Did you like it?
I know it's not very well regarded but I remember thinking it was a pretty descent movie.
shareI thought it was an awesome movie, suspense and sci fi all in one movie.
share
MovieChat Forums > Sphere (1998) Discussion > Did you like it?
No, it wasn't very good.
share"Sphere" intermixes elements of other scif-fi flicks, like "Forbidden Planet" (1956), "Solaris" (1972), "Alien" (1979) and "The Abyss" (1989). Like those movies, the plot involves a small group of people who are isolated from society and encounter the unknown. The theme is the actualization of one's thoughts and fears and the potential for good or, more likely, bad that comes with it. Are we mature enough as a species to handle such power?
Of course, we already have this power, just not to the degree depicted in the story (seemingly). Anything important that we do, whether productive or destructive, is formulated within first and then manifests without, like a song or a book or a loving relationship. If we truly knew the power at our disposal we'd hardly be able to sleep at night we'd be so excited!
The first hour or so is quite good because the film definitely makes you feel like you're at the bottom of the ocean. The mystery is engaging and the actors formidable. Unfortunately, some parts of the second half don't work so well. The sea snake scene, for instance, is weak, particularly the way Stone's character responds to the situation. It seemed more like a dream than reality and maybe that's what the director (Barry Levinson) was shooting for, a cross between reality and nightmare, but it comes across wrong. Parts like this destroy the illusion of the movie. As far as the ending goes, it features tricky material that's not easy to pull off and the movie's only half-successful with it. The fact that it's somewhat successful is largely due to having great actors. They pulled it off.
Despite the rushed vibe of parts of the second half, the theme is great. This isn't a slasher-film-in-space, like "Alien," but is more thought-provoking, which isn't to say it's as good. However, there are some harrowing and creative aspects, like the jelly fish sequence.
Question: Why is it that the dark side of the human subconscious is empowered by the alien tech?
Question: Why is it that the dark side of the human subconscious is empowered by the alien tech?
This is a great question and one that annoyed me rewatching the film for the first time in over 20 years. If the sphere can manifest their heightened emotions like fear and suspicion why wasn't it manifesting anything positive? I found this frustrating and a huge flaw in the writing. It was a cop out. Samuel L Jackson's emotions are manifested when he's dreaming, and we're meant to believe he only has nightmares? And why are his dreams only ocean related? Jellyfish, huge prehistoric ocean dinosaurs... it felt convenient for the drama.
It's a decent movie and the actors save it but the whole "fears manifest" storyline is very silly.
I've been wanting to rewatch it since I haven't seen it for 8-9 years. About the issue in question, maybe the movie (and Crichton) is suggesting that humanity is intrinsically destructive, fearful and generally negative in nature?
shareYeah I guess so. I still don't buy it though. Upon entering the sphere they had just interacted with the first alien in history and we're supposed to believe they immediately start manifesting destructive and terrible things? These were highly intelligent people who I'd wager would also have a great sense of wonder and elation to be in such a position. It just felt too convenient that they instantly became paranoid and destructive, it annoyed the hell out of me.
share