loading...
The Thirteenth Floor
1999
A curious letter left by a murdered colleague leads computer scientist Douglas Hall (Craig Bierko) to investigate the mysterious circumstances. Hall finds a portal to a parallel cyber-world that resembles the 1930s, and when he becomes a suspect in the murder, he enters this cyberworld and finds many surprises. A film filled .. Read more
| Starring | Craig Bierko, Gretchen Mol, Vincent D'Onofrio, Armin Mueller-Stahl |
|---|---|
| Director | Josef Rusnak |
| Genres | Sci-Fi/Fantasy |
loading...
-
Critics' reviews (2)
View all -
Computer technician Craig Bierko finds himself the main suspect when his boss — the mastermind behind a computer simulation of 1937 Los Angeles populated with programmed inhabitants who are oblivious to their actual origin — is found murdered. Though Bierko's subsequent investigation uncovers plenty of twists and turns, most viewers will have a pretty good idea of the final explanation after the first third of the movie is over. Predictable as it is, this still retains some interest. The computer simulation of the 1930s world perfectly re-creates the era, the performances are acceptable, and the script makes each sequence play out in an intelligent and plausible fashion.
-
Confusing science-fiction, involving time travel into the past and the future; the problem is, nothing very interesting happens there, or in the present.
-
Most helpful members' reviews (3)
View all -
19 out of 21 people found this review helpful
Question everything
13th Floor, without giving too much away, is vaguely similar to "The Matrix" but without the kung fu. It’s a more thoughtful version. Whether this is a good or a bad thing you decide.
The storyline is very cleverly thought out, and backed up by some solid performances. The director does a fine job of dropping in little hints and red herrings along the way. This film requires your attention for you to enjoy it, but as it is well directed and grabs it, you don’t have to battle to enjoy the film.
If you enjoy films that leave you questioning afterwards then I highly recommend "The 13th Floor" -
10 out of 11 people found this review helpful
The matrix, only better!
For any Hollywood blockbuster there's always another film that receives much less publicity and is not as critically acclaimed as the hyped-up one, yet the 'lesser' film is more often than not far superior. This is the case with The 13th Floor and The Matrix. Not that The Matrix was a bad film, it was very good; it's only the last part of the trilogy that spoilt it. The 13th Floor's plot develops along the lines that the Matrix should have done. OK, so the last 15 minutes is predictable, they didn't go for the cheesy ending of driving off into the sunset down a long desert road towards a new city (get the film to see what I mean); I think they should have done - it would be ironic to do that, in fact they probably cut that bit for brevity.
All in all a brilliant film with the most detailed and realistic 1930's sets, costume and music I've ever seen (you can tell there's a lot of Germans involved with making this film).
Get it, watch it, enjoy it. Could be profound if you let it be, if not just enjoy the tension. -
8 out of 12 people found this review helpful
Still think you know what's going on!
This one is so full of twists and turns, but the pace makes you only notice them and not have time to work it out.
All in a good structured film with a great balance of all the things you look for in a mystery plot.
All the characters are well presented and all in very enjoyable and thought provoking.
One that won't hurt to give it a go. -
Most recent members' reviews (2)
View all -
5 out of 8 people found this review helpful
Tosh
Utterly uninspired, unaffecting, painfully predictable tosh. Elaborate? Why I will..
From minutes into the film, you will know exactly how it is going to end. The script is laughable, and both the lead male and female roles are bland as could possibly be. The actor in the lead role has 3 facial expressions, by far the most overused of which is 'surprised'. He seems to spend half the film surprised, as if those responsible for this monstrosity thought it might rub off on the audience, and somehow we wouldn't see the staggeringly obvious conclusion looming on the horizon.
If, you're relatively new to sci-fi, you'll (probably) lap this up, but if you like a bit of meat to your plotlines, give it a miss. -
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
Interesting but ultimately unsatisfying
CONTAINS SPOILERS...... This film is good enough to keep you trying to second guess what's going on but the ideas contained within are a little unsophisticated and don't stand up to much interrogation. Two issues I had with the plot were the transfer of an inorganic consciousness to an organic one, fair enough you could possibly synthesise an organic consciousness and put it in a program but you can't go the other way, which makes the end of the film a bit silly, unless of course the supposed top level worl is also a simulation. My biggest contention though was that if each person is merely a character in a simulation that can be 'played' for an hour or so by a 'user' in the real world then surely the whole 'world' would be having memory blackouts and changes of personality and be seen in odd places, i doubt that would go unnoticed for long. It's difficult for me to enjoy a film like this fully when it's implausible, I can certainly stretch my imagination to take account of science fiction and fantasy but the reality created by the fantasy must actually be possible in theory if not in practice. This film isn't, and while it's a bit of fun and worth a watch if you like the kind of reality-doubting films like matrix and the game, it's not a great and the last 20mins is really pretty cheesy.
-
19 out of 21 people found this review helpful
Question everything
13th Floor, without giving too much away, is vaguely similar to "The Matrix" but without the kung fu. It’s a more thoughtful version. Whether this is a good or a bad thing you decide.
The storyline is very cleverly thought out, and backed up by some solid performances. The director does a fine job of dropping in little hints and red herrings along the way. This film requires your attention for you to enjoy it, but as it is well directed and grabs it, you don’t have to battle to enjoy the film.
If you enjoy films that leave you questioning afterwards then I highly recommend "The 13th Floor" -
10 out of 11 people found this review helpful
The matrix, only better!
For any Hollywood blockbuster there's always another film that receives much less publicity and is not as critically acclaimed as the hyped-up one, yet the 'lesser' film is more often than not far superior. This is the case with The 13th Floor and The Matrix. Not that The Matrix was a bad film, it was very good; it's only the last part of the trilogy that spoilt it. The 13th Floor's plot develops along the lines that the Matrix should have done. OK, so the last 15 minutes is predictable, they didn't go for the cheesy ending of driving off into the sunset down a long desert road towards a new city (get the film to see what I mean); I think they should have done - it would be ironic to do that, in fact they probably cut that bit for brevity.
All in all a brilliant film with the most detailed and realistic 1930's sets, costume and music I've ever seen (you can tell there's a lot of Germans involved with making this film).
Get it, watch it, enjoy it. Could be profound if you let it be, if not just enjoy the tension. -
8 out of 12 people found this review helpful
Still think you know what's going on!
This one is so full of twists and turns, but the pace makes you only notice them and not have time to work it out.
All in a good structured film with a great balance of all the things you look for in a mystery plot.
All the characters are well presented and all in very enjoyable and thought provoking.
One that won't hurt to give it a go. -
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful
to settle the 'matrix' comparison
The Thirteenth Floor was to me,a great film.It's got a great plot.It did manage to keep my attention very well.
I can see why it gets compared to the Matrix,but they are different films.
TTF is more scifi/drama/thriller where The Matrix is more scifi/action/psychology.
Both good on their own right.
If i had to choose The Matrix gets the nudge forward,(must be the leather suits)and also because of it's anime influences,which i love.
I strongly recommend The Thirteen Floor if you are thinking of renting it.Being second best to The Matrix is,in my books ,not an insult. -
5 out of 8 people found this review helpful
Tosh
Utterly uninspired, unaffecting, painfully predictable tosh. Elaborate? Why I will..
From minutes into the film, you will know exactly how it is going to end. The script is laughable, and both the lead male and female roles are bland as could possibly be. The actor in the lead role has 3 facial expressions, by far the most overused of which is 'surprised'. He seems to spend half the film surprised, as if those responsible for this monstrosity thought it might rub off on the audience, and somehow we wouldn't see the staggeringly obvious conclusion looming on the horizon.
If, you're relatively new to sci-fi, you'll (probably) lap this up, but if you like a bit of meat to your plotlines, give it a miss. -
4 out of 5 people found this review helpful
Lucky for some...
You're in luck if you get to see The 13th Floor because, for some inexplicable reason, this movie got very little attention when it was released.
It was perhaps unfortunate that any film about virtual reality will get compared to The Matrix. There really is no comparison because The 13th Floor is a quiet, thoughtful movie (with one or two violent moments) rather than the all out action of The Matrix.
The reacreation of 1930s America is beautifully realised and all the SFX are well up to standard. The cast are not well known, although Dennis Haysbert (from 24) is excellent as an LA cop. The plot really delivers and you will not be disappointed.
Forget about The Matrix, this is a first rate movie in it's own right. See it. -
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful
The thinking man's Matrix
If slick CG effects and martial arts be your thing, then The Matrix is the one for you, but this one's far better constructed and acted than that blockbuster. Interestingly released the same year as Matrix, so one can't say it was trading on the back of it and therefore must be judged in its own right. The storyline has better integrity tho the ending, in typical Hollywood fashion tends to be a bit naff, despite the very last few frames that end the film. Very satisfying nevertheless.
-
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
Sadly underrated intelligent SF.
A movie that got lost in the shadow of The Matrix, being made on a fraction of the budget and without all the vacuous gore and explosions. Instead you get an intelligent screenplay with several interesting twists, characters you care about, good acting by all concerned (especially Gretchen Mol) and absolutely stunning photography.
Such money as was spent on special effects went to lovingly re-creating 1930s Los Angeles, and the movie is worth seeing for this alone. There is also an excellent and unassuming commentary by the director, Josef Rusnak, plus some before-and-after special effects shots.
If you're a fan of Memento, The Sixth Sense or any of John Dahl's quirky modern noirs you'll love this. Well worth renting. -
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
Interesting but ultimately unsatisfying
CONTAINS SPOILERS...... This film is good enough to keep you trying to second guess what's going on but the ideas contained within are a little unsophisticated and don't stand up to much interrogation. Two issues I had with the plot were the transfer of an inorganic consciousness to an organic one, fair enough you could possibly synthesise an organic consciousness and put it in a program but you can't go the other way, which makes the end of the film a bit silly, unless of course the supposed top level worl is also a simulation. My biggest contention though was that if each person is merely a character in a simulation that can be 'played' for an hour or so by a 'user' in the real world then surely the whole 'world' would be having memory blackouts and changes of personality and be seen in odd places, i doubt that would go unnoticed for long. It's difficult for me to enjoy a film like this fully when it's implausible, I can certainly stretch my imagination to take account of science fiction and fantasy but the reality created by the fantasy must actually be possible in theory if not in practice. This film isn't, and while it's a bit of fun and worth a watch if you like the kind of reality-doubting films like matrix and the game, it's not a great and the last 20mins is really pretty cheesy.
-
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful
Well, will it remind you of the Matrix??
It's OK. Lots of reviews seem to compare it to the matrix, much to my surprise. It's an adequate book adapatation. The story and concepts are interesting, the acting fine, [apart from the 'hero' of the piece, who to my mind falls a little flat, but others seem to think his performance perfectly suited to the piece.] and most seem to give it 5 stars, so what do I know? If you like SF, give it a go. [After all, Vincent D'Onofrio is always worth a look...]
Critics' reviews (2)
-
Computer technician Craig Bierko finds himself the main suspect when his boss — the mastermind behind a computer simulation of 1937 Los Angeles populated with programmed inhabitants who are oblivious to their actual origin — is found murdered. Though Bierko's subsequent investigation uncovers plenty of twists and turns, most viewers will have a pretty good idea of the final explanation after the first third of the movie is over. Predictable as it is, this still retains some interest. The computer simulation of the 1930s world perfectly re-creates the era, the performances are acceptable, and the script makes each sequence play out in an intelligent and plausible fashion.
-
Confusing science-fiction, involving time travel into the past and the future; the problem is, nothing very interesting happens there, or in the present.
Buy from the LOVEFiLM shop
-
-
- Thirteenth Floor, The - BLU-RAY Version
- Blu-Ray: £9.93
Free Delivery - RRP £19.99 (you save: 50%)
A curious letter left by a murdered colleague leads computer scientist Douglas Hall (Craig Bierko) to investigate the mysterious circumstances. Hall finds a portal to a parallel cyber-world that ... -
-
-
-
The Thirteenth Floor
A curious letter left by a murdered colleague leads computer scientist Douglas Hall (Craig Bierko) to investigate the mysterious circumstances. Hall finds a portal to a parallel cyber-world that resembles the 1930s, and when he becomes a suspect in the murder, he enters this cyberworld and finds ...
-
Related News & Features
Related user collection
If you only had 2 hours left to live. (21)
32.4% from 25 members
Celebrity collection
Russell Brand (5)
66.6% from 93 members
Showing 1 to 3 of 5
