"Metropolis"

*****

This, the first filmed sci-fi epic (1927), remains one of the best. On a purely visual level, this movie is sublime. Fritz Lang's surrealistic vision uses religious and occult symbolism, art deco and totalitarian styles, and beautiful cutting-edge (for the time) cinematography and visual effects to create a world that had never been seen before, and has influenced almost everything that has been seen since. This is a true masterpiece, a work of utter brilliance.

Does this mean everyone will love it? Most definitely not. Some will be bored to tears by the slow pacing of the film. Most will probably appreciate it merely as a fine piece of history, an antique to be taken out, dusted off, and viewed as a reminder of times gone by. For me though, and I suspect for some others out there, this movie is absolutely thrilling. I found myself captivated, never distracted for a moment by the typical overly-theatrical acting used in all silent films.

In fact, I found the performance of Brigitte Helm quite good. She is the heart of this movie, and embodies her dual roles completely, changing the way she holds her face, the way she moves, and even the very nature of her posture and presence between the characters so you never for a moment have to wonder which one you're seeing, though the two look exactly alike.

It is a sad fact that portions of this film have been lost to history, and segments must be recreated using only title cards, filling in the blanks so to speak. (16 minutes previously thought lost were found on an old negative from I believe Argentina in 2008. These sequences were restored and edited back into the movie in a version called "The Complete Metropolis". When I see this version I will post a new review.) Kudos must be given for the fantastic digital restoration on the Kino disc and the inclusion of the original score, which adds whole levels of texture and emotion to the already emotional and textured visuals.

Watch this movie, as history, as entertainment, as art, for it is all three and more. Just watch it, and pick your jaw up off the floor when it's over.