The story is familiar, but the visual execution is what makes the film so memorable and unique. Some may say that this is a triumph of style over substance. I'm more inclined to say the style IS the substance, and what style! The film is like an empty canvas where we can witness Tarsem's crazy, perverse, disturbing, and absolutely beautiful imagination. Even over 10 years later, the visuals hold up incredibly well. If anything, watch this film for the imagery alone. I promise, you won't forget the trippy experience.
This movie my be something else whilst on certain drugs. Without them, it's not much. It seems to be trying to be 'Silence of the Lambs' crossed with 'Fantastic Voyage' - literally getting into the mind of a killer.
When I first saw The Cell, back in the day, my memory is that I didn't really think it was any good. Twenty-some years later, I note that it's directed by Tarsem Singh who made The Fall, which I rate highly, and he does bring a similar visual style that's part childhood dream/nightmare, part fashion show. And in addition to J-Lo and Vince Vaughn, there are actors that didn't mean anything to me then, but who I've come to greatly respect - Vincent D'Onofrio and most especially, Marianne Jean-Baptiste (Secrets & Lies, In Fabric). So okay, let's check it out... Hi, I'm back. Past me had it right. The Cell is not very good at all. Singh's aesthetics are interesting, but applied to a dumb cop thriller, they're forced into Hellraiser territory or are too on the nose so we get the standard explanations. Lopez uses a soft empathetic voice throughout and has no real screen power as a result, nor much of a character. And so when she draws the villain into HER mind, it kind of looks like his and well, whatever. The premise has since been done better, usually without the creepy serial killer element.
A great movie visually. The plot sorta gives off Silence of the Lambs vibes what with the killer plot. The visuals are what makes this movie great. Still a favorite movie of mine even after all these years.
No visual gorgeousness is worth it. It's a very dumb and predictable script and Jennifer Lopez is only concern in being sexy and trying to seduce everybody, even her child psychology patient. A total waste of time.
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moviewizguy
The story is familiar, but the visual execution is what makes the film so memorable and unique. Some may say that this is a triumph of style over substance. I'm more inclined to say the style IS the substance, and what style! The film is like an empty canvas where we can witness Tarsem's crazy, perverse, disturbing, and absolutely beautiful imagination. Even over 10 years later, the visuals hold up incredibly well. If anything, watch this film for the imagery alone. I promise, you won't forget the trippy experience.Outcaster
Excellent visionaru movie. Story? Why? It's doesn't matterDerekFME
Visually very pleasing. Was there a story in there? ;)aussieflickfan
This movie my be something else whilst on certain drugs. Without them, it's not much. It seems to be trying to be 'Silence of the Lambs' crossed with 'Fantastic Voyage' - literally getting into the mind of a killer.Siskoid
When I first saw The Cell, back in the day, my memory is that I didn't really think it was any good. Twenty-some years later, I note that it's directed by Tarsem Singh who made The Fall, which I rate highly, and he does bring a similar visual style that's part childhood dream/nightmare, part fashion show. And in addition to J-Lo and Vince Vaughn, there are actors that didn't mean anything to me then, but who I've come to greatly respect - Vincent D'Onofrio and most especially, Marianne Jean-Baptiste (Secrets & Lies, In Fabric). So okay, let's check it out... Hi, I'm back. Past me had it right. The Cell is not very good at all. Singh's aesthetics are interesting, but applied to a dumb cop thriller, they're forced into Hellraiser territory or are too on the nose so we get the standard explanations. Lopez uses a soft empathetic voice throughout and has no real screen power as a result, nor much of a character. And so when she draws the villain into HER mind, it kind of looks like his and well, whatever. The premise has since been done better, usually without the creepy serial killer element.OldLadyT-RexArms
A great movie visually. The plot sorta gives off Silence of the Lambs vibes what with the killer plot. The visuals are what makes this movie great. Still a favorite movie of mine even after all these years.Ipojucan Dias
No visual gorgeousness is worth it. It's a very dumb and predictable script and Jennifer Lopez is only concern in being sexy and trying to seduce everybody, even her child psychology patient. A total waste of time.kaffy
I hate to use the word "random," but we are speaking of a movie whereinmook
Miscast and clumsy at times but still a unique SciFi/Fantasy take on the serial killer film, with interesting visuals. 6/10.Follow me on Twitter @LastFilmSeen
akuma587
How is this not on a list somewhere? Blasphemy.