Brainstorm

Being on a Walken kick, I was looking for something odd that he had done that might be a cult hit. This movie really wants to be a Speilberg movie but doesnt' quite get there. It's a nice restoration compared to what I imagine the original looked like. Pros: Interesting Special FX for 1983 Soundtrack is more emotive than the script or characters. Cons: The first half feels like it wants to be a thriller, the second half turns into more of an existential expoloration about life after death. Neither theme is fully developed into something interesting. Heart attack scene goes on almost too long becoming a bit comical.

Don't watch it

What a great movie!! Must see!!!

One has to remember that Ms. Wood was tragically lost before this film was complete. While I find it quite entertaining like it is, one can only imagine what this movie might have been had it been completed as originally written. I understand that major rewrites were required to finish the film without Ms. Wood. Again, the movie is very good and certainly worth watching. The premise is fascinating and the effects are quite good.

The world lost one of the great ones when we lost Natalie Wood. This was her last film--the one she was working on at her untimely death. We will never know how the film would have ended--how it was intended to end. They changed it up and changed the ending after Natalie's death, rather than lose the whole film. Other comments are right on about this film's contribution to the sci-fi futuristic drama value of this film. Even though the ending is rough--it had to be--it is iconic in its message. Where the film is in danger of failing, I think Natalie breathed life into it and made it work like no one else could have done. I don't think you can be a sci-fi fan and not see this film. It is not horror and not filled with glitzy special effects--it is a thinking person's film. I am so glad I found it here. My VHS tapes are so old and don't play well. I have missed having this film available. I am now a happy camper.

During the "dream" sequences, the picture is a good widescreen image, but otherwise, the black bars of the widescreen image are not only on top and bottom, but on the left and right sides as well. Thus making the picture about half the size all the way around on my T.V. screen.

This is a very entertaining movie, and the special effects are good considering the time it was made. It has always been one of my very favorite movies, largely because, who would not at some time or another want to experience what a friend or loved one is going through or what it feels like to do this or that?

This is a critical work (with many flaws) in terms of science fiction and its development in movie form, so if you have any interest in science fiction films / cult science fiction, their evolution, and some key ideas of science fiction then you basically have to watch this for education and general information. Separately, as long as you take it "easy" and aren't too critical, it is enjoyable. A very interesting science fiction work with some very cool ideas that in many ways were ahead of its time. The central premise, that one could "enter" another person's point of view and see and feel things inside their head (as a recording) is very cool, intriguing, and brings up possibilities and questions about communication with words and its limits and whether "ultimate" understanding is possible (or good) between people. The first half which focuses on the scientists, their discovery, their convincing their boss of its greatness, the ethical issues around it, its immediate use for porn (they got that part of human nature right!), the problems with the military intruding and wanting to take over, tax payer money for private projects, etc. is all good. In the second half, the story is more about the marital problems and how they get fixed, the brat son who plugs into the wrong program, and the scientists' obsession with seeing a key recording -- and ends with a vision of God and the afterlife that just get ridiculous. Acting is good overall actually, with some very strong moments by all. In brief, many excellent ideas, but too my American-style cheese and relationship improvement towards the end with an essentially religious ending that sort of made the whole thing belly-flop in my mind.

Christopher Walken and Natalie Wood are at their best here. For anyone working in technology/development, you'll agree that this is a very realistic portrayal of the way such a fantastic technology would emerge. Recommended viewing!