Altered States

source: Altered States

Trailer—Altered States

Altered States

If there is any reason to like a film as meaningless or pointless as this, it's that it is a "Cedar Point" of a special visual effects ride! I still haven't figured out how or why the things in Altered States happened the way they did. But I think that this is one of the greatest sci-fi films ever made. Who cares if the plot or characters worked or not? When you are watching the mesmerizing images and special effects (which are only slightly dated), then you will understand why this is such a great movie! I still don't know how Ken Russell got these images on film. And the very intricately constructed images fly by so fast in the quick cuts, that it's like a dream that we can barely remember. It's a dream that you can't define or put your finger on. And that is the real reason why I like this movie. I just purchased the Dolby Digital reissue on LD, and I hope more special editions of this film come soon!

Watched this movie for the first time the other night, after hearing about it for years from mates who raved on about it. Most descriptions went along the lines of: "This professor who takes trips and gets into sensory deprivation, man. The dude turns into an ape and all kinds of crazy $#!+. It's a real mind f**ker". So with glowing praise such as this how could I not watch this film!!! William Hurt gives an outstanding performance and is kind of like Magic Johnson to the surrounding cast, in the sense that he makes them better, and they continually feed off his energy. To top it off you have special makeup effects by a true master in the field, Dick Smith. While I can certainly agree with the mindf**k comment, I felt this film went much deeper than what the average stoner thinks. This movie asks some pretty powerful questions, and leaves the viewer to draw their own conclusions. I look forward to another viewing of this film!!

Ah the heartwarming story of a bright young man's obsession with finding the higher levels consciousness no matter the cost... until he realizes just how pricey that cost actually is. Having not read the original novel, I'm afraid I can't say how the film compares with it. William Hurt is the ambitious scientist Eddie Jessup, who's obsession with the higher levels of consciousness nearly destroys him when not altering his "state" as it were. Hurt takes a bold, risky chance here in his first leading role in a feature film, with his naturally cerebral screen persona proving to be both captivating and alienating as he becomes more and more disconnected from his friends and family. Red head Blair Brown is Emily Jessup, his brainy, beautiful but flawed, insecure, and above all else lonely wife who just wants to be loved. Some truly spectacular special effects imagery and full body nudity by the lovely Blair Brown highlights this odd, surreal but undeniably unique science fiction film.

This is one of Ken Russell's best films. He manages to balance plot and wild visuals as never before. The acting is also first rate. I watched it again recently I think it still holds up surprisingly well compared to many modern sci-fi movies. The plot is intriguing, I keep thinking that there might be some truth to the concepts presented, and the fact is that our own brains are still largely unexplored territory. A special mention to the extraordinary music written by John Corigliano, and for which he was nominated for an Academy Award. It dares to be loud and violent, and complements the visuals extremely well. This is a wild, original movie unlike any other.

Altered States is frightening, disturbing, bizarre stuff. It also has a strong heart, and the dialogue is witty and sharp. This film creates its very real sense of horror from foreboding, often disarming musical cues, and a sense that we're on the journey with Jessup, and we don't know what's real or imagined. It rarely relies on gore, or overt "horror" sequences to affect the viewer, but still manages to be truly frightening and horrifying. Russell tones down his usual excesses, but his stamp is nevertheless all over the disturbing hallucination sequences. It's easy to spot the strong influence this film must have had on Videodrome. It creates a similar mood. Thoroughly recommended to anyone with a taste for intelligent horror.