Johnny Mnemonic (1995)
In a dystopian 2021, Johnny is a data trafficker who has an implant that allows him to securely store data too sensitive for regular computer networks. On one delivery run, he accepts a package that not only exceeds the implant's safety limits—and will kill him if the data is not removed in time—but also contains information far more important and valuable than he had ever imagined. On a race against time, he must avoid the assassins sent to kill him and remove the data before it, too, ends his life.
- Robert Longo
- William Gibson
- William Gibson
Rating: 5.8/10 by 1351 users
Alternative Title:
非常仼務 - HK
Johnny Mnémonique - CA
Johnny Mnemonic O Cyborg Do Futuro - BR
Country:
Canada
United States of America
Language:
English
日本語
Runtime: 01 hour 37 minutes
Budget: $25,000,000
Revenue: $19,075,720
Plot Keyword: virtual reality, dystopia, pharmaceutical industry, computer chip, courier, cyber, cyberpunk, cyberspace, based on short story
Decent watch, probably won't watch again, and can't recommend past a Bad Movie Night. What a trip in the way back machine to see the inspiration for "The Matrix", maybe more of an homage to "Lawnmover Man", but very clearly they didn't have the capability to what they actually wanted to do with the movie. The best things are clearly Dina Meyer ("Starship Troopers": Dizzy) and the "Hot Garotte" lazer whip thing, why haven't more movies used that? Clearly Keanu Reeves did his best to try to hold this thing together, but the writing isn't that great, despite have a pretty good story and world to it. It's really dated, but it's good enough I would actually like to see a reboot of this. There isn't a lot to say: the production and execution fell short and it's just not worth going back to watch this one.
Perhaps back in 1995 the year 2021 did seem like it was an aeon away, but now that we are all actually here, this film really does struggle to resonate on just about every level. Keanu Reeves is a good looking star, but that's about the height of it. The scenario is nothing new - mankind is dependent on technology and about to be subject to a criminally backed corporation's attempts to dominate us. This time, it falls to our hero and his semi-luddite pals to access a micro-chip embedded in his brain to save humanity from oblivion. It's quickly paced, to be fair, and the star does an adequate job trying to keep one step ahead of his deadly, if not terribly effective, Yakuza pursuers but the dialogue is flat (and not terribly audible) and the supporting cast - drawn from a collection of B-listers, musicians and featuring the discobolus-like Dolph Lundgren as baddie-in-chief just follows a join the dots pattern. Maybe it's unfair to look back on it after 25 years with today's eyes - but sadly, like so many of these films, neither the talent not the visuals really stand the test of time at all well. It wasn't great then, it certainly isn't now
