Movie Rewind -Ultraviolet
March 5th 2007 08:19
Hello Everyone
Tonights post will be a review of the movie Ultraviolet, which I watched over the weekend, now this is a movie that I have wanted to see for a while as it stars Milla Jovovich (Fifth Element, Joan of Arc and Resident Evil) and is basically a futuristic vampire movie, so on all accounts it should have been good.
UltraViolet is a 2006 science fiction/action film. The film was written and directed by Kurt Wimmer and produced by Screen Gems. It stars Milla Jovovich as Violet and Cameron Bright as Six.
The film uses the basic premise of John Cassavetes's 1980 cult classic Gloria [1], about a woman and a young boy on the run from the mafia, and transposes the story to a dystopian futuristic setting where genetically enhanced mutants are fighting a guerilla war against a totalitarian government dictatorship. Many comparisons have been made between UltraViolet and Equilibrium, Wimmer's previous film.
The opening credits is a montage of comic book covers, indicating that the atmosphere of the film is heavily inspired by comic books and Japanese manga (although the film is not actually based on an existing comic book or manga). The impression of the movie as a live-action comic book or anime is further reinforced by the extensive use of bright-hue colors, as well as soft-focus on close-ups to give the faces of the characters a blurred, air-brushed appearance.
A novelization of the film was written by Yvonne Navarro, with more back-story and character development. The novelization also differs from the film in a number of ways, including a much more ambiguous ending and the removal of some of the more improbable plot twists. (net sourced)
As the blurb on the back of the cover advises a fantastic futuristic spectacle that's loaded with big screen thrills, full bore action and mind blowing CGI, this combined with the fact that it was from the writer/director of Equlibrium (great film, Christian Bale awesome in it and based one of my lead characters in my trilogy on him, as he plays conflicted and tormented characters so well, so the offer is there if you are reading this)? Anyway sat down and pressed play.
Hmm what can you say? To be blunt, pretty disappointing, full bore action? Small bore more like. Mind blowing CGI? Dodgy crap CGI and shouldn't be allowed as the motorbike being chased up a skyscraper by helicopters looked very false, almost as bad as the dropship crash scene from Aliens, back in the 80s.
Now Equilibrium was a great movie and the director should have used lessons learned from that to make this even better but alas this seems a poor cousin. Milla has lots of funky cool outfits and hair colours that change all the time but that was about it really.
The hero of the film is Violet Song jat Shariff (Milla Jovovich), a young woman who was infected with hemophagia, in the process losing both her husband and her unborn child. Violet is now an emotionally dead killing machine, a member of an underground resistance movement of hemophages waging a guerilla war against the Arch-Ministry and its megalomaniacal, germaphobic leader, Vice-Cardinal Ferdinand Daxus (Nick Chinlund), who I must add played a creepy bad guy, the kind who listens to classical music whilst ordering the demise of someone.
Even Resident Evil was better than this, which is saying something and if you haven't seen The Fifth Element, then you should as it's a real visual treat, with lots to see in the background and Bruce Willis plays a real comedy role. Another good Milla film to watch is Joan of Arc.
This is just an eye candy film, looks good on the surface but by the end leaves you with bit of a sour taste. A very poor hash and if you had a choice, spend your cash on seeing Equilibrium as it just feels, looks and is a much better film.
Now the only good thing about the movie is some of the sci fi aspects, which had some novel and clever ideas I don't recall having been seen in a movie before? So to someone like me, who enjoys reading good sci fi and was brought up reading 2000AD, this was a little bonus.
Gun Kata
Milla Jovovich as Violet Song jat Shariff.main article: Gun Kata
Violet uses Gun Kata, a fictional martial art combining statistical analysis and gunplay, to fight many adversaries at the same time, even when vastly outnumbered. Kurt Wimmer also uses this style of fighting in his 2002 film Equilibrium.
In the movie only Hemophages use Gun Kata, this follows Wimmers interpretation of the technique; In Equlibrium the Grammaton Clerics train from childhood to utilize the art. As the events of UltraViolet only span a single generation as opposed to the decades-stable post-apocalyptic society of Libria, it is possible that Hemophage reflexes and stamina are necessary to perform Violet's version of the techniques.
While the scenes using Gun Kata are shorter than those in Equilibrium, critics have commented that the sequences appear more realistic and less mechanical than those used by Cleric John Preston. Other critics have taken issue with the editing, saying it damages the believability of the scenes.
Dimensional compression
See also Magic satchel.
Sometimes referred to as Flat-Space technology, dimensional compression is used to store objects in a pocket dimension. Simple objects are stored/retrieved and more complex ones systematically deconstructed/reconstructed in a flow of sparkling lights. A significant number of items can be stored for easy retrieval without burdening the user with either weight or size. The technology mainly takes the form of easily overlooked wristbands, although one-inch scabbards holding 42-inch swords are also seen. Handguns, knife-gun hybrids, and ammunition are also hidden in this manner (the bullets flying from the wristbands into the magazines on command).
The technology is also used to create habitable pocket dimensions, such as the briefcase/backpack used to transport the ten year old Six and the semi trailer with the internal dimensions of a warehouse (containing Garth's research lab and armory).
Dimensional compression is the basis of one of the light hearted scenes in the movie. A security scanner checks Violet, saying "Number of weapons found:", pauses shortly as Violet's weapons are displayed, and finishes "many".
During the final battle, Daxus pulls out a flamethrower and a sword from nowhere. This might be a result of editing, but judging by the size of Violet's pocket dimension, Daxus's ring might be one.
Gravity levelling
Gravity levellers are devices about the size of combination locks that redirect (rather than nullify or reduce) gravity, enabling a person to stand and manoeuvre on walls, or even ceilings. Violet uses her personal gravity leveller to ambush a squad of guards, firing on them from within a ceiling air vent. Her motorcycle is also equipped with one of these devices, enabling her to engage in a firefight with a helicopter gunship by driving up the side of a high-rise building.
Precisely how this technology functions is unknown. However, visual CGI scenes from the film seem to indicate that the internal systems of the device produce an extremely high density material that produces its own gravitational pull greater than that of Earth, thus redirecting the effective 'down' direction for the object it is installed in.
Printed phone
In the film a roadside machine prints Violet a phone. The paper device has the ability to produce holographic images when attached to an extra peripheral. This technology has a basis in reality. In the early 21st century inkjet printer companies such as Epson demonstrated their ability to create functional circuit boards with printer technology. [2]
General technology level of fictional universe?
There is some confusion as to how widespread these technologies are within Violet's world. The introductory comic on the official website refers to both Dimensional Compression and Gravity Levelling as Garth's personal inventions. However, investigators in the opening scene of the movie are surprised to find flat-space technology in the enemy's possession, and Six is transported in his own personal flat-space zone. Later, police forces are equally surprised by Violet's possession of a gravity leveller.
Perhaps the best compromise between these two sources of information is that Hemophage scientists belonging to the resistance developed these technologies with the help of their enhanced abilities, which were then confiscated during raids. However, the government had difficulty reverse-engineering the technology. Now that the extermination programme is nearly complete, most of these scientists are dead, therefore all of these technologies are extremely rare.
This is stated explicitly in a conversation between security personnel at the lab where Violet acquires Six.
“ Violet somersaults onto the ceiling and shoots a group of guards from above
"How did she do that?!"
"She must have some kind of gravity leveller!"
"Well, whatever it is, it's ours now! She's not going to make it out of this complex alive!"
An alternate possibility is that while the scientific basis for such devices has being established, practical devices that work outside a laboratory are still extremely rare, with Garth's devices being among the first practical examples.
Other technologies
In an early scene, Daxus is seen breaking a seal on, and then drinking, a hot drink from a self-heating mug. Self-heating products, both foods and drinks, have been available in the real world for some years now, most of them using an exothermic chemical reaction to heat their contents. (net sourced)
Now I just love all this kind of future tech and it's shame it wasn't used in a much better film
This is all good stuff but it's never explained in the movie and although I guessed at what some of it was due to sci fi exposure, I wasn't fully upto speed until I found the above details on the net.
Tomorrow night will be a review on the book Enigma and the movie of the same name, so until then.
Hal
Tonights post will be a review of the movie Ultraviolet, which I watched over the weekend, now this is a movie that I have wanted to see for a while as it stars Milla Jovovich (Fifth Element, Joan of Arc and Resident Evil) and is basically a futuristic vampire movie, so on all accounts it should have been good.
UltraViolet is a 2006 science fiction/action film. The film was written and directed by Kurt Wimmer and produced by Screen Gems. It stars Milla Jovovich as Violet and Cameron Bright as Six.
The film uses the basic premise of John Cassavetes's 1980 cult classic Gloria [1], about a woman and a young boy on the run from the mafia, and transposes the story to a dystopian futuristic setting where genetically enhanced mutants are fighting a guerilla war against a totalitarian government dictatorship. Many comparisons have been made between UltraViolet and Equilibrium, Wimmer's previous film.
The opening credits is a montage of comic book covers, indicating that the atmosphere of the film is heavily inspired by comic books and Japanese manga (although the film is not actually based on an existing comic book or manga). The impression of the movie as a live-action comic book or anime is further reinforced by the extensive use of bright-hue colors, as well as soft-focus on close-ups to give the faces of the characters a blurred, air-brushed appearance.
A novelization of the film was written by Yvonne Navarro, with more back-story and character development. The novelization also differs from the film in a number of ways, including a much more ambiguous ending and the removal of some of the more improbable plot twists. (net sourced)
As the blurb on the back of the cover advises a fantastic futuristic spectacle that's loaded with big screen thrills, full bore action and mind blowing CGI, this combined with the fact that it was from the writer/director of Equlibrium (great film, Christian Bale awesome in it and based one of my lead characters in my trilogy on him, as he plays conflicted and tormented characters so well, so the offer is there if you are reading this)? Anyway sat down and pressed play.
Hmm what can you say? To be blunt, pretty disappointing, full bore action? Small bore more like. Mind blowing CGI? Dodgy crap CGI and shouldn't be allowed as the motorbike being chased up a skyscraper by helicopters looked very false, almost as bad as the dropship crash scene from Aliens, back in the 80s.
Now Equilibrium was a great movie and the director should have used lessons learned from that to make this even better but alas this seems a poor cousin. Milla has lots of funky cool outfits and hair colours that change all the time but that was about it really.
The hero of the film is Violet Song jat Shariff (Milla Jovovich), a young woman who was infected with hemophagia, in the process losing both her husband and her unborn child. Violet is now an emotionally dead killing machine, a member of an underground resistance movement of hemophages waging a guerilla war against the Arch-Ministry and its megalomaniacal, germaphobic leader, Vice-Cardinal Ferdinand Daxus (Nick Chinlund), who I must add played a creepy bad guy, the kind who listens to classical music whilst ordering the demise of someone.
Even Resident Evil was better than this, which is saying something and if you haven't seen The Fifth Element, then you should as it's a real visual treat, with lots to see in the background and Bruce Willis plays a real comedy role. Another good Milla film to watch is Joan of Arc.
This is just an eye candy film, looks good on the surface but by the end leaves you with bit of a sour taste. A very poor hash and if you had a choice, spend your cash on seeing Equilibrium as it just feels, looks and is a much better film.
Now the only good thing about the movie is some of the sci fi aspects, which had some novel and clever ideas I don't recall having been seen in a movie before? So to someone like me, who enjoys reading good sci fi and was brought up reading 2000AD, this was a little bonus.
Gun Kata
Milla Jovovich as Violet Song jat Shariff.main article: Gun Kata
Violet uses Gun Kata, a fictional martial art combining statistical analysis and gunplay, to fight many adversaries at the same time, even when vastly outnumbered. Kurt Wimmer also uses this style of fighting in his 2002 film Equilibrium.
In the movie only Hemophages use Gun Kata, this follows Wimmers interpretation of the technique; In Equlibrium the Grammaton Clerics train from childhood to utilize the art. As the events of UltraViolet only span a single generation as opposed to the decades-stable post-apocalyptic society of Libria, it is possible that Hemophage reflexes and stamina are necessary to perform Violet's version of the techniques.
While the scenes using Gun Kata are shorter than those in Equilibrium, critics have commented that the sequences appear more realistic and less mechanical than those used by Cleric John Preston. Other critics have taken issue with the editing, saying it damages the believability of the scenes.
Dimensional compression
See also Magic satchel.
Sometimes referred to as Flat-Space technology, dimensional compression is used to store objects in a pocket dimension. Simple objects are stored/retrieved and more complex ones systematically deconstructed/reconstructed in a flow of sparkling lights. A significant number of items can be stored for easy retrieval without burdening the user with either weight or size. The technology mainly takes the form of easily overlooked wristbands, although one-inch scabbards holding 42-inch swords are also seen. Handguns, knife-gun hybrids, and ammunition are also hidden in this manner (the bullets flying from the wristbands into the magazines on command).
The technology is also used to create habitable pocket dimensions, such as the briefcase/backpack used to transport the ten year old Six and the semi trailer with the internal dimensions of a warehouse (containing Garth's research lab and armory).
Dimensional compression is the basis of one of the light hearted scenes in the movie. A security scanner checks Violet, saying "Number of weapons found:", pauses shortly as Violet's weapons are displayed, and finishes "many".
During the final battle, Daxus pulls out a flamethrower and a sword from nowhere. This might be a result of editing, but judging by the size of Violet's pocket dimension, Daxus's ring might be one.
Gravity levelling
Gravity levellers are devices about the size of combination locks that redirect (rather than nullify or reduce) gravity, enabling a person to stand and manoeuvre on walls, or even ceilings. Violet uses her personal gravity leveller to ambush a squad of guards, firing on them from within a ceiling air vent. Her motorcycle is also equipped with one of these devices, enabling her to engage in a firefight with a helicopter gunship by driving up the side of a high-rise building.
Precisely how this technology functions is unknown. However, visual CGI scenes from the film seem to indicate that the internal systems of the device produce an extremely high density material that produces its own gravitational pull greater than that of Earth, thus redirecting the effective 'down' direction for the object it is installed in.
Printed phone
In the film a roadside machine prints Violet a phone. The paper device has the ability to produce holographic images when attached to an extra peripheral. This technology has a basis in reality. In the early 21st century inkjet printer companies such as Epson demonstrated their ability to create functional circuit boards with printer technology. [2]
General technology level of fictional universe?
There is some confusion as to how widespread these technologies are within Violet's world. The introductory comic on the official website refers to both Dimensional Compression and Gravity Levelling as Garth's personal inventions. However, investigators in the opening scene of the movie are surprised to find flat-space technology in the enemy's possession, and Six is transported in his own personal flat-space zone. Later, police forces are equally surprised by Violet's possession of a gravity leveller.
Perhaps the best compromise between these two sources of information is that Hemophage scientists belonging to the resistance developed these technologies with the help of their enhanced abilities, which were then confiscated during raids. However, the government had difficulty reverse-engineering the technology. Now that the extermination programme is nearly complete, most of these scientists are dead, therefore all of these technologies are extremely rare.
This is stated explicitly in a conversation between security personnel at the lab where Violet acquires Six.
“ Violet somersaults onto the ceiling and shoots a group of guards from above
"How did she do that?!"
"She must have some kind of gravity leveller!"
"Well, whatever it is, it's ours now! She's not going to make it out of this complex alive!"
An alternate possibility is that while the scientific basis for such devices has being established, practical devices that work outside a laboratory are still extremely rare, with Garth's devices being among the first practical examples.
Other technologies
In an early scene, Daxus is seen breaking a seal on, and then drinking, a hot drink from a self-heating mug. Self-heating products, both foods and drinks, have been available in the real world for some years now, most of them using an exothermic chemical reaction to heat their contents. (net sourced)
Now I just love all this kind of future tech and it's shame it wasn't used in a much better film
This is all good stuff but it's never explained in the movie and although I guessed at what some of it was due to sci fi exposure, I wasn't fully upto speed until I found the above details on the net.
Tomorrow night will be a review on the book Enigma and the movie of the same name, so until then.
Hal
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