Immortal Reviews

Arthouse Graphic Novel -- great!

Don't normally bother to post reviews, but feel that this film is getting a pasting, perhaps because its summary is misleading. It may not be to all tastes, but it is a very watchable and enjoyable film, with a compelling message about the nature of humanity and what immortality actually is.

If you enjoyed movies like Run Lola Run, Celine et Julie, Bladerunner, Final Fantasy, the Matrix anime series, or the Fifth Element... well, this is some weird kind of hybrid of the lot of them. It's at the high end of comicbook (or 'graphic novel' if you must) art, brought to life with a few carefully chosen actors and then stylised (deliberately so) animation. The use of cgi allows the director to realise things which just ain't possible in real life -- the gods Bast, Horus and Anubis are particularly interesting.

But the result is a continental film, not a Hollywood one. So if you want blockbuster, then try elsewhere!

Excuse me but theres some blue slime on your head

Immortal is a brave attempt at a film noir sci-fi set in a futuristic New York and I salute the makers for having a go. The use of CGI is of course imperative in movies with panoramic neo-city backdrops but mixing CGI humans with real actors was a big mistake. The city itself is actually very well done with some great visuals similar to Bladerunner and The Fifth Element (but not as good) but there was no need for CGI characters and this is Immortals main failing.

The main story centres around this Egyptian bird dudes attempt to impregnate this rather pale looking chick who cries a lot. She's actually quite a beautiful girl despite the fact that she has blue ectoplasm splatted on her head (she eventually invests in some hair gel and makes it work to a certain degree).

There are quite a few posts on this film which underlines how divided opinion is on Immortal and I would only suggest viewing to serious sci-fi junkies who are into anime and are open to trying something a bit weird.

Cool

well, Ive not seen anything quite like this! A mixture of real people and computer generated ones (to make the film appear advanced than budget would allow, im guessing). it's a simple story really, but quite amusing and intriguing.

An excellent watch for those tired of hollywood

This is a French film which despite some of the Computer generated characters being badly generated, I have to say that this is quite an interesting film. The acting is fine, just not overdramatised like most hollwood numbers. The plot is simple, there are few cheesy gimmicks and overall i would rate this film. Well worth a watch, it's really quite intriguing. A very interesting mix of CGI and real people, quite arty really.

Polarising the viewers

As you'll see from the other reviews, this will be either loved or hated - there's no middle ground. If you like your films with a beginning, a middle and an end, you'll hate it. If you like to empathise with the characters as they move through the storyline, you'll hate it. If you prefer to watch a film with a logical plot progression with occasional innovative twists and turns, you'll hate it. Come to think of it, I can't think why anyone WOULDN'T hate it. I did!

oh my god

well easy way to discribe .............stay away really its that bad

What a load of self indulgent DRIVEL.

What ever you do, DO NOT RENT THIS! The director, screenwriter, author were too far up their own rear ends to deem us poor plebs worthy enough to warrant some sort of story/explanation as to what was going on in this film.

PS: I only gave this movie one star because I couldn't go any lower.

[Highly rated reviewer]

Dazzling and sublime

Surreal, sublime and dazzling sci-fi drama that works primarily from concept and character rather than action and which, while presenting so many special effects that they merge completely with the 'real' elements of the film, does not actually rely on its special effects to carry the film but rather uses them to help develop the context and drama. This movie is a breathtaking display of imagination and aesthetics, channeling many of the genre motiffs we are used to (the sci-fi noir of Blade Runner, the messianism of Fith Element) but using them in a subtly original and genuinely charming way.

I agree with a previous reviewer that this movie has a more continental pace and should not be watched purely as a sci-fi thriller. But it really does shines through its pace rather than suffers for it. It is a more contemplative movie, dramatic on the human level as well as in terms of its plot. This very humanity is no small feat considering that many of the characters are CG and their presence also lends the film a slightly surreal edge. However it is impossible not to like and care for these characters and at the heart of the story there is a love story which combines elements of beauty, tragedy and hope. This is sci-fi aesthetics at its best, a movie of atmosphere and character.

The cast, it has to be said, are excellent; Linda Hardy combines a powerful enigmatic physical presence with a kind of child-like innocence while Thomas Kretschmann has humour, anger and humanity. Charlotte Rampling is a real coup as well.

If I have criticisms of this film, there are really only two: the technology to make this film as well as it deserves doesn't really exist, as such it is perhaps in its conception a little too ambitious - that said you are quickly and easily pulled into the whole thing and the interaction between the real and CG characters is totally believable. Secondly the film is perhaps a little too short, there is so much raw material here in terms of character and sub-plot that it could easily have been a much longer movie, or even a trology!

If you have an adult's mind but a child's imagination, and a heart that's somewhere in between, then you will love this film.

Total Pish

Do not rent this DVD. The mix of live action, low budget CGI and dodgy prosthetics make this movie a visual abomination. Couple this with the nonsensical screenplay then it really is not worth your time! Zero deserved - 1 by default!

Weird but in a good way

I really liked this film. the plot is not anything amazing but it is entertaining and the action moves along at a good pace. Interesting ideas behind it but they could have been developed more. A good watch and nothing too deep.