Watch A Scanner Darkly now...

Start your 30 day FREE trial » Find out more

As part of your LOVEFiLM trial

FREE first class post for Britain’s largest range of DVDs, Blu-rays & Games

Thousands of movies and TV series to watch instantly
NO late fees or long term contracts - cancel anytime

A Scanner Darkly Reviews

2006

60
from 24,576 members

Richard Linklater's adaptation of Philip K. Dick's classic novel is a challenging, mind-bending experience that cautions about the dangers of excessive drug use as well as the government's capacity to abuse and manipulate power. Using the same interpolated rotoscoping technique that Linklater employed in 2001's WAKING LIFE, the .. Read more

Starring	Robert Downey Jr., Winona Ryder, Woody Harrelson, Keanu Reeves
Director	Richard Linklater
Genres	Animated, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Thriller

Sign up A Scanner Darkly DVD, Blu-ray

Buy from Amazon.co.uk

Critic's review of A Scanner Darkly
View all critics' reviews (2)
- Utterly hypnotic. Mesmerizing and thrillingly original
- 40966
- - Maxim
  - 08 Oct 2007 at 15:25
Write your own review »
Most helpful member's review of A Scanner Darkly
View all members' reviews (223)
- - 151
  - 34
  Unwatchable...
  
  ...and I don't just mean that I didn't like it. The digital effect that has been applied to the whole film is very hard on the eye - it's like ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 427446
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - Mark Finlayson
  - East Lothian, UK
  - 05 Apr 2007 at 20:04
Most recent members' reviews of A Scanner Darkly
View all members' reviews (223)
- - 0
  - 0
  The only way to watch Dick, Phillip K that is...
  
  i saw this film at the cinema and didnt really get it or enjoy it, but then watched it again at home and found the style and pace just spot on. Its a film you ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1088000
- - Loner
  - 2 reviews
  - 02 Feb 2012 at 13:39
- - 1
  - 0
  Inspired me to buy the book!
  
  This film has a very intriguing story line with good twists, a very dark undertone and some great humour that runs right until the end.
  
  The animation... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1085703
- - Squinky
  - 4 reviews
  - 26 Jan 2012 at 15:03
- - 2
  - 0
  Stick with it, unwrap it
  
  This is one of my fave films of all time. It is slow, it is weird and some of the characters mumble and talk utter rubbish, but thats part of the point. Its an ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1066140
- - Viennasix9
  - 1 review
  - 23 Nov 2011 at 12:03
- - 0
  - 4
  Find something else to do
  
  A slow and tedious story about a bunch of drug addicts in California. It's made in a sort of cartoon format and has no action to speak of and a dialog that... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1063970
- - pete_l
  - 4 reviews
  - 17 Nov 2011 at 22:26
- - 1
  - 0
  A creditable attempt
  
  This film keeps pretty close to the original Philip K. Dick story and it's really entertaining. While the animation techniques might not be to everybody'... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1032795
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - chiltsy
  - 9 reviews
  - 23 Aug 2011 at 20:09
- - 0
  - 0
  Do or Don't?
  
  Not sure if the message is anti or for drug use as the Filmation technique is very 'Trippy'.
  
  Enjoyable but wouldn't watch it again......... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1023540
- - Callanish
  - 17 reviews
  - Isle of Lewis
  - 31 Jul 2011 at 03:56
- - 0
  - 2
  Confused, Rambling and Kind of Pointless.
  
  Kids. Don't do drugs. Seriously. If you do, and do a lot of them, you may end up writing something as confused, rambling, incoherent and pointless as 'A... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1019688
- - JayLow
  - 87 reviews
  - 20 Jul 2011 at 18:51
- - 1
  - 2
  Highly recommended viewing
  
  A totally watchable film, and follows the original Phillip K. Dick novel faithfully. Linklater's animation technique successfully transmits the paranoid ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1017862
- - MickyR
  - 1 review
  - 16 Jul 2011 at 12:41
- - 1
  - 1
  A let down for me
  
  I was very excited to watch this film as I thought the plot sounded very original and the animating techniques looked unique. However I found the film slow and ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1016603
- - jamhead1017
  - 4 reviews
  - Canterbury
  - 13 Jul 2011 at 10:06
- - 0
  - 2
  plain truth
  
  i did not like the amination on this film at all i sort of half heartdly watched it and did not bother to take much of it in.
  
  Report this review
- 1016297
- - a customer
  - 12 Jul 2011 at 16:19
View all members' reviews (223)

- - 151
  - 34
  Unwatchable...
  
  ...and I don't just mean that I didn't like it. The digital effect that has been applied to the whole film is very hard on the eye - it's like ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 427446
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - Mark Finlayson
  - East Lothian, UK
  - 05 Apr 2007 at 20:04
- - 104
  - 16
  A well-done faithful adaptation
  
  Ever since I read A Scanner Darkly by Philip K Dick its has been one of my favourites and I've always wanted it to be made into a film. When I read 2/3 ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 287864
- - Dragilex
  - 138 reviews
  - Manchester
  - 21 Sep 2006 at 10:10
- - 36
  - 9
  A scanner tediously
  
  Enough things in life are designed whether by accident or deliberately to induce a migraine so I can’t say watching A Scanner Darkly was a very pleasant ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 469590
- - Northernsky
  - 318 reviews
  - Halifax
  - 27 Aug 2007 at 16:47
- - 22
  - 12
  Wonderful
  
  You will enjoy this film if you like the book or have experience in similar situations as the characters involved.
  
  The filming technique is fantastic... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 369677
- - BubbleBoy
  - West Yorkshire
  - 01 Sep 2006 at 13:52
- - 18
  - 5
  Interesting Film
  
  This was a good film. The use of animation was interesting but the acting performances stand out. I thought it might be boring but I got totally sucked into ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 418323
- - a customer
  - Fawkirk, Scotland
  - 08 Mar 2007 at 19:36
- - 14
  - 2
  Sorry. 2/10
  
  Words can not describe how awful this ‘thing’ is, and I use the word ‘thing’ quite deliberately, is it a cartoon? Is it a film? Who can tell... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 490592
- - Graham
  - UK
  - 02 Nov 2007 at 15:38
- - 15
  - 11
  Boring Sci fi
  
  As with most Linklater films, this one is self-indulgent and pretentious. The rotoscopic animation was ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 392417
- - trotsuk
  - 117 reviews
  - LONDON
  - 06 Dec 2006 at 15:40
- - 11
  - 5
  Huh?
  
  In a nutshell, this film is a series of unconnected scenes about nothing in particular.
  
  I fell asleep 3 times watching this.
  
  Report this review
- 401977
- - Jason Watkins
  - Essex, England.
  - 14 Jan 2007 at 09:45
- - 8
  - 3
  Confused?
  
  This is a good attempt at a Phillip K Dick adaptation. I'm a big fan of Dick's books and Richard Linklater's films, so I was excited to see this.read more »
  
  Report this review
- 277003
- - Martin Rice
  - Oldham, UK
  - 19 Aug 2006 at 09:57
- - 7
  - 2
  RUBBISH
  
  Stay away. Rubbish. Rubbish. Rubbish !!!!!
  
  Report this review
- 516644
- - a customer
  - London
  - 23 Jan 2008 at 09:57

< Prev
1
2
3
4
5
...
» of 23
Next >

Agree or disagree? Write your own review

Review title: Give it a rating:

Write your review:

Tips for writing helpful reviews

Only review titles you've actually seen!
Talk about what you liked and disliked
Compare this title with other similar titles
Provide plenty of detail - at least 20 words
Space things out - use blank lines between paragraphs.
Be appropriate - no adult content, libellous statements or naughty words
Don't SPAM! No promoting of other websites or services
Don't plaguerise! Your submission must be your own original work
Don't talk about LOVEFiLM by name

Give it a title:

Tips for an eye catching title

Don't just repeat the name of the title you're reviewing
Don't summarise your entire review in one word - a minimum of 2 words please.
Give people a reason to read your full review - create a sense of intrigue or curiosity!

Keep me anonymous Keep me anonymous Contains spoiler? This review contains spoilers (or might spoil it for someone who hasn't seen it yet)

New users register here

Email address:
Password:
Preferred user name:
I agree to LOVEFiLMs Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy
I'd like to receive film news and reviews as well as info about all the other good stuff LOVEFiLM offers

Already a member? Sign in here

Email address:
Password:Forgotten password?

By clicking Preview review you agree to our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy

Buy from Amazon.co.uk

- - Buy
- A Scanner Darkly - Blu-ray
  
  Richard Linklater's adaptation of Philip K. Dick's classic novel is a challenging, mind-bending experience that cautions about the dangers of excessive drug use as well as the government's capacity to abuse and manipulate power. Using the same interpolated rotoscoping technique that Linklater ...

- - Buy
- A Scanner Darkly
  
  Richard Linklater's adaptation of Philip K. Dick's classic novel is a challenging, mind-bending experience that cautions about the dangers of excessive drug use as well as the government's capacity to abuse and manipulate power. Using the same interpolated rotoscoping technique that Linklater ...