Brazil (1985)

An acquired taste
Brazil is definitely out there. The concept itself is very impressive and very well done. While the execution of the movie was flawless it still left me unsatisfied. I blame that just on my preferences and not on any slight on the film itself. Still it's worth noting that in my opinion Brazil isn't all that it was made out to be.

I think my biggest gripe is that this is a social-political satire and that just isn't enough to entertain me. Though the different scenes all make sense, when you think about it when they come at you it sometimes feels like a mess. I am assuming that is part of the charm in Brazil. I just couldn't get into it. It wasn't bad. It just didn't make a strong impression on me.

In spite of the shortcomings this is a very well done movie. The sci-fi style isn't quite cyberpunk. It seems more like "Golden Age of Wireless"-punk. I think director Terry Gilliam calls it Retro-futurism. Whatever it is, it's cool. Personal phones are mini-switchboards, computers have tiny screen with giant magnifying glasses and typewriter type keys, and God help you if you ever need to have your air conditioning checked. The characters are all quirky and cool at the same time, especially Harry Tuttle. There is a recurring dream that pops in now and then that looks beautiful. I think the dream sequences are the coolest parts of the movie.

Brazil might be one of those acquired tastes movies. If you are really into dark comedies or stinging satire then this might be right up your alley. For the average viewer Brazil might be over the top or hard to follow. If you are interested in unique retro-future tech then it's worth a look. I won't say every sci-fi fan should watch Brazil, but it wouldn't hurt.

A Classic!
If you are not a Tery Gilliam fan then you might not be able to appreciate this masterpiece. In the vein of 1984, the future is a world based on control and corruption, just Terry Gilliam style.

Beware, this is a "nerd" classic, not a cultural classic
I'm all for creative films, which I thought this was supposed to be. It isn't. It's such a simplistic and random retelling of "1984" it makes even videogames like Half Life 2 look sophisticated by comparison, and that's not saying much. I realize now when people call a film classic you have to ask if they mean a "nerd" classic like The Matrix, or Brazil, or something that's of genuine cultural value. This is definitely a nerd classic, and not the latter. Be warned, unless you have an uncommon love of mechanical things and little emotional resonance within you, this movie is just long, boring, and cheesy as hell.