Brainstorm (1983)

Brainstorm is a fascinating but frustrating film, simply because it dabbles in greatness but fails to develop the fullest implications of its provocative ideas. It's a visually dazzling film with outstanding special effects; directed by veteran effects creator Douglas Trumbull, of 2001 fame; but too caught up in marvels of hardware and software at the expense of its characters, who remain interesting but dramatically two-dimensional. The story involves the development of a headset recorder that can replay one person's experiences--even their emotional states--into the mind of another. The device obviously invites corporate or military exploitation, and Cliff Robertson plays a ruthless executive determined to tap into its lucrative potential. But when a scientist (Louise Fletcher) records her own death experience with the device, along with incriminating evidence, the technology's inventor (Christopher Walken) must unlock the mysteries of his colleague's suspicious demise and the very nature of death itself. Punctuated by remarkable sequences from the perspective of those who use the mind-expanding headset, Brainstorm dares to reach for ambitious themes and innovative movie experiences, and that alone makes it eminently worthwhile. But with a conclusion that too literally interprets the afterlife experience with conventional angelic imagery, and a disappointingly thin role for Natalie Wood (who died while the film was still in production), the film strives for profundity and settles instead for an inspirational light show. --Jeff Shannon Amazon.com

Love the movie, bad transfer here on the DVD

I've loved this movie since it came out (yes, I'm an ancient person who saw it in the theater).

However, I just got this DVD and it appears they screwed up the transfer. The film is _supposed_ to be a 2.35 format movie but was transferred for a 1.85 academy projection. So all of the scenes that were shot with 65mm show up cropped, all of those shot on 35mm are full frame. Very annoying and a waste of space that could have been used for a higher bitrate compression.

Granted, this is one of those early DVD transfers that has "widescreen" on one side and "standard" on the other. Even for $10, I'd pass on this and wait for this movie to be retransferred correctly on Blu-Ray or some future format.
January 3, 2009

Can it be......

This was a very interesting movie, both when I was a kid and even now 30 yrs. later. I watched this movie every time it was on as a child on HBO. It is a good choice to buy, it never gets boring. December 27, 2008

Brainstorm

Considering when this movie was made, it was excellent. Big fan of Natalie Wood and Christopher Walken. My children even remember seeing this movie when they were kids and have enjoyed seeing it again. September 18, 2008

Memory was better

My memory of seeing this when I was 15 turned out to be better than the film. August 30, 2008

"Look At The Stars!" ~ A Space Odyssey Of The Mind

In the tradition of the '68 sci-fi classic '2001 - A Space Odyssey' the '83 film 'Brainstorm' explores the infinite parameters of the universe within and proves once and for all the old axiom, "the inside is greater than the outside".

Synopsis: Dr. Michael Brace (Christopher Walken) and Dr. Lillian Reynolds (Louise Fletcher) are two scientist on the cutting edge of modern technology who develop instrumentation that has the ability to record human thought, feelings and the all the internal images and experiences that go with them. Unfortunately just as their research is on the verge of revolutionizing all we know about the mind and the vast, infinite potential within the government steps in and takes over their project in hopes of utilizing their their new discovery for advanced military applications. Will this new technology be used as the ultimate weapon of war or will Michael and Lillian be able to continue their work for the altruistic reasons they originally envisioned?

Critique: 'Brainstorm' is a superior film articulating several futuristic concepts that might well await mankind in the not to distant future. That alone makes this film well worth a view. However there are also numerous moments where the pacing develops far too slowly and the relationships come across as rather bland and emotionless disqualifying this production from ever achieving classic status and the comedic moments of chaos in the lab late in the film are out of place and contrary to the the overall mood and plot of the tale unfolding.

Also on the slightly negative side, the overt anger and paranoia displayed against governmental agencies was a little overdone, but I guess that was in keeping with the angst of the sixties. Fortunately the ending really hits home and gives the audience some real food for thought. If you enjoyed '2001 - A Space Odyssey' and the recent release 'The Fountain' you'll enjoy this film as well. August 20, 2008

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