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Cypher [DVD] [2003] starring: Jeremy Northam, Lucy Liu, Nigel Bennett, Timothy Webber, David Hewlett

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Rating: - The first proper corporate cyberpunk thriller

There are two distinct cyberpunk universes. The first is the gritty, street-level, bolted-on technology of Blade Runner. The second is exemplified by Cypher.

We are in the cool arid seamless smooth corporate world. Everything is under control and is managed to a high degree. It is no less bloodthirsty than is street-level counterpart but the violence, when it comes is short and effective.

The hero, is a Cypher, a riddle or a nonentity - we are here to find out - a small cog in the corporate machine, to be used for a purpose. However this person has his own secrets and they slowly emerge over the film. The menace increases until at then end there is the violence and then the world rearranges itself into the new patterns.

I'm not going to give away the plot, but if you want to see the corporate future, then spend some time here.

This is a well-produced, quality film that will reward several viewings. It is also useful to be able to watch the film frame by frame during some of the sequences. Where these are in the film will be quite clear.

Rating: - Sleeper spectacular

Wow what a joy to see a film that did not get hyped out of all proportion and yet is a real gem to watch. The film never pretends to be something that is going to be easy to watch from the word go but the amazing plot and the twists are incredible. The action is great and you never really know what is going to happen next. The film involves one average everyday software computer spy who gets heavier and heavier into stealing secrets from the opposing companies, Norton is perfect in the role as is Lucy Liu, just an all round marvellous film.

Rating: - Interesting sci-fi spy thriller

Morgan Stanley has been trying to get himself hired as a spy for DigiCorp for quite a while. He succeeds and thinks he's onto a winner.

He gets sent to convention after convention to record speeches for the company. After that he starts having blackouts and strange dreams. He also starts changing.

He is approached by someone who tells him that things are not as they seem. When he follows up on it he finds a technology that is truly frightening. In the world of corporate espionage he is a minnow who has just realised he's swimming in the shark's mouth!

He then starts working on finding out who he can trust. What follows is bluff and counter bluff.

As with all spy thrillers the film is plot driven and I almost gave it 3*s as it is fairly typical of the genre. There are nice touches in the film (such as the fact that he wasn't given a cover story and that was then subsequently explained by what we find out) and I loved the ending. One word of warning: character development only really applies to Morgan and, to a lesser extent, Rita.

Rating: - Cooler than an eskimo's underpants!

I watched this film on the recommendation that it was directed by the same guy who directed "Cube". Yet again he proved that without an enormous budget, or big stars, you can create a great film.

Jeremy Northam was an excellent choice as the lead role. He looks like your average joe and that's exactly how he plays it. It's a stroke a genius to do this as it draws the viewer (a real life average joe) right in and creates a sense of empathy for the main character.

The plot was excellent, incredibly refreshing, and the film had a cool feel - although some of the CGI was a bit naff.

This film is a rollercoaster ride and will keep your interest right up to the credits.

Rating: - "trust is not an option"

Stunning, imaginative visuals highlight this sci-fi thriller, an intricate story of multi-layered brainwashing that is actually better on the second and third viewing, because of its maze of plot twists that one can get lost in, and knowing the ending doesn't lessen the impact of the drama.
The brainwashing scenes are brilliant, where a group attends lectures on subjects like "processed cheese" and "shaving cream distribution", and in paranoid moments makes me wonder what might be really happening to our brains while watching the average news/entertainment + advertising fare on our televisions.
These scenes are a little like the 1962 "The Manchurian Candidate", only using futuristic technology.

Jeremy Northam is terrific as "Morgan Sullivan", whose reality gets distorted and personality split into several identities. His confusion and fear are believable, and he handles the few action sequences with aplomb. Lucy Liu is strong and beautiful as the mysterious Rita, whose coded telephone number is Job 13:17, "Hear diligently my speech, and my declaration with your ears".
Vincenzo Natali directed this award winning film with stylish flair, a sleek sophistication, and with excellent pacing and some heart-thumping tension. The cinematography by Derek Rogers is marvelous, with a rather stark look, and the score is atmospheric and lovely, by Michael Andrews.
Intriguing, well acted, and with fascinating imagery, this is more of a mental adventure than the typical "blow 'em up" action film, and deserves being seen more than once for full appreciation.
No graphic violence, no nudity, and only the occasional four-letter word make this film suitable for a large audience.
Total running time is 95 minutes.

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