THX 1138 (2004, DVD)

Lucas takes a look at many things in this sci-fi film that mirrors today's problemed world: consumerism, religion/government, sex (THX), love (LUH) and the search for the meaning of life itself.

Set in the future, THX finds himself needing more from his existence, besides the govenment's mandatory prescribed drugs that he's told to take on a daily basis and the useless material products that are purchased and then disintegrate shortly after. More drugs, more buying, more drugs, more buying.

The government sees everything, even in your own home, and when THX finds himself feeling love for LUH for the first time after not taking his drugs, he decides to escape from his "normal" life.

What ensues is a great cast of creepy characters including Donald Pleasence's character, SEN.

Some of the things that are pretty cool but not really necessary are the little added scenes of CGI. They're nice and all, but the original movie didn't really need it.

If you don't "get it" or think it's boring the first time you watch it, I definitely suggest watching it again and thinking the second time. It really is art imitating life imitating art. Made in 1970 and Lucas was already on the right track about our future world. I don't think we're far off from this reality now.

Wow, I viewed this movie when it first was released, it was amazing then and after all these years its still an outstanding movie.

This was an excellent movie. It is an early George Lucas (pre Star Wars) movie that develops some interesting themes in a futurist society which seeks to control the emotions of humans. Much better than I had expected, this movie entertained the whole family which normally doesnt stick to the sci-fi as much as they did to this movie. This version I saw (the 2004 DVD with some additions/updates from the director) was very well done. One thing I noticed was that Star Wars fans might see some familiarities in style and character by looking at this movie and the robotic control of the humans. Very interesting stuff. Highly recommended for late teens on up. Please note there are a few adult themed scenes.

We love George Lucas and thought it would be interesting to see his early stuff. It was so boring we forced ourselves through to see if the end would redeem it. It did not. The extra disc info tells that this was cutting edge at the time and why it was filmed at all. The extra disc with history and interviews is a bit interesting.

George Lucas of Star Wars fame made this debut film in college. It comprises a medely of anti-utopian and utopian models in conflict for carrot and stick management of the herds of people who overpopulate the Earth in the far future. Numbers, THX1138, instead of names are people's distinguishing point, and our hero THX1138 is at odds with a system that is beyond his ability to control. Things are not 'right' with his biology, or his need to feel important to someone, somewhere.

Nevertheless, he finds a changing set of support groups gives his life bearing. He stumbles from one scene to another bereft of control, seeking meaning and control. He finds some meaning, but control is elusive and temporary. Futuristic scenes and backgrounds are excellent, supporting cast is varied and at more than sufficient. We find our hero gaining at least appreciation for the complex world that surrounds him.

In the end, which is distinct from the amorphous beginning with a clear arrival at the destination, light and freedom. Freedom from the world that manipulates the masses of humanity, but which he has through great risk discovered. No idea of what to do with freedom is clearly expressed, and a new beginning is marked, both for the star, and the director.

THX 1138 is a rather odd movie. It' sometimes is alittle hard to figure out what exactly is going on but for the most part not too bad. I'm not going to say this is a bad movie. Part of me kind of liked it beacause it's different and the story is kind of different but it's a weird movie.