Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #104059 in DVD
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Format: PAL
• Original language: English, Esperanto
• Subtitled in: German, English, Polish, Czech, Hungarian, Icelandic, Hebrew, Hindi, Turkish, Danish, Swedish, Finnish, Norwegian, Greek

Amazon.co.uk Review
Confidently conceived and brilliantly executed, Gattaca had a somewhat low profile release in 1997, but audiences and critics hailed the film's originality. It's since been recognised as one of the most intelligent science fiction films of the 1990s. Writer-director Andrew Niccol, the talented New Zealander who also wrote the acclaimed Jim Carrey vehicle The Truman Show, depicts a near-future society in which one's personal and professional destiny is determined by one's genes. In this society, "Valids" (genetically engineered) qualify for positions at prestigious corporations, such as Gattaca, which grooms its most qualified employees for space exploration. "In-Valids" (naturally born), such as the film's protagonist, Vincent (Ethan Hawke), are deemed genetically flawed and subsequently fated to low-level occupations in a genetically caste society. With the help of a disabled "Valid" (Jude Law), Vincent subverts his society's social and biological barriers to pursue his dream of space travel; any random mistake--and an ongoing murder investigation at Gattaca--could reveal his plot. Part thriller, part futuristic drama and cautionary tale, Gattaca establishes its social structure so convincingly that the entire scenario is chillingly believable. With Uma Thurman as the woman who loves Vincent and identifies with his struggle, Gattaca is both stylish and smart, while Jude Law's performance lends the film a note of tragic and heartfelt humanity.--Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews

This Is Just ................
i have a seen a lot of films that i think i somehow get into but this is just something that is so personal - it is sort of like tracing yourself onto the main charecter and watch him charimatically take you from start to finish

to come up with something so innovative and just unheard of and to produce a film that carries you through from start to finish is just undescribable - you get so lost imagining yourself here : it dangerous -

Technical Note - i had the film on dvd (know where that went) and had to get on blu ray - best watched with no disturbance - plan a slot out and just get bemused~

I can see the Stars
I give no apologies for this review, it's completely biased. First things first, this review is about the `superbit' circ 1998. If this review is found next to another format version, please ignore. For story breakdown, the science premise etc, please look to other reviews their much better done.
This disc plays well on a number of first generation DVD players. The colours are solid the sound is excellent; please note I did not try out the various sound enhanced systems, i.e. 5.1 Dolby, as I do not have this equipment.
That said, the Superbit DVD was played on HD DVD player, and HD Flat screen TV. The experience is mind blowing; I cannot see the difference between picture quality on this DVD and some of the newer HD DVD releases. OK HD DVD is a defunct format, but it shows that up scaling this DVD gives it 'Angelic wings'. Is it worth buying? The answer is yes. This superbit DVD makes a fantastic film, even more mind blowing.
Some years ago at a film event, I asked Ernest Borgnine, who played the janitor in the film, what he thought of GATTACA. In a rather dismissive way he said he didn't get it? Well that's his flawed genome.Enjoy!

An un-known treasure, and I love it!
Gattaca... The source of yet another old VHS bought from a jumble-sale, to which I'm really getting an eye for these un-found classics. So good was it that I eventually bought this DVD and haven't regretted owning the film that no-one I know has heard about. That part, I find quite unbelievable.

Set in the 'not too distant future', a strong acting Ethan Hawke plays the role of a young man who is said to be a 'degenerate', yet for all the wrong reasons... He is one of the very few people alive that is "God-Born" - someone born without their genes being tampered with to make them perfect. The world around, therefore, is surrounded by people customised to perfection from the moment they were conceived.

He should be special... But not such the case - Perfection is vital in this future world, and to ever full fill his dream of going into Space, he'll need to become "perfect". Or at least 'appear' perfect...

The film cross a mix of genres and emotions, from some classy romantic scenes with the fabulous Uma Thurman, to some detective work with a not too obvious twist. Action is fairly absent, leaving the film to have more of a classic approach and progressive story, which is refreshing these days.

You may also note that Jude Law is casted too - he plays the very man that helps Vincent (Ethan Hawke) to become a perfect specimen through a change of identity. His role as a crippled but cheeky English man is superb and mature.

The film also uses the rather risky, but in this case well done use of "Timeless" ageing. In other words, although the film is set in the 'not too distant future, the contents of the film, the props, the style, the fashion, and the sometimes sepia filter on the camera gives it an ageless appeal with hints of 1950's haircuts, classic cars (though rather well transformed to battery power!) and Art-Deco Modernist style architecture, particularly the housing. Their is also the nice touch that the detectives, even in Forensic situations, replace Tyvek suits with plush Trilby Hats and smart suits! It's a fabulous composition and gives the whole space theme a glamour that was of its time in days gone by.

I could talk alot more, but i've tried to be concise and not ramble on too much about the themes running through. Overall, if you find clever films with that bit of ageless class appealing, and some well-worked emotions that touch you deeply, I can't recommend this highly enough!