
Published 23 months ago by Mike Oz
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 3 May 2010 by bernie
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 3 May 2010 by bernie
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
