Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas - Criterion Collection DVD

Average Rating:

Though it was greeted with lukewarm reviews and mediocre ticket sales, "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" was a wonderfully made movie that catches every essence of Hunter S. Thompson's word. The movie follows Thompson's drug induced alter ego, Raoul Duke (played by Johnny Depp), and his doped up Samoan attorney, Dr. Gonzo (played by Benecio del Toro), as they travel in pursuit of the "American Dream." Based on the 1971 novel of the same name, the (drug) counterculture comedy was a roller coaster ride on LSD. Due to its graphic depiction of drug use and its effects, the film was looked at as a "plotless movie about drug addicts." I found these reviews a little hard to swallow, though. True, the movie is about drugs and how those on them function differently from the "sober" half of society. Those who are opposed to drugs on the screen (or drugs in general) could easily damn the movie for its content. Moreso, though, it is a lifestyle that few get to see. It is an ADVENTURE for the ambiguous "American Dream." Being undefined, this pursuit is almost aimless. This, however, does not mean the movie does not have plot. The search for the "dream" and their experiences with others is the real story here. It just doesn't have any real closure. Throughout the film, the story follows the book pretty closely. The movie begins with Duke and Gonzo speeding through the desert on their way to the Las Vegas. Being a writer, Duke has been sent to cover the Mint 400 Race, a motorcycle exhibition that takes place in the desert near Vegas. Having received the assignment while "relaxing" with Gonzo, Duke decides to make the trip more "pleasure" than "business." They purchase a new car (the Red Shark) and fill its trunk to capacity with nearly every drug imaginable. Upon arriving in Vegas, the duo begins their mad drug fed romp through the "sin city." They terrorize the desert town without trying to get caught. Their diet, consisting mainly of grapefruits and the contents of their trunk, provides them with enough sustenance to stumble from casino to casino. Duke attempts to report on the Mint 400, but finds no glory (and no hint of the American Dream). For a time, the two are seperated, as Gonzo returns to LA for business. Upon his return, the duo continue their search for the "Dream," but quickly find interest in other activities (infiltrating a police officer conference while under the influence, drinking pure adrenaline, trashing a room and assaulting a maid, etc.) In the end, the two give up their mission and leave Vegas with unpaid hotel bills and alot of angry citizens. From start to finish, the movie pretty much parallels the book. There are even times when pieces of dialogue are verbatim. One scene that definitely does not appear in the movie (and is very oblique in the book) was a chapter based on a static recording made by "Thompson." In it, he and Gonzo make inquiries of the vague "American Dream" to dime store waitresses who can offer no real directions. With the storyline and the material similar to the book, the originality and flair of the film comes from a mix of the elements. First, the cast is a stupendous gathering of Hollywood's finest underlings - Christina Ricci as the depressed, Streisand infatuated tag along; Cameron Diaz (for a minute) as a spellbinding TV reporter; Gary Busey as the righteous but accepting Highway patrol officer; Benecio del Torro as the unbearable but faithful (to the "Dream") Dr. Gonzo. Secondly, Johnny Depp delivers the performance of a lifetime as the eccentric and insightful Raoul Duke/Hunter S. Thompson. Also, people who have seen Thompson in interviews on TV would know that Depp truly embodied the writer in both body movements and speech. Third, with artists like Jefferson Airplane, Three Dog Night, and Bob Dylan on the soundtrack, the psychedelic music that accompanies the film is both fitting and mood inspiring. Fourth, and lastly, "Fear and Loathing" would never have come to the screen in the format it did if the film had not been placed in the capable and crafty hands of director Terry Gilliam. With movies like "The Fisher King" and "12 Monkeys" under his belt, Gilliam has proven himself to have an original touch and an eye for the abnormal. These can be seen in the wide angle shots of desert, the extreme close ups of the panic stricken characters, the dark lighting that accompanies the hallucinations, and the special effects that enable the audience to tread lightly on the drug trips. In the end, I saw "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" as one of the better films of 1998. The acting was commendable. The directing, superb. And all in all, a damn good movie to watch if you wish to find the "American Dream" for yourself.

When you hear those words at the very beginning of the movie, you know you're in for a wild life. So my advice is that you buy the ticket and take the ride! You're just about ready then, aren't you?

Get in!

In this wickedly funny and entertaining dark film, "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas," Terry Gilliam captures the humor and chaos in Hunter S. Thompson's literary masterpiece. Not an easy task if you ask me. If this film were done wrong, it would've been a terrible tragedy. Fortunately, it was done right.

Johnny Depp and Benicio Del Toro star as Raoul Duke and Dr. Gonzo. When a writing assignment is given to Duke, the two go to Vegas for the ultimate trip. (Trust me, "trip" is the appropriate word.) With a trunk full of every single kind of drug you can imagine, the two are off to Vegas. But soon everything spins out of control and the writing assignment is no longer the only things on their minds.

Johnny Depp is hilarious as Raoul Duke. Why he didn't win an Academy Award for his performance is beyond me. He even lived with Hunter for a couple of months to get his character down right. Now, that is some serious research. And Del Toro is awesome as the Samoan attorney Dr. Gonzo. (You wouldn't even recognize him if it weren't for his voice.)

Terry Gilliam did an outstanding job at directing this risk-taking film. We actually feel like we're on drugs while watching. Forget D.A.R.E.! Have the kids watch this movie and they'll never want to do drugs! Gilliam does a remarkable job of capturing Thompson's genius and placing it onto film. The images we are given are dark and surreal, and are out of this world.

The DVD is not too bad as well. There's a few extras that you'll find very entertaining. Not a lot, but there are a few. Including a behind the scenes feature, the theatrical trailer, deleted scenes, and more. (Watch the trailer, it's one of the funniest ones I have ever seen. It'll give you an idea of what you're in for.) The picture and sound quality are very high quality, although I wish the movie were presented to us in Dolby Digital 5.1 instead of 2.0. Oh well.

I read the book after the seeing the movie, and it actually helped. Just picturing Depp and Del Toro enriched the story that much more. Depp with the cigarette always in his mouth as he narrates always stands out in your mind, and that's why it was that much funnier. Yes, I thought the book was a little better than the film, but let me say this, the film did a remarkable job of staying true to the book. The two are very similar.

Here's two things I would like to make clear: 1) No, you do not have to be a stoner to enjoy this movie. I have never done drugs, and seeing this movie makes me NEVER want to do drugs. Ever. But guess what? I still enjoyed the film and found it funny as hell. 2) The reason why there's not much of a plot is because this is all based on a TRUE STORY. Real life doesn't have plot, I'm sorry to say. Life can't always have a distinct and notable climax or resolution, now can it?

All in all, I really enjoyed this film, and thought it was very misunderstood by a lot of people. Yes, this is one of those films you're either going to love it or hate it. There are no guarantees that you will like it, but then again, isn't that always the case? I say take the ride. Take the chance. Dare to be different. If you want something that doesn't fall into the category of "ordinary," then this is the film for you. Extremely hilarious and terribly freaky at times, "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" is a different kind of film experience you do not want to miss.

I also recommend reading the book as well. It is quite the experience...