Review of Strange Days

Introduction

Millennial madness will soon be upon us. Doomsayers predicting imminent apocalypse, cultural hedonism, mass hysteria, suicide cults and that Robbie Williams song going head to head with that song by Busted in the charts. Yup, only 996 years to go (997 if you want to be pedantic). It`s a little disconcerting to see the millennium from the other side so to speak. Only a few short years ago, the world held it`s collective breath as the numbers ticked over from 23:59 to 0:00 and a new age dawned for mankind. It was actually a little anticlimactic, with only a few suicide cults appearing, and no major predictions coming true anywhere. Humanity kept on holding its breath for a few months longer, just in case the worst should happen, and when it didn`t occur, we got back to what we know best, killing each other and screwing up the planet as quickly as possible. But back in 1995, coming off the back of the LA riots it would have been understandable to assume that the year 2000 may not be too bright. Penned by James Cameron and directed by Kathryn Bigelow, Strange Days looks at a possible Millennium, where society is intent on an orgy of hedonistic self-destruction, and the development of a new technology provides an opiate for the masses, as well as providing a tense sci-fi thriller.

When the FBI develops the Super-conducting Quantum Interference Device or SQUID for short to replace listening devices, they open up a Pandora`s box. Allowing a persons experience to be recorded onto mini disc, it allows a user to vicariously indulge in that experience from the original viewpoint, find out what it`s like to rob a store, be someone of the opposite sex, anything they can imagine or pay for, it`s the ultimate in safe sex. Ex-Cop Lenny Nero is a dealer in these stolen dreams, and scrapes a living on the other side of the law. His only scruple is that he doesn`t deal in blackjacks, clips that end in death. He spends his days in the past, wired up and reliving his happier days with Faith a former prostitute he `rescued`, but who left him for the big time with record producer Philo Gant. He`s about to get a rude awakening as a chance encounter with Faith`s friend Iris, who leaves a clip in his car just before it is repossessed, making him an unsuspecting target. Soon Iris is killed and the psychotic murderer is leaving blackjack clips of the crime for Lenny to `enjoy`. The answer to this is on that disc in the impounded car, and the only people who can help him get it is security expert Mace and his old cop buddy Max. Lenny is about to be sucked into something that can tear LA apart, on the night of the biggest party in history.

Video

Strange Days is presented in a 2.35:1 anamorphic ratio. The picture is to the greater part sharp clear and colourful, but there is a consistent level of grain throughout, and one or two scenes are plagued with excessive levels of dirt. Other than that it is a perfectly acceptable transfer. The film`s design is quite well done and in many ways very subtle. LA of 1995 is taken five years down a path of increased societal tensions and riots, a plausible future back then. Hence the militaristic police presence, the greater levels of dilapidation and the general malaise. The proliferation of widescreen TV is well anticipated, but the voice recognition isn`t. The mobile phones are too large as well. Kathryn Bigelow directs this action thriller with a great level of suspense. The violence when it comes is quite jarring and distasteful and she has a good eye for action, with the script being well paced.

Audio

The sound on this disc is DD 5.1 English and from the moment the film starts, you know that it will be put to excellent use. The clips are ostensibly from the point of view of the protagonist, so the sound is designed to be experienced from inside that persons head. The surrounds immediately kick in with a very directional soundtrack as well as the unusual sensation of a person`s own voice inside their head. The narrative parts of the film are almost a let down in comparison. The music selection is also quite powerful with some excellent use of tunes to mirror the future decadence of society (In other words, metal).

Features

There is a 4-page booklet in the case with some production notes.

The trailer is presented in letterbox format.

There is a 7-minute featurette, which is basically the trailer with some added interview goodness. It`s short but informative.

Finally there is an audio track from the Director. Taken from an audience or lecture, Kathryn Bigelow describes in technical detail the methods used to create the Point Of View clips used in Strange Days with specific reference to the opening scene. It starts some 4 minutes into the movie after that clip has run it`s course an then runs for some 50 minutes, at which point the commentary ends and you are taken out of the film and returned to the extras menu. There aren`t any subtitles for this by the way. I found the commentary very technical and a little over my head. Film students will love it though.

Conclusion

There is no denying that Strange Days has dated horribly. The millennium has come and gone and society has managed not to fall apart. But Strange Days is still an enjoyable 140 minutes, simply by having a compelling story. The sci-fi invention of the SQUID is a convenient maguffin that not only serves as a technological narcotic that is indicative of a society in decay, but also serves as a plot device to move the story forward (A similar but contemporary plot device was used to similar effect in Enemy Of The State). However, seeing that such a device was never invented adds to the anachronistic feel, and while people were certainly twitchy about the millennium, the societal ills that plague LA in Strange Days certainly never materialised. People are stupid, but they aren`t that stupid. However, the third element of Strange Days, no doubt inspired by the LA Riots is the tension between minority groups and the authorities. The Rodney King beating that sparked off such violence is a symptom of the modern world and is uncomfortably mirrored in one scene. The murder that sparks off the whole story is also sadly plausible and in that respect Strange Days remains relevant.

Making a change from the usual action thrillers, Strange Days is very much built on characters that are driven by their feelings. Lenny Nero is brilliantly played by Ralph Fiennes and is shown as a man trying in vain to recapture his past after his life disintegrates. Angela Bassett plays Mace, a woman he once helped as a police officer, and who has since reclaimed her life, but retains a sense of loyalty to him. Tom Sizemore is good as the rather unconventional PI, Max, but Juliette Lewis is a little jarring as Lenny`s ex, Faith and it`s a little difficult to see beyond the obvious why she would obsess him so. There is also a memorable appearance from Vincent D`Onofrio as a rather twisted cop and Michael Wincott plays another maladjusted individual as Philo Gant.

I also love the role reversal in this film, it is Mace who is the tough take-charge character who can deal out violence with the best of them, while the hero of the piece, Lenny Nero is portrayed as a vain hustler who`ll try to talk his way out of any situation. Even under pressure he is concerned with his wardrobe. There is a wonderful dark sense of humour in this film that is used sparingly but to good effect. James Cameron`s screenplay coupled with Kathryn Bigelow`s excellent direction make this a cyberpunk thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat.

Ok, now for the bad news. The BBFC have gotten to this title and 13 seconds are excised from the rape/murder scene. Opinions may be divided as to what is suitable, the BBFC on one side and the rest of the world on the other, but my opinion is that the scene is quite shocking anyway even in its trimmed form. However a more blatant cut, and one I assume the distributors are responsible for, is the demise of a guard dog. Anyhow, you may want to try Region 4 instead.

The picture could be better and the extras are either minimal or cater to a specific audience, but this film gives a great excuse to play with the surround sound format and most important of all, I love the film.