MovieChat Forums > Solaris (2002) Discussion > So Unbelievably Underrated....

So Unbelievably Underrated....

posted 15 years ago by snow_crash-3
105 replies | jump to latest

This is one of my favourite films, and it's really shocking to see such a good film be given a 6.2 while films like superbad get a 7.8, and Leon get's a 8.6. Firstly, Solaris isn't a remake of the Tarkovsky classic. But seeming as many people mistake it for a remake (and remakes always cop a lot of flak), they instantly call Solaris garbage. Secondly i think too many people just rate it low because it bears the name Steven Soderberg, whom many think of as being pretentious.
The sci-fi elements in Solaris feel really well done, as it's not fixated on giving you 'cool' technology like flying cars or super advanced computers. It reminded me of 2001 in the way that it almost verges onto Hard Sci-fi.
Solyaris (1972)(which is a also a great film in it's own right) was focused more on philosophical idea's and giving slightly surreal and vivde atmospheres. Solaris (2002) is instead focused on psychology and emotions of the characters and their relationship to the mesmerising planet.
I think this is what Soderberg set out to do and i think he did it perfectly. The characters were actually intersting and we got a chance to delve into their psychological patterns and behaviours. Yes it is fairly slow paced, but to those who say it's boring, go watch Bad Boys 2.
Solaris is a seriously underrated film.

[–] methylenedioxymeth-amphe 13 years ago

watch the original and you will then understand.

[–] ginnov 13 years ago

Did you read the OP? He said he had watched the original.

the cliffsss of insaniteeeeee!

[–] 13 years ago

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[–] bigBang8 12 years ago

the movie explains nothing, where did such brain *beep* planet even came from, how does it know its being observed lol? Some gas ball with a brain for a core? *beep*

I'd understand if it somehow messed with peoples minds and it was all just in the head, but how do it manifests something or someone for real. But it can also be all *beep* everyone sees the same thing cause it's all in the brain, morpheus from the matrix explains it simply as possible. What you can feel taste see touch is simply electrical impulses interpreted by our brain. So anything can be faked, and what you see is nothing more than an illusion. It's like mass psychosis, where more than one person sees the same non existent thing. The future can be either really nice and warm or *beep* up, depends on how do ppl use technology that messes with our nerve tissue ball in our skulls. Funny how ppl go nuts, is it so hard to just ignore something/someone? lame. Thats why this movie gets 5 from me.

[–] 12 years ago

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[–] rcwells86 12 years ago

Yea I understood all of that, but the movie itself was just plain boring. Maybe I wasn't the targeted audience however there are many romance movies I like and this one just fell way short and I expected better.

[–] Ithilfaen 12 years ago

Surprisingly I agree. I'm really not a Soderberg fan, which is why I waited some time to watch it and I was really pleasantly surprised. I think it's getting heat for the intense and ethereal complexity of the plot and of course it's being compared to Solyaris even though it's only an adaptation of the same novel and not a remake.

The acting is superb and the direction is really beautiful. It's not a perfect movie but it's definitely underrated.

For every lie I unlearn I learn something new - Ani Difranco

[–] LennyneroAU 12 years ago

The strength of this movie is the sound track. It elevates it greatly. One of the best examples of how much a great score can add. Without it, this would be an ordinary movie, but in combination it creates and etheral captivating atmosphere, and makes it special.

[–] rcwells86 12 years ago

Me and my father watched this movie back when it came out, and it is in the top 5 worst movies I have ever seen. The plot was just stupid, the movie had two actors in it and it was so boring we both started falling asleep so shut it off around 70% through it. Unbelievably over-rated really and the gross income speaks for itself thankfully.

[–] 12 years ago

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[–] Katje1313 12 years ago

"I'd also say 'gross income' is hardly ever an indicator of a good or bad film. "

Exactly! Just look at how The Shawshank Redemption did in theaters, while now it is in just about any top 10 of best films ever made.

[–] shullen81 11 years ago

I.M.H.O. I agree that this movie is probably the most underrated I have seen on the site (as well as being my personal favorite Clooney film).

[–] agusdwikarna 11 years ago

I saw the original first about 5 years ago perhaps, and I found it a bit... slow, especially that driving through the highway scene. I am a bit impatient and I want to watch a movie for its story, so that kind of scene really tempted me to push the forward button. But I prevailed :)

Later on, the story picked up and my waiting was rewarded. I like the ending too.

This remake suffers from the usual prejudice about remakes, which is not unjustified. But thankfully it came out great, I think. I really feel the Chris's pain, and also his wife's, and I kept wondering if the director was going to give a different ending than the original.

I give this remake 8 (and I did watch the original first).

[–] sette2903 11 years ago

This movie is on of the most incredibly moving movies I have seen in my life. I don't understand what's wrong with people. As soon as you push play, you can feel the heaviness, the sadness of this man who lost his wife. How could you not rejoice when he's reunited with a version of Rheya? Loss is such an human experience, I don't understand why people don't connect with this.

And death shall have no dominion..

In Solaris' world, this is absolutely true.

[–] minhal92 11 years ago

I agree, its awfully underrated its quite sad. Not sure about IMDb ratings sometimes because of discrepancies such as these, too many trolls and stupid people with accounts sadly.

[–] john-hitchcock 11 years ago

I'll agree. I've just managed to get a copy of the older movie, and I'll confess that it will be interesting to compare both versions, but when I saw this I did find that it was quite an impressive movie in it's own right. That was a couple years ago, I should probably see it again.

And when Jack Crow and Buffy Summers joined forces, Edward Cullen never knew what hit him.

[–] ommik 10 years ago

Yep, this is not a bad movie at all... and I think that it shouldn't be viewed as science fiction, nor as a remake of Tarkovsky's movie.

But anyway, I don't consider this movie anything special. It's a good tragic love story, but far from a classic.