Lucky 13

"The Thirteenth Floor"
Overall Rating: ***½


While similar movies coming out around the same time is nothing new (take "Dr. Strangelove" and "Fail-Safe," for instance), lately, we've been treated to a pair of big budget clones each summer. In 1996, two alien invasions landed with "Independence Day," and "The Arrival." In 1997, two volcanos erupted in "Dante's Peak" and "Volcano." Last year, we were bombarded with a comet in "Deep Impact" and an asteroid in "Armageddon." Coming early this year, we plug into a pair of virtual-reality films: "The Matrix"--which very nearly earned four stars--was the first. Though sharing the common virtual reality elements, "The Thirteenth Floor" still manages to be very different from "The Matrix;" it also manages to be almost as good as "The Matrix."

We know something is strange from the first scenes. Hannon Fuller (Armin Mueller-Stahl), apparently an important and wealthy man in 1930's Los Angeles, leaves a note for Douglas Hall with a bartender (Vincent D'Onofrio) at the luxury hotel where he's staying, then goes home--to a modest apartment over a store. We soon learn all is not as it appears, however, when Fuller wakes up inside a contemporary computer lab. Yet, things aren't even that simple, since after he leaves an answering machine message for Douglas Hall, he is stabbed. The next morning, we see Douglas Hall (Craig Bierko) find a bloody shirt in his apartment, then meet Jane Fuller (Gretchen Mol)--Hannon's daughter who seems to appear from nowhere.

Overall, the story is a strong point of "The Thirteenth Floor." The murder mystery will keep you guessing who killed Hannon. Though we see apparently condemning evidence in Douglas Hall's possession, we believe his story that he has no knowledge of the crime. The daughter's sudden appearance and the note in the computer simulation, result in an intriguing mystery--and both make perfect sense when explained.

The special effects, such as they are, are excellent. Mostly, these effects are limited to the sets in the simulation: it looks like an elaborate and apparently accurate--though perhaps somewhat nostalgic--simulation of the 1930s. There are a few true special effects that are impressive, but simply saying what they are would give away the end of the film.

The actors also handle themselves well. Craig Bierko is good early on when he claims to be innocent--and later on when things become more complicated. The best actor is probably Vincent D'Onofrio, who plays two very different characters in the programmer Whitney, and the bartender whose appearance is modeled on Whitney's--so he must be both charming and devious; he's convincing in both roles.

"The Thirteenth Floor," however, has some real problems. There are several things that are never explained. The laser light show coming from the virtual reality machine seems to be pure fluff. For some reason, the people using the simulation choose to enter the bodies of people with everyday occupations--store clerks, bartenders, etc.; why they don't simply choose millionaire playboys for their simulator personae is a mystery to me. The big hole is why the real killer chose his particular victims; it's implied strongly, but not completely explained. The film is also predictable in places. In one place, it works well: you can clearly see the big twist before Douglas figures it out--but you still wonder if he will get it. Unfortunately, the end becomes predictable, though the problem is not unforgivable since the event that gives it away establishes something else we need to know.

Another thing I don't understand is why the movie is rated "R." There are a few graphically depicted murders by various methods, but the violence is limited compared to, for instance, a typical James Bond film. Add in some bad language and sexually suggestive scenes (though no real sexual content or nudity), and it seems as if the filmmakers shot for PG-13, and the MPAA missed. It's not real family fare, but you'll see worse on TV.

If you've enjoyed "The Matrix" or "Star Wars: Episode 1"--or action sci-fi movies in general, then it's no mystery: "The Thirteenth Floor" is worth seeing.


Title:"The Thirteenth Floor"
Release date: May 28, 1999

MPAA rating: R
Overall rating: ***½

Aprox. run time: 100 min.
Director: Josef Rusnak
Writer: Josef Rusnak, Ravel Centeno-Rodriguez, Daniel F. Galouye (original novel Simulacron 3)
Stars: Craig Bierko, Gretchen Mol, Armin Mueller-Stahl, Vincent D'Onofrio, Dennis Haysbert (plays Detective Larry McBain)

Original URL: http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Mansion/7045/13Floor.htm

Added to blog site: 8/5/09