Strange Days

Repeated viewings on dvd have proved this movie to be a thought provoking, rollercoaster ride. Not since Bladerunner has the blend of new technology and 20th century decadence been so well mixed. The Squib technology is fascinating, with so much potential; within the context of the film it is pornography that drives the market (parallels with the internet?)and provides Fiennes' character with painful revists of his lost love.

There are blips in the plot where it thins, the casting is a little skewed, but stick with it and witness the stunning events that unfold. I felt the energy of the millenium countdown at the end of the film actually eclipsed the real night here in London.

Recommended; definitely up there with Terminator,Bladerunner, Aliens et al.


A Turn of the Century Thriller That Has Aged Far Better Than Those Y2K Readiness Manuals.   March 6, 2006
Jim Reed (New York)
13 out of 13 found this review helpful

Released in 1995 this film imagines a distant future of 1999 where gas is over $2.oo a gallon(imagine that)and people want to experience the reality of other people's lives without leaving their own homes.The SQUID technology that allows characters to record what they see and sell it to others(demonstrated in the terrific P.O.V. opening)is used by a killer to record his brutal murders.The responsability to find the killer falls into the lap of washed up cop now tech pimp Ralph Fiennes.Hopelessly obsessed with his ex-girlfriend and his recorded memories of her it's up to a tough limo driver Angela Bassett to help him pull it together.Predating our obsession with reality T.V. by years Strange Days is amazing on many different levels.It was a failure on it's initial release due to the lack of big box office stars.Fortunately what director Kathryn Bigelow did was get people who were right for the part.Instead of being a macho hero Fiennes is emotionally wounded yet charismatic.Instead of being just another pretty face to kick butt Angela Bassett is also the film's emotional anchor.At the time this one of the biggest movies ever to be directed by a woman and it's clearly a labor of love.From the diverse music selection from Deep Forest to versions of PJ Harvey songs to the fact that it's more character based than full of mindless action and has some very clever camerawork you tell she put a lot of thought into creating this film.The New Year's Eve climax is guaranteed to get your blood boiling and is one of the most dramatic endings ever staged.Filmed almost entirely at night in a neon lit world of clubs it's as visually impressive today as it was 10 years ago.If you've never seen this movie you need to check it out...it's one of the best forgotten movies of the 90's.


They may not like it, but I definitely do.   November 21, 1999
Ryan Neidlinger (Virginia Beach, Virginia)
9 out of 9 found this review helpful

Despite what a lot of critics have said about it, Strange Days ranks as one of my favorite films, simply for the immersive, anarchistic feel and the brief glimpse of what our future could look like. It perhaps might be more of a cult film than could be enjoyed by the mainstream audience, but if you're looking for an involving, gritty, not-so-futuristic action flick, check this out. Ralph Fiennes convinces, though Juliette Lewis could've been better. Tom Sizemore, however, is my quiet favorite in his role as Lenny's (Fiennes) pal. There's enough action to keep the plot interesting, and it's always fun the first time around to decide who's doing what.


Brilliant Days   April 1, 2004
gonn1000 (Portugal)
13 out of 15 found this review helpful

One of the sci-fi masterpieces of the nineties, "Strange Days" is a movie that has a bit of everything and ends up being a terrific cinematic experience. Set in a near future, the story deals with classic themes like virtual reality, thought control or the share of memory, providing and exciting and engaging cyberpunk adventure.

Director Kathryn Bigelow creates a futuristic LA that manages to be both sophisticated and believable, avoiding the over-the-top, utopic and not very realistic depictions of future societies presented in other sci-fi films.

Although "Strange Days" is basically a thriller, it is way above many run-of-the-mill movies of its genre, as it suceeds at combining its key elements perfectly. The direction is dynamic, unique and fast-paced, adding style and energy with an excellent sense of rythm, flow and tension.

The acting is also a plus, since Ralph Fiennes is unforgettable as the flawed anti-hero Lenny and Angela Basset shines as his sister-in-arms Mace. This duo makes for an odd, yet original and memorable couple, delivering some enticing and moving scenes. It`s also interesting seeing the female character protecting the male for a change, making for a clever reverse of the predictable and typical scenario of most action flicks. Juliette Lewis is also convincing as the dark and feral femme fatale, especially when she sings a P.J. Harvey song to perfection (one of the many excellent and remarkable moments of this movie).

"Strange Days" is much more than a futuristic thriller, providing a rich cinematic experience that brings issues such as isolation, trust, friendship, love and life in general. Every scene is compelling and intriguing, and the plot is very well developed, culminating in a tense, dynamic and huge finale with a superb climatic ending. Kudos to the soundtrack, by the way, especially the Skunk Anansie live presence during the last scenes that adds a lot of edge, mood and atmosphere to that peculiar chase sequence.

Overall, this movie is definitely an underrated classic and a must-have. Forget overrated stuff like the boring and very flawed "Blade Runner", since "Strange Days" is a much more compelling and solid sci-fi masterpiece.

Highly recommended.


nothin' means nothin', lenny...   January 8, 2002
anton mueller (brooklyn, NY United States)
10 out of 11 found this review helpful

i saw this movie in the theater in NYC and it was so powerful that when angela basset is getting the... kick out of her by the LAPD and i little black kid jumps on on of the riot police, thus inciting a riot, every black audiece member (which was about 90% os the people there) started sceaming and there was almost a real riot. i wasn't sure if i was getting out alive. and then, after all of that (and several other conspiratorial happenings which i won't reveal), the movie ends up being just a love story, i loved it! it seemed to be about so much, to be saying so many things, racial barriers, addiction, ect. But it comes down to the end and says all that really matters are the people you love and the people who love you and knowing who really cares or what's best for you. it was beautiful, and i have never seen an audiece react to a film like that (unless the film really...). the performances are fantastic and ralph finnes is wonderful in a role that isn't exactly what he's known for. and cameron's script is mearly flawless, makes you wonder how he fell from this to Titanic.