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13th Floor

A review by Mike Shea   Movie Rating: ( * * * · · )    DVD Rating: ( * * * * * )

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This movie is going to be compared to the Matrix in almost every review you may read. It does share a lot of the same underlying philosophy but in all fairness, this movie isn't near as good as The Matrix. This plot has been done now in a bunch of movies and tv shows. We have heard it all before and while it sure is an interesting idea, I think we have all already had the conversations. Basically, what if everything we know is fake. What if we are being fed all of our lives from a plug in our head (Matrix) or the world is recreated every day (Dark City) or if we really are nothing more than a giant computer simulation ant farm (13th floor). The film is really not that bad. Some of the acting is overdone and there are a couple of idiot plot moments, but for the most part it is an enjoyable sci-fi mystery. I think we should go for a while (until Matrix 2 and 3) before we get into the artificial world plot line again, but I doubt the marketeers will be able to hold back. The DVD is quite good with a dark and shadowy 2.35 to 1 16x9 enhanced transfer and a Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack. There is also a directors commentary and some little extras. Overall not a bad movie, but in recent times we seem to forget that this plot has been in movies since Blade Runner. At least the Matrix had action and kung fu too.