| Plot: Journalist Hunter S. Thompson (Johnny Depp) and his attorney Dr. Gonzo (Benicio Del Toro) go to Las Vegas to write about the Mint 400 and in the process slog through a drug-filled odyessy in search of the American dream. Review: This movie easily ranks as one of the best I've ever seen. Terry Gilliam (of Monty Python fame) has successfully transformed Hunter S. Thompson's novel into a movie. The look, the feel, the characters, even to the zany drug sequences, Gilliam brings the book to life. The movie is a visual buffet as we get all sorts of crazy shots, lighting, the odd atmosphere of 1971's Las Vegas (did I mention the drug sequences?), and some camera angles that defy description. Though there are tons of celebrities making hilarious cameos, Delo Toro and Depp easily steal the spotlight. Depp gives one hell of a performance as the doctor of "Gonzo Journalism" himself: Hunter S. Thompson. Not only does Depp look almost exactly like Thompson, he also nails home all the odd mannerisms, paranoia, and dialogue you'd expect from the book. Del Toro makes a strong performance as Dr. Gonzo as well, giving scenes an energetic boost and believability. Thompson and Dr. Gonzo making an interesting "odd couple" with Thompson's paranoia and unique look at everything and Dr. Gonzo's drug-fueled anger. It's easy to view this movie as a comedy, and for all intents and purposes, it could work out that way seeing as how it's damned funny. However, the comedy is perfectly blended in with subtexts and satire. An ordinary visit to Bazooko Circus Casino turns into a much more indepth experience when narrated by a drugged-out Thompson. Though Thompson's observations of each event might seem just plain crazy, they also carry a heavy weight of truth to them and in the end, his observations might be the sanest. It's also easy to view it as two crazy characters are unleashed in buttoned-down Las Vegas, but that would be wrong. Dr. Gonzo and Thompson represent the mentality of the 1960s and just clash with 1971's Las Vegas. In the end Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas is a perfect translation of the book packed with great character acting and wicked visuals, not to mention heavy subtexts that will take you multiple viewing to figure out. Fans of the book should definitely check this movie out. |
| Review by Jim |
| Rating: **** |
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