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I have always been fond of S. Lem's prose. He is a kind of S.F. writer that doesn't focus too much on technology nor just mere adventures, but rather on human personality and how does it interact with the world. I remember I have read the book "Solaris", though it was quite a time ago and I can't exactly say how much the movie is faithful to the book. Nevertheless it has the Lem's spirit - that is focuses rather on human personality than on technology, which really looks as a nice background in this movie. So if you expect to see just great F/X you may be disappointed, but if you want to see something that would make you think - it may be worth seeing. Pros: A very interesting concept in general, but it's not so much about the movie - it's rather about Lem. Nice setting - not overloaded with future technology that is impossible to exist. It doesn't look like a fairy tale... Cons: It doesn't look like a fairy tale... (kids shouldn't watch it) It looks so real and close to our world, that it may make you think. And this is sometimes painful.Read full review
I wrote the following for the Criterion (Russian) version - thought it may be useful for someone considering this version also: "Conceptually, this is very original stuff. I first viewed the "Clooney" version of SOLARIS & really liked it, so borrowed Lem's English-translation book from the library & read that. Quite a difference between the two, but the basic core concept was almost achieved in the Clooney version, plus it's very stylish and the acting is frankly, superb - his finest, I think. Clooney and Natascha McElhone - can't take your eyes off them! That then made me want to see Criterion's classic Tarkovsky version, which is considerably closer in structure and content to Lem's book. However, Tarkovsky IS VERY SLOW to develop the story, and the main character - Kelvin (Donatas Banionis) - is devoid of virtually all emotion or expression from beginning to end. Maybe the spoken Russian takes something away here, but I do mean DEVOID. The sets are very dated (obviously) & low budget, but viewing it one-time satisfied my desire (as did one-reading of the book), but I will view Clooney's version again and again. Criterion's SOLARIS is a worthy view, but only the dedicated may want it for their collection. The book is a definite read and the Clooney DVD is a keeper!" PS - the score (music) is PERFECT! Haunting & mysterious.Read full review
Solaris, an alien planet or perhaps and alien existance can show us things that we hide even from ourselves. As other reviewers have stated, this film is one that raises many questions for the open minded and those who seek knowledge of the 'beyond'. As George Cloony's characters states, 'our existance is merely a mathematical probability'...So therefore, one concludes that the existance of a place such as Solaris is also a mathematical probability...What would you confront if in that situation? This film also stars George Cloony in what I would consider his best role to date. Never over acted and not playing a rediculously over-confident character. Instead he portrays a man grounded and real, with great conviction and emotion. A very convincing role where Cloony becomes the character of the story instead of a super star playing a role. A truly thought provoking film with an awesome musical score and breathtaking filmography of Solaris akin to scenes of the space station in 2001. I'd recommend for fans of Assimov and H.P. Lovecraft. It is like no other sci-fi you will have seen and tells one of the greatest love stories caught on film of how love can break through the boundries of time and space. I'll leave you with a quote that, for me, summerises the protagonists theme in this film. "We loved with a love that was more than love" - Edgar Allen PoeRead full review
This is an excellent story, and it reminds one of "2001 Space Odyssey" in it's reach and scope. The plot revolves around possible contact with intelligent life in the void of outer space. The most interesting concepts are those that revolve around human interaction, as it is the cornerstone of the movie. It makes one examine the differences between events and how they're remembered. Superior acting and direction make this a keeper.
This is a rare example of a movie remake that is very good. Some may say that it's even better than the 1972 russian original, but I wouldn't go that far. The truth is that Steven Soderberg's Solaris it's not a remake, technically speaking, since it claims to be based on the original source (Stanislav Lem's book), as the 1972 movie was. The results are somehow different. The russian movie is slower, more philosophical, with deeper considerations about the human spirit, and what we are. The 2003 movie is more focused in less aspects, but still delivers an intelligent story that honors not only the book, but the original movie too. Somehow, it has made some aspects of the book and the russian movie more accessible, without turning them into flat depictions. Having said that, I must add that this is not a movie for everyone. Science fiction, (clever science fiction, that is) hasn't been an acceptable genre as others. This version is said to be a "love story" (in the words of the director himself) but is far from being a typical one. The best description that I found when I recomended this movie to a friend was "it's a love story in the style of 2001, A Space Odyssey". I still think it's true. So you better have an open frame of mind, and be wide awake, when seeing this movie, and you will be rewarded. If you like this version, maybe you can watch the russian version afterwards for comparison. Overall, that will be a very rich experience, and you will have a lot to think about, after the double Solaris program.Read full review
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