Solaris, good blind buy? (1 Viewer)

[Kristoffer]

Okay i am seriously thinking about ordering this!
I really like 2001 and other Sci-fi films. I like films that make you think like Mulholland dr. and such.
I like both Cammeron and Sorderberg and have Traffic CC.
Will I like this?

 

[Randy A Salas]

There are strong opinions for and against this film. You'll probably find that as many people like it as hate it. There seems to be little middle ground.

One of our film critics, Colin Covert, who specializes in art-house and foreign fare (and thus is more receptive to a film like this) and is a big fan of Soderbergh, gave the film *** out of four stars and said:

I most overrated . . .
"Solaris": A pretentious "Ghost" in space.

This is not an attempt to sway you either way. It's just an advance warning that you'll probably get similar responses.

I assume you know that this a remake of an earlier, famous Russian film, which is available from Criterion?

 

[Kristoffer]

Yeah I know that, and I know that opions are very different on this!

 

[Rich Malloy]

Do you have trouble finding rental discs in Denmark, Kristoffer?

If not, then I recommend you rent first. In fact, I recommend you rent the original Tarkovsky film, which is a brilliant film and available on excellent DVDs from Criterion and Ruscico. And then rent Soderbergh's version.

I usually get burned on "blind purchases" that aren't films from directors whose work I invariably like. But if you really want me to tell you how to spend your money, I will. If you must buy, then I recommend you buy the Tarkovsky version first. If you like it well enough, then buy Soderbergh's.

 

[Holadem]

Rich,

Did you ever get around to watchig the new version? You made such a big deal out of this in the movies forum, then managed to miss it's theatrical run... what's the verdict?

BTW, I loved the movie and intend to own it some day, but this is the exact opposite of a good blind buy.

--
H

 

[richardWI]

The Criterion Solaris has a great commentary track that really helped me sort out what was going on. Without that it would have been totally incomprehensible instead of just partially incomprehensible. I throughly enjoy it, but it sure ain't for everyone. Haven't seen the new one but I'm keeping an open mind. I also plan on reading the novel soon.

 

[Jon Robertson]

The earlier film version by Tarkovsky that Criterion released is certainly the more widely acclaimed film of the two.

 

[Dave F]

I loved the movie and intend to own it some day, but this is the exact opposite of a good blind buy.

My thoughts exactly. I'm picking it up as soon as humanly possible, but since people are so polarized about it, I wouldn't recommend a blind buy.

-Dave

 

[John KB]

I've had the DVD screener for quite some time now. I found the movie to be boring, yet interesting at the same time. I'm glad I saw it, but I wouldn't buy it. I just don't think it's the type of movie that holds up to repeat viewings.
My friend, who loves any type of Sci-fi, had the same general feeling. He watched the movie with me.

 

[Josh Steinberg]

I love both films of "Solaris" - the newer one isn't exactly a remake. It's a new adaptation of the source novel by Stanislaw Lem. I really liked Tarkovsky's version, but Soderbergh's was the one that really got to me. I think it's an incredibly powerful, haunting film, and I actually saw it more than once in theatres (something I rarely do). And I wish I had a screener to hold me over until the official release, but at least that's soon.

Josh

 

[Ted Todorov]

I just don't think it's the type of movie that holds up to repeat viewings.

Personally I loved seeing it a second time and look forward to the DVD. I saw it the second time on a plane, and considering that at the theater I saw it 3/4s of the audience walked out, I was really curious about what form the walk outs would take on a Trans-Atlantic flight

In any event I liked it even more on the second viewing, and frankly even though I have read the novel multiple times and seen Tarkovsky's (tangentially related) film, I found the second viewing kind of essential.

Disclaimer: I am a HUGE Soderbergh fan and consider The Limey a trully great film.

And FWIW, I don't think this film is a good "blind buy" -- Joe & Josephine average movie goer pretty much hate it. But of course, it depends on how you feel about blind buys -- I personally do not rent, so I make tons of them, and don't feel cheated if I end up hating something.

Ted

P.S> Yeah, Rich were still waiting for your take on the new film, but I suppose you're waiting for the DVD to see it

 

[Ted Todorov]

Oh, and one more thing -- I disagree with the people saying you should see Tarkovsky's Solaris first (and I love Tarkovsky). The films are totally different and I can see no clear advantage of seeing one or the other first.

If you want to be meticulous about it, read Lem's book first, but I hope that a good Danish translation exists, or that you speak Polish or Bulgarian or something 'cause the English language translation is a bad joke.

Ted

 

[Rain]

If I had it to do over again, I would have watched Soderbergh's Solaris first instead of Tarkovsky's.

Although they are based on the same story, the films are quite a bit different and, quite frankly, Tarkovsky's is about 1000 times better.

As much as I tried to separate the two in my mind, Soderbergh's film paled so much in comparison to the earlier version that I found it difficult to enjoy.

 

[Jon Martin]

Thumbs down on Solaris for me. Both versions in fact (It is Tarkovsky's weakest film).

But there are many who love the new version. So, you may love it.

Rent it, then make up your mind.

 

[Bill J]

As several others have said, definitely rent it instead of making a blind purchase. If you like thought provoking Sci-Fi films and enjoy Soderbergh there is a good chance you will like Solaris, but I wouldn't risk it.


Rain, out of curiosity what didn't you like about Soderbergh's version?