Cyberworld is an average movie. Its essentially a series of 3d computer animated sequences (many of them just surreal without any underlying narrative), linked by some corny backstory of the animation "gallery" - in which the sequences are being displayed - being invaded by computer bugs.Forget about the whole gallery idea. Its slow, dull and afetr a while quite irritating. Its the short films that make cyberworld something just about worth seeing. The only problem is that the best sequences are taken from Antz and an old simpsons halloween special, so there's not much new to look forward to. Furthermore there's absolutley no flow or common theme linking the films. Yes they are all computer animated, but so what. There's a little bit of the Simpsons, then there's something about a flying ballet dancer, the pet shop boys flying through a pyramid snow world etc. Overall this serves to break up the film and make it seem much longer than it really is.Don't get me wrong some of these pieces are beautiful to look at, but when your watching a movie (rather than an art installation) you need some sort of story structure to keep you intersted in the images - however cool eye-catching they are. To be honest, all this would be forgivable if the whole IMAX/ 3d effect had real impact (lets be honest, when you see an imax movie you should never expect Shindler's List), but it doesn't. These short animations were not originally designed for a 3d or imax experince. Yes, they do look cool in big and in 3d, but none of the pieces (excpet for the opening credits) utilise 3d imax to its full slam-bang-in-your-face effect. Essentially then Cyberworld is pretty, its slightly 'cool' to watch, but there's no flow, and as an imax experience it just doesn't pack a punch. If you can, you should try and catch Encounters in 3D (also imax - see my review) which ultimatley proves to be a much more satisfying experince.
Reviews
3 Reviews
Excellent Movie - Awsome 3D Imax experience
25 November 2000
This is an exciting and informative through the history of 3D from its early beginings to the present day (including its use in Universal Studio's T2 ride in LA). Its set in a 3D lab of some proffesor of 3D, who orders his robot pal to inform (and most importnatly entertain) the audience with 3D pieces from over the years. You see early - but incredibley effective - stereoscopic pictures, corny 50s 3D movies with horrendous giant spiders and creaky wooden actors continuoisly throwing objects at the camera (to fully milk that 3D effect). It then comes up to date with some computer animations and so-real-it's-unreal filmed footage of various beaches and street scenes. The linking pieces of the proffessor in the lab are humourous and not in the slightest bit annoying (as is the case with the linking segmnets in many other imax movies - see e.g. my review of cyberworld).
As a 3D imax experince Encounters is also the best i've ever seen (and i've seen many - i've even been to an imax theme park in France "Futureworld"). As every image in the film is designed to make the most of the format, you really get that in your face sensation and will continuously try and grab at the air to feel for 3D objects that of course are not really there. In essence the audience really feels like they are watching a live show with actors on a stage rather than merely a series projected images. Imax movies in general are a mixed bag, some are really aweful. Here though is a true gem that makes the most of the format. You should definetley check it out if its playing anywhere near you.
As a 3D imax experince Encounters is also the best i've ever seen (and i've seen many - i've even been to an imax theme park in France "Futureworld"). As every image in the film is designed to make the most of the format, you really get that in your face sensation and will continuously try and grab at the air to feel for 3D objects that of course are not really there. In essence the audience really feels like they are watching a live show with actors on a stage rather than merely a series projected images. Imax movies in general are a mixed bag, some are really aweful. Here though is a true gem that makes the most of the format. You should definetley check it out if its playing anywhere near you.
The Victim
(1980)
Exciting, hilarious with a pleasantly unexpected ending.
25 April 1999
What a fantastic film. I really wasn't expecting much, it just seemed like a run of the mill 1970s Kung-fu flicks, but boy was I wrong. Chung Yao (Leung), a martial arts expert, has long been on the run from his step-brother who he caught trying to rape his wife on their wedding night. His brother has never given up the chase however, and Chung Yao lives in constant fear that he and his wife will be murdered by the vengeful step-brother. On one of his visits to the village, Chung meets Fatty (Sammo) who is insistent on becoming his servant. Sammo's attempts at winning Chung's favour takes up the first half hour/ forty five minutes of the film, and it's hilarious. Chung has got no patience for a fool like Fatty, and he tries to dodge and lose him in a number of comical and exciting situations including a hilarious set-up at a sauna.
As the film progresses, a really strong story develops, and even though it may initially seem like one of those typical kung-fu vengance movies of that period, it really isn't. There was not one dull moment throughout, and the last half an hour both fight-wise and plot-wise was just mind-blowing. You really wouldn't expect such an powerful and intelligent ending, but watch it and be bowled over. There are some excellent fight scenes between Fatty and Chung, and Sammo gets to do many of his trademark stunts with all the usual wit and energy. But the real icing on the cake has to be the closing fight between Chung Yao and his step-brother, top-notch stuff. From someone who really isn't a fan of the period Kung-Fu flicks of the 1970s/early 80s all I can say is: See it now. 10/10
As the film progresses, a really strong story develops, and even though it may initially seem like one of those typical kung-fu vengance movies of that period, it really isn't. There was not one dull moment throughout, and the last half an hour both fight-wise and plot-wise was just mind-blowing. You really wouldn't expect such an powerful and intelligent ending, but watch it and be bowled over. There are some excellent fight scenes between Fatty and Chung, and Sammo gets to do many of his trademark stunts with all the usual wit and energy. But the real icing on the cake has to be the closing fight between Chung Yao and his step-brother, top-notch stuff. From someone who really isn't a fan of the period Kung-Fu flicks of the 1970s/early 80s all I can say is: See it now. 10/10
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