13 October 2000
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas is based upon the book by the same name by Hunter S. Thompson. The story involves two drug addicts played by Johnny Depp and Benicio Del Toro, they take a road trip to the eccentric and queer town of Las Vegas in the early 1970s. How will they cope in civilised areas, they are constantly under the use of a particular substance that separates them from reality? A question that seems entrancing but actually isn't.
The director (Terry Gilliam) displays a bold and sleazily energetic picture, the extravagant characters are constantly digging up their own grave. They consume a multitude of narcotics and they firmly invite the viewer to the psychedelic trips they experience. The film is visually creative, the imagery can be so bizarre and uncomprehendingly strange. Las Vegas is such a sensational, lively and dynamic town for our two greedy addicts, they can sink their teeth into the opulence and acquisitiveness that Nevada's heart holds onto so dearly and with such passion.
Repetitiveness, a thought that was stuck in my head after the 40 minute mark. The movie's look is thrilling and captivating but such effectiveness could only last for about half an hour. This movie would work better as a short film than one with a feature length runtime that only seems to have one sole purpose, damage it. It is an incessant whirlwind of rehashed material being re-introduced on what feels to be a limitless basis. It gets tiresome very quickly, discovering the adventures these characters go on almost feels like a chore. I ultimately became bored and uninterested in the aftermath of a bumpy and treacherous journey.
Johnny Depp delivers a memorable performance, his personality can be comedic at times. Benicio Del Toro is without a doubt a lot more dull and uninspiring compared to Depp's persona that he acquires just so well. Toro's role has no charm involved in it, he is just a hopeless drug addict. Depp's character has a lot of soul and enthusiasm, he shines on the screen and that's all due to his bipolarism. The ending is tasteless and insignificant and makes you think that the entire road trip was a complete waste of time for the characters and for the viewer.
I don't recommend Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas because it leaves behind a scent of indecisiveness. The film making and imagery is exciting and poignant but the main plot wears down rapidly and becomes repetitive. The conclusion of a faithless and violent journey into the bowels of psychedelics amounts to an aimless ending. Our characters learnt absolutely nothing and they will keep on ruining their health and risking their lives until death gets a hold of them.
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas is based upon the book by the same name by Hunter S. Thompson. The story involves two drug addicts played by Johnny Depp and Benicio Del Toro, they take a road trip to the eccentric and queer town of Las Vegas in the early 1970s. How will they cope in civilised areas, they are constantly under the use of a particular substance that separates them from reality? A question that seems entrancing but actually isn't.
The director (Terry Gilliam) displays a bold and sleazily energetic picture, the extravagant characters are constantly digging up their own grave. They consume a multitude of narcotics and they firmly invite the viewer to the psychedelic trips they experience. The film is visually creative, the imagery can be so bizarre and uncomprehendingly strange. Las Vegas is such a sensational, lively and dynamic town for our two greedy addicts, they can sink their teeth into the opulence and acquisitiveness that Nevada's heart holds onto so dearly and with such passion.
Repetitiveness, a thought that was stuck in my head after the 40 minute mark. The movie's look is thrilling and captivating but such effectiveness could only last for about half an hour. This movie would work better as a short film than one with a feature length runtime that only seems to have one sole purpose, damage it. It is an incessant whirlwind of rehashed material being re-introduced on what feels to be a limitless basis. It gets tiresome very quickly, discovering the adventures these characters go on almost feels like a chore. I ultimately became bored and uninterested in the aftermath of a bumpy and treacherous journey.
Johnny Depp delivers a memorable performance, his personality can be comedic at times. Benicio Del Toro is without a doubt a lot more dull and uninspiring compared to Depp's persona that he acquires just so well. Toro's role has no charm involved in it, he is just a hopeless drug addict. Depp's character has a lot of soul and enthusiasm, he shines on the screen and that's all due to his bipolarism. The ending is tasteless and insignificant and makes you think that the entire road trip was a complete waste of time for the characters and for the viewer.
I don't recommend Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas because it leaves behind a scent of indecisiveness. The film making and imagery is exciting and poignant but the main plot wears down rapidly and becomes repetitive. The conclusion of a faithless and violent journey into the bowels of psychedelics amounts to an aimless ending. Our characters learnt absolutely nothing and they will keep on ruining their health and risking their lives until death gets a hold of them.
