Existenz
A Dimension release

review by Joe Mauceri

"Reality is a fragile thing. Most people think that reality must of course be the most solid thing, but it isn't. Reality is threatened now more than ever. It is being eroded and it is washing away in the deforming storm of non-reality, which masquerades as reality, and eventually replaces it. Deformed and crippled and limping and hideous, threatening to engulf us all." - Ted Pikul

"eXistenZ," at face value, could be a sequel to Cronenberg's 1983 "Videodrome." Unfortunately, it lacks the sense of style or thought-provoking punch of his previous films.

William Dafoe goes gunnin' for Cronenberg

Talented actors deliver automaton-like performances that occur in confusing and convoluted layers of game/reality. The production designs are basic. Cronenberg's cry of "long live the new flesh" influences the special effects. They mutate amphibians to create MetaFlesh game pods. Players jack in using UmbCords, which they insert in ports implanted in the player's spine. They temper these honorific images with sexual innuendos. What should be provocative, dramatic and suspenseful becomes laughable at best. Cronenberg stated his story was inspired by the "Satanic Verses." The futuristic elements of "eXistenZ" unfold on screen like a badly adapted Phillip K. Dick story. In one sequence the director cuts several times to a shot of greasy burger wrappings, a bag and cup bearing the logo "Perky Pat," a visual reference to Dick's story "The Days of Perky Pat." Dick used science fiction elements as window dressing to put forth thought provoking commentary on political, social and philosophical issues. However, Cronenberg doesn't successfully blend the themes and issues he proposes. The surreal elements have no impact on reality, missing the opportunity to address the issues of technology vs. humanity. "eXistenZ" is a forty-million dollar feature that plays out like a "B" attempt at doing a Cronenberg film. Without updating his cinematic "bag-of-tricks," images that were provocative to film audiences some 15 to 20 years ago have no resonance with today's. "eXistenZ" is a flaccid techno-thriller when compared to films like the recent box office hit "Matrix."

OFFICIAL WEB SITE:
www.existenz.com

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