Film: A Scanner Darkly
Genre: Drug/Action
Release Date: July 7th, 2006
Distributor: Warner Independant
MPAA Rating: R
Running Time: 1 hrs. 40 min.
Review by Dack

Starring:
Keanu Reeves
Robert Downey, Jr.
Woody Harrelson
Winona Ryder

I'll be honest, after seeing this movie, I'm glad I've never done drugs in my life, and A Scanner Darkly has made me never want to touch the stuff, after going through it's crazy mindtrip.

The second movie ever to use the new film making technique, Rotoscoping (Drawing over pre-exisiting film), Warner Independant took a big risk hoping this would appeal to the majority of America. The risk definatly payed off, because the rotoscoping adds so much to an already amazing movie.

A Scanner Darkly is based on the Phillip K. Dick book by the same name. The book is one of my favorite books, so going into the movie, I had my expectations up higher then the people in the movie. Luckily, not only was I not dissapointed, I was pleasantly suprised. The movie follows the book nearly word for word, and only cuts out a few unimportant scenes.

A Scanner Darkly is about Bob Arctor, who is a Police Detective named Fred, but he doesn't know he is Fred, because he takes so much of a drug called Substance D (which can be compared to Meth). Fred is assigned to watch Bob Arctor, So Bob Arctor is watching himself, but doesn't know it. Most of the movie is a dialogue between different people. Jim Barris, is a friend of bob arctor who is always coming up with schemes, like making cocaine out of sunscreen. One of the funnier scenes involves Jim Barris buying a 16 speed bicycle, but they only see 8 gears, and think they got ripped off. The movie shows how drugs destroy your work, your friends, and most importantly, yourself.

If you liked Minority Report, Blade Runner, or Total Recall, you'll love A Scanner Darkly. But really, anyone will love this movie, whether your mainstream or margin, there's something in here for you.

Final Rating: 4.5/5 Stars