THX 1138
1971 Directed by George Lucas
Synopsis
Visit the future where love is the ultimate crime.
People in the future live in a totalitarian society. A technician named THX 1138 lives a mundane life between work and taking a controlled consumption of drugs that the government uses to make puppets out of people. As THX is without drugs for the first time he has feelings for a woman and they start a secret relationship. The first film from George Lucas.
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I'm a sucker for dystopias, and THX 1138 is a wonderfully realized, highly stylized portrayal of one. This is restrained Lucas at his best. Sparse, stark visuals coupled with maddeningly incessant radio chatter evoke a sterile, big-brother atmosphere where the androids are more human than most of the drugged civilians. The setting might be a sci-fi staple, but under Lucas' direction, it has its own voice.
The biggest flaw I found in the film was the absolute bore of a second act while THX and SEN are in 'White Limbo'. There are momentary sparks of plot progression, and I suppose it was necessary to further along the THX/SEN relationship, but good god, George, you could have given us something to…
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Thank you, George Lucas, for doctoring up your movie to the point of ruining its original effect (to some degree—certain changes in the 2004 version actually improve on the original). Because of your meddling, I had to view my old man's LaserDisc print, untainted and somewhat unloved.
One sequence that really impresses me, at least halfway through the story, is the awkward "conversation" between SEN and THX over their fate, be it organ harvesting or something as of yet unknown. The way that every individual in the room other than Duvall's character represents a facet of his personality gives off a surreal quality more horrific than anything else in the film. And, of all the little moments in THX 1138,…
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Having never actually seen any of Lucas' non-Star Wars films I was rather excited what this one had to offer and it comes to no surprise that while it doesn't live up to Star Wars it's still leagues above the atrocious prequel trilogy. THX 1138 takes place in a dystopian future, controlled by computers and stripped from any humanity. Like with stormtroopers there is heavy use of whites in the film's world, which dehumanizes the place and makes everything look sterile and “too” clean. It's an interesting stylistic device used to great effect and in combination with the odd, almost awkward way the people talk to each other creates a unique atmosphere. The constant threat of the mind-controlling machines, the…
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What a load of bollocks that was. Some decent bits I suppose, mostly towards the end of the film, but largely it was shite. I can appreciate people thinking that it's visionary, but that doesn't make up for the fact it's really, really boring. A lot of people said to me that this film was thought provoking, but the only thought I had was how deathly dull it was.
There were one or two comments it made which were quite interesting I guess, stuff about the economics of their world and such, but it's nothing really worth discussing.
The majority of the film is just so forgettable. I'm not one to normally dislike a film on the basis that there's not enough action in it; I can quite happily watch something like Solaris or 2001 Space Odyssey, but this was neither saying anything to me, nor entertaining me in any way.
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Like all George Lucas productions pre-toxic-egomania (American Graffiti, Star Wars IV, V and VI, Indiana Jones, Labyrinth), THX is a fantastically realized world, visualizing a time and place that is uniquely it's own and looks stunning in HD. The production values are through the roof for a debut. It mixes 2001-level future-strangeness with Philip K. Dick style sociopolitical themes and paranoia. A must-see for hard sci-fi fans. Like some of the best in the genre (2001, Blade Runner), you're experiencing a future-world where the technology is foreign enough to keep you questioning, but it merely exists without explaining itself to the audience.
Fascinating this same mind forced Jar Jar Binks and similar horrific imagery on our psyche 30 years later.
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In his full feature film debut, we can see that George Lucas is a man of many talents. Let's just say that here, he displayed the authentic capabilities of creating imaginative world or universe much different from ours. His genius mind took us on an adventure to another space the way he takes us to the amazing world of his future Star Wars. The way I see it, even though this film was shot as early as 1971, I was lucky enough to have the digitally-restored DVD. My first impression was the idea behind this film is quite phenomenal for that era, with its good sets and sufficient effects. I also admit that the film wasn't set at its required…
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Sometimes brilliant first effort from George Lucas. Dystopian vision married to Orwell. Outstanding visuals.
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May not be my favorite film, but THX 1138 has one of my all time favorite cover arts.
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i liked it more than the star wars prequels.
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Having never actually seen any of Lucas' non-Star Wars films I was rather excited what this one had to offer and it comes to no surprise that while it doesn't live up to Star Wars it's still leagues above the atrocious prequel trilogy. THX 1138 takes place in a dystopian future, controlled by computers and stripped from any humanity. Like with stormtroopers there is heavy use of whites in the film's world, which dehumanizes the place and makes everything look sterile and “too” clean. It's an interesting stylistic device used to great effect and in combination with the odd, almost awkward way the people talk to each other creates a unique atmosphere. The constant threat of the mind-controlling machines, the…
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A highly enjoyable sci-fi film but poor pacing in the first two acts kills it for me. The visuals, acting, and direction are all great and equal to a powerful final thirty minutes that makes your heart race. If the first two acts were as good as the third, this movie would be a masterpiece. But oh well. THX-1138 is an impressive start to Lucas' illustrious career.
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Interesting premise but the protagonist doesn't make you like him. A bit too long with a person you're not supporting too much.
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It's No “Star Wars,” But Not Bad…
It’s no “Star Wars” and that’s not a bad thing. But, is “THX 1138” a good thing? I think so, especially for 1971, and especially so for a first feature dive into science fiction. Is it as good as Lucas’ second direction, “American Graffiti?” Well, now you’re talking preference in genre and style because the two are completely unrelated, unless you’re talking about fast cars and characters breaking the confines of repressed living. One just happens to be a dystopian future and the other, 1960s high school.
Being that I’ve had more time with “American Graffiti,” and it sits special in my heart due to the time I saw it, I’m more attached…
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I'm a sucker for dystopias, and THX 1138 is a wonderfully realized, highly stylized portrayal of one. This is restrained Lucas at his best. Sparse, stark visuals coupled with maddeningly incessant radio chatter evoke a sterile, big-brother atmosphere where the androids are more human than most of the drugged civilians. The setting might be a sci-fi staple, but under Lucas' direction, it has its own voice.
The biggest flaw I found in the film was the absolute bore of a second act while THX and SEN are in 'White Limbo'. There are momentary sparks of plot progression, and I suppose it was necessary to further along the THX/SEN relationship, but good god, George, you could have given us something to…