Primer - DVD Re-view
Primer
Staring: SHANE CARRUTH, and DAVID SULLIVAN.
Written, Cast, Produced, Directed, and Scored By: SHANE CARRUTH.
Primer, was released in 2004 and was instantly nominated for three, IFC INDEPENDENT SPIRIT AWARDS. Best Film, Best Director (SHANE CARRUTH), and Best Debut Performance, (DAVID SULLIVAN).
<THIS REVIEW CONTAINS OVERALL VERY MINOR SPOILERS>
(”First off, I want to say that if you like movies that make you think, and you find time travel somewhat entertaining, this is your next favorite film…”)
Primer, follows the lives of Abe (David) and Aaron (Shane). Both are white collar workers by day, garage inventor entrepreneurs by night. After splintering off from the other two members in the group (due to a conflict on what product to pursue), Abe and Aaron find a simple way to enhance a super conducting field at room tempature. As the first garage experiment concludes, they remove the protective cover from the device, and …………
As the story unfolds Abe figures out that the device (if properly regulated) can transport objects 12 hours into the future, and back. Unknown to Aaron, Abe has constructed two human size chambers. Abe then goes ahead (in time) to show Aaron that its safe and possible. At this point the two engineers realize that they can use the device to make a fortune on the lottery and in the futures markets. However they soon realize one big problem, when they travel ahead in time, the laws of time-causality create duplicate Abe and Aaron’s. This side effect leads the (original) Abe and Aaron, down dark alleys of greed and treachery.
I spent some time thinking about how to continue writing this review. If I explain the story (the way I see it) it will have a spoiler effect, as the movie is very clever and in some ways hard to grasp from the first viewing. The ending is one of those that reminds me of Artificial Intelligence or Twelve Monkeys in the way that some will get it, some will just be confused. So I’ve decided to conclude the overall story review here.
Personally I found this film to be incredible in its compelling story, its look and style. The science behind the story was understandable, and easy to believe. Primer is an amazing example of how great writing, and great independent thinking can produce an amazing motion picture, as the budget never exceeded $8.000 dollars.
Primer single disc DVD contains, the theatrical trailer, and two commentaries.
*Note: I’ve watched the film 4 times since Saturday also with both commentaries. Just (fyi), the commentaries cover the production and how the film was shot, they unfortunately contain very little on what’s really going on with the story. Enjoy!
The film sounds great 790! I am going to keep my eye out for a copy.
Damn… this guy (790) has a future in movie reviews somewhere. Compelling write up there bud. No sh*t… I mean it.
SOLD!
Good review, mostly because, in a story which is sensitive, keeping it spoiler free to those like me who is allergic to them, needs to have the full first expression experience.
So for that, thanks master 790!
This has been a movie I’ve been wondering about for a while. I’m very fascinated by time travel, mainly because I’ve had lectures and seminars on time travel at various universities. I’ve had some interesting feedbacks on my theories and since it’s still a very exotic field of study, most people have multiple ideas on how it’s possible and what it might do in reality. I just offered mine and it’s just another addition to an already growing volume of Sci Fi / Scientific examples of how time travel actually might work.
IN any event, good movies are in conflict with their own time travel theory, knowing it’s very much a dilemma posed on a reality that has no factual or historic foundation.
The ideas and questions raised in a good story about time travel often excuses the very mechanism of the how and why things work the way they do, allowing the fantastic to become apart of the films realism.
I look forward to buying this film, I’m going to look for it tomorrow.
Thanks 790 for the review!
PRIMER: TOO CLEVER BY HALF
790, Your review explained more about the movie in 2 minutes than the entire movie did. It left me groping in the dark, shivering in the cold, coughing in the dust, and wishing *I* could turn the clock back 89 minutes to watch TNG “Time Squared” or “Time’s Arrow.”
Maybe I’m just slow, but I don’t want to watch a movie 2-4 times to “get it.” Although, a well-done, unconventional movie (Memento, Sixth Sense) will get an immediate second viewing.
But if I do ever watch it again, I’ll need to print this out to lead me through the fog…and ask for your full story spoiler review.
Another awesome review 790! You are too good at this.
I saw this movie twice. The first time I think my brain over-heated trying to wrap my head around this thing. But I didn’t want to have to watch it again. I want to get it the first time. Unfortuneatly, I needed a second viewing and I’m still a little fuzzy. It was very very good. I like time travel as a basis for film. In fact, I might be one of the few guys who thought Guy Pearce was good in The Time Machine, and that overall it was a good movie. No Primer though, thats for sure!
Thanks guys!
Jon, yeah I loved “The Time Machine” with Guy Pearce it was a very moving film.
Its funny but in 99% of all time travel films the most memorable part is how it ends.
Get better soon my friend Jon (Deadpool)!!!!
I have never even heard of this movie. Where do you find these things?
I will add it to my list of movies to watch….or borrow. :o)
I picked up my copy from the bargain bin at a local video store. 790, he reviews some really great, lesser known films. Moviejoy, if you are interested in these types of films, may I suggest you read a couple of 790’s recent reviews? We are going to be trying to add more reviews like this, for films that have not been widely accepted, or went straight to DVD. Things like that. Stay tuned moviejoy!