Awake
Starring: Hayden Christensen, Jessica Alba, Terrence Howard, Lena Olin, Christopher McDonaldDirector: Joby Harold
Studio: The Weinstein Company
MPAA Rating: R (Restricted)
Format: NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
Running Time: 84 minutes
DVD Release: March 4th 2008
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DVD Review
Awake turns the disturbingly real phenomenon of anesthetic awareness - in which surgery patients through completely paralyzed are conscious of everything they are experiencing including the pain - into a "completely absorbing" thriller (Roger Ebert). When failed anesthesia leaves a rich young tycoon (Hayden Christensen Star Wars) alert but immobilized during open heart surgery he overhears a devious plot to have him killed. Co-starring Jessica Alba (Sin City) and Academy Award nominee Terrence Howard (Crash) Awake does "for operations what Jaws did for the beach" (Frank ScheckHollywood Reporter)System Requirements:Running Time: 84 minutesFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: DRAMA/PSYCHOLOGICAL DRAMA Rating: R UPC: 796019810678 Manufacturer No: 81067
User Reviews
Great! - Rating: 5/5
I won't get into all the details about the plot as many who have posted already have, but I found this movie interesting from beginning to end. I didn't find there to be many 'slow' points as it was all to me just the telling of the story, and what a story! Hayden was incredible in this role, excellent acting on his part. It was also nice to finally see Jessica Alba in a role somewhat different than her others have been. To me, I thought this was a well done movie, twists and all..
Good inspite of several flaws - Rating: 5/5
The only reason that prevented me from giving a 4 star rating was the plot and gripping narrative (though a bit boring in places) which had me on the edge of my seat till the end. This first thing I must be thankful about this film is for making me aware of "Anesthetic awareness" a physical condition under general anesthesia I never knew could take place. I finally started reading more about it on the internet and it sounded too frightening and painful to be true. I was only wondering how a patient's anesthetic awareness could be detected if he or she were to have it prior to a surgery. Scary indeed!
As my mind was focused on the medical condition I was hardly aware of the superb plot and that turned out to be quite a thriller. All leading stars have done a good job except that Hayden needs to do something about his acting and personality to avoid becoming monotonous and stale. The lovely and haunting piano signature tune was also a plus. The flaws were the openness of the heart transplant operation. I need to know which hospital in the U.S allows a relative to enter an operation theater so easily where a heart transplant procedure is being performed. In the narrative Hayden has an out-of-body experience but the mother also having it or appearing in the out-of-body experience of Hayden and the meeting of both of them was a bit too crude and at times boring too. But full marks for the idea, story/plot, and screenplay.
Unusual plot but........ - Rating: 2/5
This was definitely a new story line but the execution was mediocre, at best. The whole thing took place in either the Mother and Son's home or at the hospital. Just kind of dull, if you ask me. It has the appearance of a rather low-budget flick. Not impressed. I would rather re-watch something that I have already seen (and liked) than to waste time/money on this one.
Rude Awakening - Rating: 5/5
I have read the reviews and I just am bombarded with negativity once again. The casting is a strong factor and adds great depth to the film. The acting was top notch and the chill factor is over the top. There were no real complaints with the film at all. It is a brilliant film using a unexplored area of medicine and it is damn right creepy. Unlike most films of this genre this has a brilliant ending and justifies itself. The twists are truly amazing and really smart. These reviews are just unfair I mean did they even watch it? There are others films that just suck and this is not one of them. Watch it. You will stay awake.
not that great - Rating: 3/5
The plot is simple, but reveals pretty much what is going to happen. As I don't want to spoil the movie for others, it's enough to say that 1 out of 700 people that undergo surgery find him/herself awake during the procedure, but unable to call for help.
If I divulge anything else, the script itself becomes obvious, so because of that, I found there were no surprises, no twists.
The acting sucks! Only Lena Olin is worth watching. Hayden Christensen and Jessica Alba are mind-blowingly bad. And Terrence Howard is possibly worse.
I found the premise very interesting, but it was, in my opinion, badly scripted - there are several plot holes.
Interesting to watch for the story, but no other reason really.
