by William McTell

Created on: February 25, 2007   Last Updated: May 09, 2007

A Scanner Darkly

What does a scanner see? Into the head? Into the heart? Adapted from the novel of the same name by Philip K. Dick it is bold, and visually dazzling. It is the story of Robert Arctor's (Keanu Reeves: Constantine, Bill and Ted's bogus journey) mission to find a higher source for the drug substance D' which is a highly addictive and damaging drug. To find this source he effectively abandons his normal existence for a career as a dealer/ user of the substance D' whilst dutifully reporting everything he sees from his double life to his superiors at a secret agency.

Reeves is in his element here and takes on the lead role extremely well, however he is upstaged by a brilliant performance from Robert Downey JR. (Good luck and Good night, Iron Man) who shows an unbelievably realistic affect of the drugs and also provides a brilliant twist as well as this Woody Harrelson (After the sunset, Kingpin) who gives a very good supporting role as a dulled down D' addict. But it really is Downey JR.'s schizophrenic and disturbing performance that deserves a rather large wholesome pat on the back. Winona Ryder (Dracula, Mr. Deeds) and Rory Cochrane (Right at your door, Flawless) provide supporting roles and twists, Cochrane especially adds a very sadistic and somewhat humorous niche to his movie bedpost.
Of course this film is completely animated but really at some points you would not notice so perfectly is it done, from looking at the DVD cover you will be forgiven for thinking that the cell shaded look seems a bit poor but get into the film outright and you will see the error of your thoughts, it adds an extra dimension to an already somewhat overly complicated film. There is no doubting it is brilliant and that Richard Linklater (School of Rock) has produced an animated masterpiece but, something is lacking: one can regularly get lost in the film and for some rather stupid people it may be hard to follow being that there are lots of twists and turns that take some skill to realise and pick up on.
A good cast, good adaptation and a good story (on Dick's part) make this a brilliant film, visually stunning and with a dark disturbing theme. The complications in plot only add to the wholesomeness of the film but can make it difficult to follow for some but it all comes together in the end.

Visually stunning, though the plot can be difficult.

7/ 10

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