Monday 21 May 2018

Film Review: "Fahrenheit 451" (2018).


"Knowledge is a dangerous thing" in Fahrenheit 451. This dystopian drama film directed by Ramin Bahrani, adapted by Bahrani and Amir Naderi, based on the literary classic of the same name by Ray Bradbury. The film follows on Montag, a young fireman who struggles with his role as law enforcer as he battles his mentor, fire captain Beatty, and Clarisse, an informant caught between the competing interests of Montag and Beatty. Simultaneously, Raven, a tabloid reporter, tasked with spreading propaganda and broadcasting the firemens' book-burning raids.

In the 1990s, Mel Gibson was planning to direct a remake of Fahrenheit 451 (1966), with Tom Cruise in the lead role, but the project was eventually abandoned due to scheduling conflicts with Gibson and Cruise. As early as June 2016, Bahrani had been developing a modern adaptation of Bradbury's literary classic. In April 2017, Michael Shannon and Michael B. Jordan were cast in the film, with Jordan also assuming an executive producer role. By July, Sofia Boutella, Khandi Alexander, Lilly Singh, Martin Donovan, and Keir Dullea rounded out the film's cast. At the same time, principal photography commenced, and took place in Toronto and Hamilton, Ontario Canada.

The film stars Jordan, Shannon, Boutella, Alexander, Singh, Donovan, and Dullea. Giggling at the absurdities and inconsistencies is part of the fun. But the talented cast alone will keep you watching, as will the fight scenes. The film succeeds primarily because of Jordan's uncanny ability to project the awakening soul of the character he portrays. Shannon makes it all frighteningly real. And lots of fun.
The film feels like a reheated mishmash of other sci-fi movies. It would be a mindless dystopian drama picture, except that it has a mind. It doesn't do a lot of deep thinking, but unlike many futuristic combos of sf and f/x, it does make a statement. It is a dreary sci-fi drama movie set in a dystopia where knowledge is forbidden and and the burning of literature. Despite often being preposterous and heavy-handed, there are enough slick visuals to offset the overall silliness, and the displays of burnings provide some blistering action scenes. Though ultimately silly, the film's shopworn but stylish synthesis of ammo and ideas is surprisingly engrossing. An entertaining but unspectacular film. Pretty goofy at times - but the slick and gleefully self-indulgent violence will not disappoint the action fan. Borrows from so many other literary and cinematic sources that this future world feels absolutely deja vu. It is hard to say whether the film is a sensational total waste of time (and talent) or gloriously (and derivatively) over-the-top kitsch fest. You could rant at me for hours all the reasons it sucks, and I'd probably agree with most of them -- but the point is, I had fun. It's a long way from Bradbury's dark, intelligent warning cry to the empty stud knockabout of the film, and what once was conviction is now affectation. A lackluster exercise in derivation almost completely free of fresh ideas.

Simon says Fahrenheit 451 receives:

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