Jeanskynebu the audience applauded

Micitype Pretty Good

Nessieldwi Very interesting film. Was caught on the premise when seeing the trailer but unsure as to what the outcome would be for the showing. As it turns out, it was a very good film.

Casey Duggan It’s sentimental, ridiculously long and only occasionally funny

brchthethird I'm actually at a little bit of a loss what to say right now because I'm almost overwhelmed by what I just saw. I'd liken it to a drug experience if only I'd ever taken drugs before, but the degree to which watching this film simulates what its characters go through is astounding. The story is rather simple: a scientist, Eddie Jessup (William Hurt, in his feature film debut) has been doing sensory deprivation experiments, but after a trip to Mexico, he starts doing those experiments under the influence of a powerful psychedelic drug which might possibly be affecting his genetic makeup. Plot-wise, it's not too complicated as it just follows Eddie's personal journey and evolution over the course of these life-altering experiments. Every actor was very capable and William Hurt was especially good considering this was his first role. However, the real magic of the film is in its many hallucinatory images which range from the sacrilegious to the primal. Even if you haven't seen the film, you might already be familiar with the image of a six-eyed, goat-headed man on a cross. Early on, Eddie mentions that he had visions as a young man that were out of Revelation and this imagery is kind of a perversion of that. However, the imagery that occurs later on in the film is extremely hard to describe and honestly it's best if you just see it for yourself. There are some interesting observations/connections made between religious and psychedelic experiences, and also mental disorders, however the true power of this film is in its images, which were realized with some incredible visual effects. I don't think this film will be to everyone's taste, certainly not those who are religious and might be offended by some of the imagery, but for those brave enough to give it a try it's an experience you won't soon forget.

LeonLouisRicci Those who have had the Psychedelic Experience know that it is an Impossibility to Verbalize and almost as much of an Impossibility to Create a Visualization. This is the Inherent Ineptitude of all Movies about "The Trip". But Director Ken Russell was never one to shy away from the Impossible. He Revels in Prickly Scenarios and Blasphemy (especially Religious). But any Blasphemy will do because it is Provocative.In this Film the concept of finding "The Truth" through the use of Sensory Deprivation Tanks and a Dose of Magic Mushrooms is nothing really more Deep for Russell or the Audience then some sort of Entertaining Experimentation. Audiences hardly ever have a Good Time at a Ken Russell Film, but here there is more to have Fun with than most.There is an Extraordinary amount of Crackling Imagery and Scintillating Sound all Wrapped around an Academic Rap. None of it means much and is there as sort of Guide Rails to hold on too while the Movie takes its Roller Coaster Ride into the Subconscious by way of Genetic Imprints, and then Deconstructs the Primal Scream of the Birth of Man.This is only Deep if you let it and most likely that was not the intent of the Director. More so the Author, Paddy Chayefsky who ran Fast and Far from this Filmed Version of His Novel. As Entertainment it is Atypical, Bizarre, Colorful, Vibrant Fun.

AaronCapenBanner William Hurt plays Harvard professor Eddie Jessup, who becomes obsessed with his anthropological studies that lead him into hallucinogenic drugs, with which he hopes to expand his mind. When this proves limiting, he then uses his school's isolation chamber to remove all external sensory input, and instead use these drugs to explore his mind, which has the inadvertent effect of regressing him physically into a primitive human state.Though ambitious, and contains a fine performance by William hurt, film is damaged by having a mostly unappealing lead character, and an increasingly far-fetched story, that ultimately tries to emulate "2001:A Space Odyssey", but falls far short of that masterpiece.Well-intentioned, but a misfire.

Al_The_Strange This film basically plays out like one extended science experiment. As such, it looks pretty dry and "boring" at first glance, but the actual subject of the experiment is something of fascination that prompts further study. Altered States presents the idea that powerful drugs can create a conduit for a person to touch the inner self (and possibly touching God at the same time), allowing one access to six billion years of genetic memories stored in the human body. As the main character continuously dabbles with the forbidden fruit of mind-altering substances, he comes closer and closer to inhabiting the body of the world's first primordial human being, complete with raw primal instincts and unbridled physical power.The concept is really high-level stuff, provoking lots of introspect into the human spirit, human evolution, and humanity's relationship with spirituality and religion. Above all, the film is most memorable for being visually insane. There are several sequences where the film bombards you with rapid-fire freak-out imagery. I've yet to see any other film where the screen flashes weird goat heads, bloody knives, hellish scenes of crucifixions and boiling hot magma, giant snakes, sex, the universe, and lord knows what else all at once. Scenes like this make the film very pungent, and it stands out as one of the trippiest experiences on film.In between the occasional freak-outs, the film slows down quite a bit. The film goes on to follow these scientist characters, who form some profound relationships and rivalries, but most of these scenes come off as rather plain and dry, especially when compared to the film's most vivid imagery. I couldn't tell you if such contrast is intentional or not. Regardless, it is an intriguing story with a cast of halfway decent characters.The film has its share of extremely hard-hitting imagery and extremely plain photography. Editing can be pretty erratic during the freak-out scenes, but for intentional effect; the film is very successful at beating its trippiness over your head. Acting is decent: William Hurt is especially noteworthy. Writing is quite sophisticated, but could potentially go over some viewers' heads. This production has okay-looking sets, props, and costumes, and the special effects are impressive for its time. Music is alright.Overall, this is a movie for the left side of the brain. If that interests you, then the film is certainly recommended. Otherwise, you might still want to see it for some of the trippiest (and possibly scariest) images ever committed to celluloid.4/5 (Entertainment: Average | Story: Very Good | Film: Good)