THX 1138 (Lucas, 1971)
I'd heard great things about "THX 1138," George Lucas' (of "Star Wars" fame) directorial debut. I blind-bought the Director's Cut the other night, and I wasn't disappointed when I popped it into my DVD player today. The film is a fresh, innovative one -- one that is exctiting and compelling, and still manages to present a deep, thought-provoking story.
THX 1138 (Robert Duvall) is a man living in a stark-white, totalitarian city run by cyborgs. He's given daily doses of "sedatives," which cripple his emotions and turn him into a mindless machine. His only task in life is to build more cyborgs, which in turn are activated and set on patrol in the populace. The cyborgs themselves are a sort of pseudo-Stormtrooper android, resembling more modern-day police officers with metallic faces. THX's roommate, LUH 3417 (Maggie McOmie) is a female human. In a society where love is unheard of and sex is denied, the two find common ground in their confusion, and cease taking their doses of sedatives. They soon fall in love, and try to escape the city where their passion is a crime.
You can tell "THX 1138" is a young director's first film. Lucas takes chances with his angles and story progression. But this adds a bit of unique flair to it. The cinematography is just excellent -- and though the "Star Wars" films are utterly fantastic, they're not known for their especially creative camerawork. Lucas experimented with "THX-1138," however, and the result is an interesting viewing experience.
"THX 1138" is a little bit of "1984," a whole lot of "Anthem" and a pinch of "Star Wars." They all blend seamlessely into a beautiful, gripping piece of cinema. Definitely a must-see for Lucas fans.
The Final Verdict: 7/10
THX 1138 (Robert Duvall) is a man living in a stark-white, totalitarian city run by cyborgs. He's given daily doses of "sedatives," which cripple his emotions and turn him into a mindless machine. His only task in life is to build more cyborgs, which in turn are activated and set on patrol in the populace. The cyborgs themselves are a sort of pseudo-Stormtrooper android, resembling more modern-day police officers with metallic faces. THX's roommate, LUH 3417 (Maggie McOmie) is a female human. In a society where love is unheard of and sex is denied, the two find common ground in their confusion, and cease taking their doses of sedatives. They soon fall in love, and try to escape the city where their passion is a crime.
You can tell "THX 1138" is a young director's first film. Lucas takes chances with his angles and story progression. But this adds a bit of unique flair to it. The cinematography is just excellent -- and though the "Star Wars" films are utterly fantastic, they're not known for their especially creative camerawork. Lucas experimented with "THX-1138," however, and the result is an interesting viewing experience.
"THX 1138" is a little bit of "1984," a whole lot of "Anthem" and a pinch of "Star Wars." They all blend seamlessely into a beautiful, gripping piece of cinema. Definitely a must-see for Lucas fans.
The Final Verdict: 7/10
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