Reviews

This movie is a masterpiece for the people who pay attention to details. Every frame and phrase are subtle, careful parody of the genre. I don't know how to describe the experience better than the other reviewers did, especially with resorting to spoilers, but let me assure you that this movie is a must-see.

What to look for on the second watching in case you didn't know what kind of movie you've seen? Look for the goofs, for the inconsistencies, for actors and sets changing between the cuts. Look at how wonderfully and hilariously the movie fails to be what an naive viewer might think it could be. Appreciate the extent and the multitude of ways in which the movie goes over the top. Then come back here, and try not giving it he highest rating - you won't be able to.

To be frank, I only expected mindless B-movie action an graphics with scantily clad girls and phantasmagoria of kitchen-sink approach to fantasy battle scenes.

I got that, but there was something more. While there was a video game-like linearity and predictability to the plot, there were some surprises for me which made it a great experience. The cinematic battles (and the movie itself) feels like a mash-up of One Flew over The Cookoo's Nest, Matrix, Kill Bill, Lord of The rings and Heavy Metal all at once, transformed into a video game first and then onto the big screen. The fact that it worked so well on a visual level and actually fit together was interesting.

However, it's the overall idea was what got me: the idea of escaping to the world of fantasies while the world around you is unpleasant, and the interplay between the two. I see this movie as a contrast between the reality and the escapism of dreams and imagination, and how, ultimately, the real life takes upper hand. Granted, it could be implemented better without being a Kill-Bill-type movie, but that was an unexpected dimension in a movie of this type.

What probably got me most were the little details in the dreams which corresponded to the real-world details in a non-obvious way. While the girls were directly embedded into the dreams, it takes some thought to realize that the wise old guy is also a character from real life, and who that character is. Likewise, in the final scene you need to figure out which part is taking place in the imagination, and what that tells you about the events.

I could probably draw a parallel with films like Le Magnifique, where a writer played by Belmondo embeds real-life people he interacts with into his fiction, although that would be quite a stretch.

The movie would be appealing to video game-loving young guys, and, in fact, would probably make a great video game. It is deliberately over-the-top, male-oriented, with all the pretty girls, weaponry and stunning visuals.

However, I think there is a deeper back story about a weak girl who is overpowered by the circumstances of life around her, which. This story, which is easily overlooked due to abundance of visuals, which makes this movie stand out and work for a wide audience.

In short: I came for the girls, swords and zeppelins, but came out with One Flew Over the Cuckoo's nest.

This is one of the very excellent movies that you don't get to see often. A twisted plot, good humor, excellent play and the unique atmosphere of the 30's capture you. There is not really much to add to it, except that Va-Bank II might be even better ! If you are able to see this film - see it. I am running out of words to tell you how wonderful the movie is. I have already mentioned that the actors' play is terrific, but you really have to see it to appreciate it. Every little detail was prepared for you to bring you into the 30's. Everything is good, even the music that the main character plays on his trumpet is excellent (I still remember it :) ) I just wonder - Polish people don't comment on IMDb or what ? This film is highly appreciate all round the ex-USSR, so if you somehow missed it - don't lose your chance.

It's unbelievable to expect such movie to appear in America, and it is reasonable to expect that it wouldn't be accepted by a big percent of the auditorium (or would be accepted because the movie has "boobs" in it etc.) I would expect such movie from Japan maybe. The movie is more than _beautiful_ animation, it surrounds you with its own atmosphere and drives you into the world the authors created. That's what makes you watch it and like it. And just a couple of words about the animation. Most American animations I've seen fell into two categories : "Ugly" and "Disneyish". I like Disney's movies - the ones that Disney actually directed, but the movies made by the studio years later are annoying. Those guys who make the cartoons seem think : "worked once, will work forever" and just copy Disney's style. now disneyism is transferred to 3D - with no change however.

But there are rare but wonderful exception (Simpsons, for example :) Heavy Metal is one of those exceptions. You will definitely like the movie if you like "Six-Stringed Samurai" - these two movies have something in common, their spirits are alike.

The movie is perfect. You will enjoy the bright play of brightest actors as well as tunes that have become classical. In any moment you can pause a movie and get a picture that you'd want to hang up on the wall in your house - so beautiful the movie is. If you can play any musical instrument, you will definitely try playing tunes from Cabaret. But the film has more than that : it also shows how Germany was slowly but inevitably turning to fascism. You feel scary when you listen to a song "Tomorrow belongs to me" and see that the boy singing the song wears the Nazi emblem on his shoulder. It gives you this sort of "I-know-what-will-be-in-the-end" feeling you have when you see newspapers and videos made years ago - yet it reveals some sides you didn't know about.

Cabaret is a very deep movie. There are lots of details in the movie - brightly exposed to us by an excellent cameraman - which create a second, historical storyline which you start to understand only after you watch the movie for a while. Cabaret is the kind of movie you'd want to see several times.