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Gattaca [VHS] [1998]
 
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Gattaca [VHS] [1998]

VHS ~ Ethan Hawke
4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (60 customer reviews)

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Product Description

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


Synopsis

Vincent is an outsider, meaning that his birth was natural making him 'In-valid'. The world in which he lives is ruled by 'designer people' - that is, people forged in test tubes. He is only able to pursue his goal of a mission to space by buying prime genetic material from a 'Valid' and forge a new identity. This done he meets Irene, another 'Valid', but a week before his flight a Gattaca mission director is brutally murdered...

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Customer Reviews

60 Reviews
5 star:
 (39)
4 star:
 (18)
3 star:
 (1)
2 star:
 (2)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.6 out of 5 stars (60 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars "THERE IS NO GENE FOR THE HUMAN SPIRIT", 25 Aug 2009
By Michael JR Jose (the UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)      
This review is from: Gattaca [DVD] [1998] (DVD)
Maybe Gattaca, which has great performances from some top stars, would be justly more famous if there were a large genre of 'tech noir', which was understood to about ordinary people in an ordinary world, but with the science and technology of the future both tightening the parameters of the game, and increasing the glittering prizes which are most certainly not for all. But it has to be admitted that this is also a gritty parable, which hits hard and low, and is as much a dystopia as Star Wars is a feelgood romp.

In the world of Gattaca (which is the name of the aerospace company in the film, formed from the initials of the amino acids which compose DNA - Glycine, Adenine, Thymine, and Cytosine), the engineering of DNA has reached the point where there are now two tribes - those with the best engineered DNA, giving them strength, height, the desired hair colour, intelligence, perfect eyesight, etc. And the others, with the usual human flaws and variabilities. Anyone can get a test to tell you to a percentage point whether you will die of heart failure or cancer though, which is handy for planning your life but not so handy for getting insurance cover for the things you really need it for. Girls kiss their dates to get a DNA sample on their lips, and get a quick five-minute DNA readout to check whether it is worth a second night out.

Our hero (Ethan Hawke) is the ordinary man who sets out to beat the system which condemns him to being second class. One of the best of the DNA best whose life proved that having all the advantages does not guarantee success in life helps him. "There is no gene for fate", is the moral of the story and it is delivered as a low key line. This is a film which relies on the overall effect to make its point. The official tag-line of the film, which is on the DVD cover is similar: "There is no gene for the human spirit". It all proves that the Selfish Gene is not the first or last word on human life or our future. The ending is a shocker, and all the better for that.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars All consuming intensity.., 25 Jul 2006
By M. Partridge (Cornwall, England) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
This review is from: Gattaca [DVD] [1998] (DVD)
I first saw this film when i was 14, and even then i knew what a masterpiece it was. For many years i had forgoetten about this film, until i saw it on television.

This film has now become one of my favourate films, and i watch it religously. I am a strong believer that a score can make or break a film, and in this instance the score is right on the money. The score is as intense as the film is, and has an air of high class about it.

The film itself has a clinical feel, which is perfect for the story line, yet in myself at least, it stirs up alot of emotion.
I think that the acting in this film is very good, as they convey the emotionless state of society, yet give glimpses of the dwelling feelings underneath.

I can understand how some people will not like this film, just as i can understand how some people do not like "Brazil", or "Solaris", but i would say that your definatly missing out on something very special.
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19 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars All science fiction fans should see this film., 4 Jan 2003
This review is from: Gattaca [DVD] [1998] (DVD)
Gattaca is a beautiful film.

I've read a review that focuses on fingernail clippings and criticises the special effects which has spurred me to defend this film.

Yes, in the opening credits we see closeups of finger nail clippings falling to the floor, but they are almost beautiful set against the light blue background. However, I don't know many people that are only interested in the opening credits.

So, if you think science fiction is only about special effects, go watch a big budget, badly acted, 'run of the mill', 'Sci-Fi' film. If you want to watch a modern classic of the science fiction genre watch Gattaca.

The visuals in this film are amazing. The cyber-punk world, that we are presented with, features a beautiful mix of many different periods of the last century. Everything is sleek and smooth. This film is science fiction for the young professional.

When I buy a DVD and there are deleted scenes on it, I always think to myself that one or two of them should have been left in. However watching Gattaca's 'Lost Scenes' I realized just how much this film had been crafted. None of these sequences deserved being placed into the film. This film really is a work of art. Everything is just right.

Forget about the science fiction for a moment though. This film is inspiring. The cover states "There is no gene for the human spirit". This film tells us that we can do anything. Nothing is set in stone, we can control our own fate.

When I'm depressed I watch this film, it motivates me, like no other.

The only real shock was that Danny DeVito was a producer on this film. My opinion of him has altered post-Gattaca.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars The Gene Genie
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Published 4 months ago by Barney McGrew

5.0 out of 5 stars Should have more recognition
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Published 5 months ago by Mr. David Thomson

5.0 out of 5 stars Historical Background
To understand Gattaca, it helps to know a little history.

About a century ago, progressives took up what the New York Times in 1912 called the "wonderful new science"... Read more
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5.0 out of 5 stars This Is Just ................
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5.0 out of 5 stars I can see the Stars
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5.0 out of 5 stars An un-known treasure, and I love it!
Gattaca... The source of yet another old VHS bought from a jumble-sale, to which I'm really getting an eye for these un-found classics. Read more
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4.0 out of 5 stars Science Fiction Well Done...
I am no great fan of science fiction but this film has a great way to submerge the audience into the realms of possible alternative future. Read more
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5.0 out of 5 stars A perfect story
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5.0 out of 5 stars Science faction
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