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The Thirteenth Floor on DVD (1999)

The Thirteenth Floor cover art
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Average rating: 65%
1215620111525
3.0
from 844 members
 
Starring: Craig Bierko, Gretchen Mol, Vincent D'Onofrio, Armin Mueller-Stahl, Dennis Haysbert, Steven Schub, Jeremy Roberts, Rif Hutton, Leon Rippy, Janet MacLachlan
Director: Josef Rusnak
Studio: SONY PICTURES HOME ENTERTAINMENT
Run time: 96 mins
Certificate: 15
User collections: The movies that are a little bit out there., Thigh smacking Psychological films, Existential Cinema
Genres: Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Languages: English
Subtitles: Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, German, Hebrew, Hindi, Hungarian, Icelandic, Norwegian, Polish, Swedish
Released: 03/07/2000

Brief synopsis of 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 many surprises. A film filled with atmosphere that leaves you wondering what is real and what isn't. Also starring Armin Mueller-Stahl and Vincent D'Onofrio.

Related

Critics Reviews

Rating of 3 stars out of 5 Radio Times

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.

Halliwell's Film Guide

Confusing science-fiction, involving time travel into the past and the future; the problem is, nothing very interesting happens there, or in the present.

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Members Reviews

Reviews Voted Most Helpful

Rated - 4 starsQuestion everything

bongoking from Surrey , 19/02/2004

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"

  16 out of 18 people found this review helpful
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Rated - 5 starsThe matrix, only better!

Grant Wray from Watford, UK , 15/07/2004

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 9 people found this review helpful
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Rated - 4 starsStill think you know what's going on!

Decker from Midlothian , 02/09/2004

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.

  7 out of 11 people found this review helpful
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Rated - 3 starsto settle the 'matrix' comparison

Joao Correia from London , 14/09/2004

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.

  4 out of 4 people found this review helpful
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Most Recent Reviews

Rated - 3 starsto settle the 'matrix' comparison

Joao Correia from London , 14/09/2004

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.

  4 out of 4 people found this review helpful
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Rated - 5 starsThe matrix, only better!

Grant Wray from Watford, UK , 15/07/2004

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 9 people found this review helpful
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