THX 1138 (1971)

Wonderful character development!

Sadly Over-hyped

Perfect cast and a good story

This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.

. . . to We Americans of (The Then) Far Future, THX 1138 proves uncannily accurate in forecasting the USA's current predicament. "Buy more. Buy more now. Buy. Be Happy," orders the ubiquitous P.A. announcer chick at 18:00, paraphrasing the then-diapered Kellyanne Conwoman's infamous exhortation decades later to "buy Iwanna Rump's stuff!" THX 1138 pictures a nation of spineless automatons dying by the droves under the mismanagement of unseen Big Brother Corrupt Corporate One Per Center Fat Cats, as instituted by U.S. Strongman Czar Vladimir I and his White House Sock-Puppet-in-Chief, Iwanna's Pops, Don Juan Rump during the past 12 months. Even the minutiae of once-private Sex Lives is splashed across screens on full public display in THX 1138, perfectly forecasting the deplorable Sex Police Voyeurs of the so-called Rump\Scents Administration and their State House Minions, who've moved to Outlaw Birth Control, require the forced-birthing of Hydroencephaleptic Watermelon-Headed Fetuses, and threatened the execution of Modern-Day Midwives and Endangered Moms. (The Harvey Weinsteins of this world must be free to sow their wild oats and sire the Majority of the New Generation, as Genghis Khan did a millennium ago.) All this and more is aptly predicted by Warner Bros.' masterful warning, THX 1138.

Sexual contact of any kind, against the law. Pills instead of food. All hair, shaves. All body coverings, white and loose, with the government telling you through passive/aggressive brainwashing what emotions are right for you. No anger at any time. Radiation disasters happen, and a calm voice tells you not to worry. This is a bleak view of a future where personalities are not welcome and everything you do is monitored. Pretty save stuff from an era that also have us "Fahrenheit 911", "Soylent Green" and "Logan's Run". Those are films I could appreciate, because they told a linear story, but the story here is hidden in incidents and assumptions that left me frustrated, confused and I must admit, bored. It's not horrible, but other than the fact that a fairly young Robert Duvall is desperately trying to escape this hell on earth universe didn't give me enough interest to find it intriguing. Yes, we're in a changing world now, politically, socially and economically, but we're far from "A Clockwork Orange" that this tries to emulate in more ways than one. Strictly for the science fiction obsessed. Others will not be impressed.

George Lucas made his feature film directorial debut with this dystopian sci-fi movie about a depressing conformist future where people are bald and not allowed to have sex. Robert Duvall and Maggie McOmie play the couple that does the horizontal mambo, which leads to trouble. Donald Pleasence has a fun supporting role. He was probably my favorite part of the whole movie. I could listen to that guy read the phone book. The special effects and sets were quite good for the time, particularly when one considers the limited budget. Unfortunately Lucas has seen fit to rape his own movie by adding terrible CGI effects decades later. The story is thin and I can't say I saw anything that impressive about it. I certainly don't hold the high opinion of the film other reviewers do. It's a little artsy for my tastes and quite often dull. The visuals are what makes it worth watching. Lots and lots of white on white. The climactic chase is the movie's highlight. But, again, look out for the shitty CGI.

THX 1138 (1971): Dir: George Lucas / Cast: Robert Duvall, Donald Pleasence, Maggie McOmie, Don Pedro Colley, Ian Wolfe: Stunning masterpiece set in the 25th century. Futuristic film regards the identity of the hero, reducing people to physical structures. Digits replace personality and brands people as products. Mankind exists in underground cities patrolled by robots with humans controlled by drugs that cease passion. Reduction introduces intimacy and a need to escape. Impressive debut by director George Lucas with astonishing visuals and art direction, plus an effective use of sound. Superb performance by Robert Duvall who seeks to escape the slavery of mind control and reintroduce passion into life. Maggie McOmie gets involved with him sexually, which is rediscovered and treasured. Donald Pleasence counsels Duvall and together discuss their state and the potential for opportunity. Don Pedro Colley plays a hologram that is featured throughout. Other roles are not very broad or at least lose focus to the visual elements. With its exquisite art direction and visual appeal one could easily compare it to 2001: A Space Odyssey but Lucas takes it a step further with broader characters and a stronger sense of purpose. It symbolizes the unfulfilling relationship between people and objects with our need for intimacy, purpose, and individuality. Score: 9 ½ / 10