Reviewed by Will

Synopsis: In the not to distant future humanity has obtained the ability to design the "uber-being" through the alteration of the human genome.

This is the story of Vincent Freeman,  a "God child" conceived naturally, without genetic engineering. As a result, he is a genetic outcast — an "InValid." His parents choose not to tamper with nature.

"Who hath the right to straighten what The Lord hath made crooked?"

It was decided their next child, Anton, would be born the "natural" way, the "valid" way.

Gattaca follows the life of Vincent Freeman (Ethan Hawke) — a boy who dreams of going to space, and refuses to accept his genetic destiny. Vincent learns at an early age the difference between him and his genetically superior brother Anton. He leaves home as an adolescent to pursue his dream of outer
space travel.

He discovers that the closest he can get as a genetically imperfect "Invalid" is a job as a janitor at Gattaca - the training and launch facility for manned space missions. After the harsh reality of his situation hits him he resorts to more drastic measures, enlisting the help of a mysterious man who sells desirable genetic identities.

He assumes the identity of Eugene Morrow (Jude Law), a crippled "Valid" with an impeccable genetic code.

With unwavering determination and the aid of Eugene 
Morrow's helix under his belt (he hides small amounts of blood in pads on his fingertips, so that he can pass through scanners) Vincent enters the world of the valids and quickly rises through the ranks.

Within a short period of time Vincent secures his position on the next mission to Titan. With his goals in sight it seems a sure thing that Vincent will see the fruition of his goals. He falls in love with Irene (played by the overly-Uber Uma Thurman).

But when there is a murder at Gattaca and the company is crawling with flatfoots nothing is for certain. If he is discovered to be an InValid, Vincent will be seen as the only possible culprit.

Will Vincent achieve his dreams of reaching the heavens?

This is by far one of my favorite Sci-Fi movies of all time, it is an
amazing vision of where our society could be headed. With all the recent discoveries science has made in the last few years in genetics it isn't too hard to believe that within our lifetime this could be reality!

Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman play their characters roles perfectly, it's easy to see Irene's blind faith in what science has made her believe to be the truth.

Jude Law's complex role as the crippled Eugene is very well done. He has as much screen presence as Hawke's Vincent, and the two compliment each other perfectly; the one man a crippled, supposedly infallible Valid, the other an InValid who is supposed to be a cripple, and can't be kept from his dream.

The movie is also filled with imagery that many may miss. At one point, the crippled Eugene must climb up a circular staircase without the use of his wheelchair. With each agonizing step, he's actually scaling up what looks like a huge DNA strand. He's climbing a double helix!

Little touches like this lift the movie out of the ordinary, and into the realm of real art. Compelling, incredible art.

Gattaca is truly a marvelous film. Go see it now!

Rating: 9.5 Trips to Titan

More reviews by Will please!

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Last updated: July 07, 2000.