SnoReptilePlenty Memorable, crazy movie

Kailansorac Clever, believable, and super fun to watch. It totally has replay value.

StyleSk8r At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

ActuallyGlimmer The best films of this genre always show a path and provide a takeaway for being a better person.

Roland von Ciel It is indeed may not be a film for everyone, and does require a certain acquired taste when it comes to enjoying even small budget flicks. So don't go in expecting a blockbuster. In fact, I think even as far as low budgets go this one might be in its own category. i think the crew may actually had to pay to be in it.. Luckily that is where the list of negatives end, because as far as the acting and the plot are concerned, they're top notch. OK, so Michael Rappaport is not considered an "A" list actor ,but in this he definitely delivers one of his best performances to date. i thought this was one of the funniest movies i rented without knowing anything about it prior. (I don't think they actually spent a dime on advertising since i ve never heard of it before. ) I 'd hate to put spoilers in the review so i wont, because if you like low budget flicks, you really need to see it for yourself! Again, as long as you don't mind low tech sci fi! I think the only CGI might be during the opening credits...ps: I did give it a 9 for the acting and the originality.

kjonesdp It took me quite a while to get past the cinematography. I could find no reason why the entire film was shot hand-held. It brought nothing to the story and was extremely distracting until I got past it and and started appreciating the acting and story. All DP's and directors should know when to put the camera on sticks and trust the actors to bring motion and emotion to the frame. The music was another stumbling bock for me. Extremely obvious and over the top choices were made throughout - and what's truly unfortunate is that I recognized a number of loops that were used in creating the score. Not a good sign. Having said all of this - I still laud the writers and directors for their effort and the actors for their work as well.

Dag Nabbit The idea of 'drug reaction causes man to think he has superpowers' definitely has potential, but this film didn't fulfill it. Aside from bad acting by everyone but Michael Rapaport (and who knows how he would have done if he'd been forced off his one note), there was questionable characterization (is the Simpson's Comic Book Guy really a believable model for a store proprietor?) and unbelievable situations (none of his friends called 911? Not even when he was injured, obviously delusion and locked in a store bathroom overnight? No police officer recognized him in all the time he wandered around in that singular getup?). Further the 'rich, evil corporation owner' plot is due for a rest.Switching the viewer in and out of Rapaport's character's point-of-view was an effective way to heighten tension, though: even with our knowledge of 'what was really happening' it was difficult not to view things from Les's perspective.

BuffaloWilder I'd heard about "Special" for a couple of months before I'd seen it. Being a comic book geek, I had to check it out. Believe the hype, hey.It's certainly a dark film, sometimes moving and other times extremely funny ("Okay. Watch this-" SLAM!). The main character certainly takes his beatings, both physically and mentally; by the end of the film he's covered in a mass of black and blue bruises. By the time the film fades to the credits, he can barely walk. The film doesn't mince around the fact that the main character is delusional on account of the drugs he's given, and that only makes it more harrowing. As the film progresses, you're really not sure what's real and what's a hallucination, what was said and what wasn't. It's a downward spiral, and the film, while lightly optimistic, is very bleak.Michael Rappaport's always good, and he shines here as Les, particularly near the end in the 'bathroom' scenes and a moving scene that I won't spoil for any of the readers, but it comes unexpectedly. Really, the entire cast gives a remarkable performance, though. I swear, I'm seeing that kid from "Mean Creek" in more and more stuff; he's getting to be a great actor.Watching the film over again, you can really pick up on certain little things in the beginning; like the scene in the comic shop, Les' 'big reveal' to his two buddies. Look at his nose after he jumps back through the wall. Just various things like that are sprinkled everywhere throughout the film,This is a great film; if you can't buy it, download it. But watch it.