The Cell [Region 2] | ![The Cell [Region 2]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51TMVEF4P2L._SL500_.jpg) | Director: Tarsem Singh
Actors: Jennifer Lopez, Vince Vaughn, Vincent D'Onofrio, Jake Weber, Dylan Baker
Category: DVD
Buy Used: $21.97
as of 2/10/2010 10:13 EST details
Used (3) from $21.97
Seller: ZoverstocksUSA
Rating:  376 reviews
Sales Rank: 250784
Format: PAL
Languages: German (Original Language), English (Original Language), German (Subtitled)
Rating: R (Restricted)
Region: 2
Aspect Ratio: 1.77:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
MPN: 500218
EAN: 4006680024394
ASIN: B00005LWKY
Theatrical Release Date: August 18, 2000
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Amazon.com
Schizoid serial killer Carl Stargher (Vincent D'Onofrio) has been captured at last, but a neurological seizure has rendered him comatose, and FBI agent Peter Novak (Vince Vaughan) has no way to determine the location of Stargher's latest and still-living victim. To probe the secrets contained in Stargher's traumatized psyche, the FBI recruits psychologist Catherine Deane (Jennifer Lopez), who has mastered a new technology that allows her to enter the mind of another person. What she finds in Stargher's head is a theater of the grotesque, which, as envisioned by first-time director Tarsem Singh, is a smorgasbord of the surreal that borrows liberally from the Brothers Quay, Czech animator Jan Svankmajer, Hieronymous Bosch, Salvador Dali, and a surplus of other cannibalized sources. This provides one of the wildest, weirdest visual feasts ever committed to film, and The Cell earns a place among such movie mind-trips as 2001: A Space Odyssey, Altered States, What Dreams May Come, and Un Chien Andalou. Is this a good thing? Sure, if all you want is freakazoid eye-candy. If you're looking for emotional depth, substantial plot, and artistic coherence, The Cell is sure to disappoint. The pop-psychology pablum of Mark Protosevich's screenplay would be laughable if it weren't given such somber significance, and Singh's exploitative use of sadomasochistic imagery is repugnant (this movie makes Seven look tame), so you're better off marveling at the nightmare visions that are realized with astonishing potency. The Cell is too shallow to stay in your head for long, but while it's there, it's one hell of a show. --Jeff Shannon
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Showing reviews 1-5 of 376
 The Cell January 3, 2010
Arnita D. Brown (USA)
A female scientist must travel into the mind of a serial killer in a coma to discover the whereabouts of the girl he kidnapped prior to his recent condition. A movie that is so visually amazing that you sat in your seat, paralyzed by its beauty.
Epic, Artistic, Beuatiful and Disturbing November 7, 2009
Ben
This movie is great, and even greater on blu-ray! It is full of many amazing scenes that are both disturbing and artistically beautiful at the same time. I'm not even a J-Lo fan but she is great in this film, and Vincent D'Onofrio plays an excellent psychopathic serial killer. I will say though, that this movie is not for everyone. If you were to actually travel through the mind of a psycho it would probably be something like this. Some scenes are just plain twisted. If you like this film you should also check out "The Fall", also directed by Tarsem Singh.
Visually brilliant, but terrible script, muddled plot, and riddled with cliches July 16, 2009
Mike (NYC)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I think the amazon editorial review is spot on.
Here's the thing - visually the "dream sequences" (I know technically they're in a coma) are some of the most interesting technical things I've seen on film. It's in the ballpark of Metropolis, and many German films of the silent era. Of color films, Bram Stoker's Dracula (Coppola), What Dreams May Come, several of Tim Burton's big budget films (e.g. Batman Returns) and Natural Born Killers are really the only other color films in the same visual ballpark. I honestly have not the slightest clue how some of the special effects were done. It's obvious many of them aren't CG either. I'm assuming camera.
Unfortunately, while the visuals are nothing short of astounding, the plot is cliche serial killer stuff. It seems like they made the dream sequences and then just decided to do some perfunctory bookending. Because of this, the movie is extremely highly recommended for film students. People interested in dream interpretation might get a kick out of it, too. Everyone else can safely avoid this.
The movie as a whole is boring and to be frank, not very interesting to watch. The characters have no defining characteristics and are the cliche psychologist, cliche detective (complete with chainsmoking, sleeping in the office, etc) and cliche serial killer (who was abused). There is no character development despite two instances where it should have been obvious there could have been some. The plot is muddled and confusing and riddled with Dickensian deus ex machina (the serial killer character has a rare form of schizophrenia, the doctor at a hospital knows about a top secret dream machine, the killer uses a torture machine that works too conveniently for the plot). Also, there's no closure at the end of the movie. There's zero chemistry between Vince Vaughn and J-Lo, too which is a missed opportunity.
If you're really interested in dreams and psychology or just a good movie with them, I'd recommend watching Paprika instead. Similar movie, but vastly better. Or if you want a surreal mystery thriller, rent Blue Velvet.
The Cell May 14, 2009
Barry L. Richards (Tell City, In. USA)
This is a great film. And it should have took notice when Oscar time came around... It is the story of meetings of minds. only with horror added.One of my favorite movies. That will haunt you mind for some time. By the way part two sucks so dont bother.. A big five stars for this one...
The fantasy sequences are worth the price of purchase "...It's not real! It's not real!" May 11, 2009
A Hermit (Southwest Pa.)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
"The Cell" is a two-fold story; part crime drama and part surreal art film. It tells of a truly twisted murderous piece of work with a growing body count. This is a VERY sick man, physically and mentally. Different from most "Whodunnits," the police catch the criminal fairly early into the story, but he has lapsed into a catatonic state just prior to being taken into custody. There is a victim still missing; she's alive, but sure to die if not found. It becomes a race against time.
Credibility is stretched to the breaking point during the story, as an investigative, experimental method is used to enter someone's mind, and probe their innermost fantasies. Such technology isn't in effect, not yet, anyway, but once you accept this as part of the story, it becomes an incredible viewing experience. The visuals and accompanying soundtrack are among the most vivid and imaginative to date. Filmed almost a decade ago (at this writing), it doesn't look dated in the least, except that it is better than a lot of films that followed it. In the decade that ensued, less and less really good ones have come out. You can discount the story if you like, the cast, and so on, but indisputable, is the film's sensory impact. Despite the ugliness it has in spots, and some terrifying imagery, it has a breathtaking beauty to it. The director set the sky as the limit, and even then, the sky was no limit.
Synchronicity is a major part in the film's last reel, as the surviving victim is found, and the killer's dark side is finally put to rest at the exact same time; water being part of the plight of the abducted victim, and the purging of the schizophrenic's personal demons as well.
Bottom line: "The Cell" is an extreme roller coaster ride for the senses. Watch in a darkened room, when you know you won't be interrupted.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 376
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