Solaris | George Clooney, Natascha McElhone | A Fascinating Take on Lem's Sci-fi Classic

Solaris | George Clooney, Natascha McElhone | Great modern adaptation of Solaris

DVDs:

Solaris

	Solaris George Clooney, Natascha McElhone 20th Century Fox, 2003 average customer review:based on 331 reviews view larger image
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Superstar George Clooney turns in a stellar performance in this "brilliant sci-fi movie" (New York Daily News) from Academy Award winners Steven Soderbergh (2000 - Best Director, Traffic) and JamesCameron (1997 - Best Picture, Titanic). Aboard a lonely space station orbiting a mysterious planet, terrified crew members are experiencing a host of strange phenomena, including eerie visitors who seem all too human. And when psychologist Chris Kelvin (Clooney) arrives to investigate, he confronts a power beyond imagining that could hold the key to mankind's deepest dreams?or darkest nightmares. Co-starring Natascha McElhone and Jeremy Davies, Solaris is "mind-bending!" (Rolling Stone)

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A Fascinating Take on Lem's Sci-fi Classic

S. Soderbergh's Solaris can barely be called an adaptation of S. Lem's novel, nor can it accurately be called a remake of the 1972 Russian film. However, when viewed without prejudice it is a fantastic film stylistically, as well as in terms of story and character development.

Soderbergh ignores the technical and scientific aspects of Lem's novel and focuses on the human story instead. From the books limited material on the subject he extrapolates the tumultuous love story at the heart of his film. Unfortunately, that means that 'liquid metal' oceans of the novel are left out as well.

In this film the planet Solaris itself plays second fiddle to Clooney's space-faring psychologist, and the question of the planet's possible sentience is overshadowed by the question of what it actually means to be human. The material is still absorbing and adeptly handled, but this reflects Sodenbergh's philosophies, and not necessarily Lem's.

The film pays homage to Kubrick's 2001 by painstakingly recreating his style (some critics may prefer the term plagiarized) including the pervasive atmospheric soundtrack and long periods of silence. This film will not please Sci-Fi action seekers, nor will it please those looking for a faithful adaptation of Lem's text. I'm a huge fan of the book and Solaris is one of my favorite films, so it is possible to enjoy both in their own right.

DVD comes with making-of featurettes and can be played in both widescreen and fullscreen modes. Dolby Digital capable systems will reveal the full glory of the mesmerizing soundtrack.

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Great modern adaptation of Solaris

I find this modern adaptation of Solaris better that the Tarkovsky version from 1971.
The Tarkovsky movie is great but its age really shows - can you take seriously astronauts in leather jackets, looking like early-stage alcoholics, and smoking cigarettes on a space station (so theatrical and 70s intellectual hip, though ;).
This new adaptation is engaging, hypnotic, moody, and intimate. The soundtrack greatly contributes to the mood too.

reviews: page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

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