Movie Talk A Discussion area for everything movie related including films In The Theaters

Solaris?

Old 12-23-07, 12:09 AM
  #1  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 599
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Solaris?

2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) is one of my top three favorite films of all-time, I just found the entire work to be a mind-blowing artistic masterpiece far ahead of its time. Naturally, I also enjoyed Sunshine (2007) quite a bit.

That said, I am curious about Solaris (neither of which I have seen). In particular, what did you think of the original 1972 version of the film, what did you think of the 2002 remake with Clooney, and which do you prefer? Should I check out both, and which first?
Old 12-23-07, 12:47 AM
  #2  
DVD Talk Hero
 
PopcornTreeCt's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 25,913
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
I haven't seen the Soderbergh version. I hear it's either a love it or hate it film. I thought the original was amazing, dare I say one of the greatest sci-fi films ever made. I certainly recommend it if you are a fan of 2001. IMO, I think Solaris is superior.
Old 12-23-07, 01:29 AM
  #3  
DVD Talk Special Edition
 
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: Waterford, MI
Posts: 1,263
Likes: 0
Received 38 Likes on 21 Posts
I stayed away from the Clooney film for the longest time because I heard bad things about it, but then when I saw it I absolutely loved it - a very moving, beautiful film IMO. On the other side, I found the Tarkovsky film an absolute bore and have no desire to see it again.

Michael
Old 12-23-07, 01:37 AM
  #4  
Member
 
Brack's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: near Cincinnati
Posts: 10,007
Received 61 Likes on 39 Posts
Solaris (2002) is definitely worth watching.
Old 12-23-07, 01:37 AM
  #5  
DVD Talk Platinum Edition
 
Greg MacGuffin's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Formerly known as "Jeffy Pop"/Denver
Posts: 3,038
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
The original is one of my favorite films of all time. If you're not afraid of deliberately paced, cerebral science fiction, it is definitely recommended. It has some things in common with 2001 (another one of my favorites), but they are two very different films, so liking one does not guarantee that you will like the other. (Supposedly, Tarkovsky did not like 2001.)

I enjoy the Soderburgh film as well, although it is very polarizing. I watched both versions back to back one night, and I think it suffers in comparison with the original. Still, I think it is an elegant (and much shorter) counterpart to Tarkovsky.

If you like the 1972 Solaris, you might also want to check out Tarkovsky's other science fiction film, Stalker. Again, no guarantee that you will like it, but it is a very challenging, rewarding flick.
Old 12-23-07, 01:39 AM
  #6  
DVD Talk Legend
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 20,767
Likes: 0
Received 14 Likes on 7 Posts
I've been thinking about trying out Clooney's Solaris, but I'm afraid that it might be too depressing. Anyone think it is?
Old 12-23-07, 02:56 AM
  #7  
Member
 
Brack's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: near Cincinnati
Posts: 10,007
Received 61 Likes on 39 Posts
Originally Posted by Ranger
I've been thinking about trying out Clooney's Solaris, but I'm afraid that it might be too depressing. Anyone think it is?
I didn't kill myself after watching it, so no.
Old 12-23-07, 03:22 AM
  #8  
DVD Talk Special Edition
 
Finisher's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 1,804
Received 47 Likes on 34 Posts
Tarkovsky's Solaris is brilliant. Soderbergh's Solaris is shit.

If you haven't seen them, Tarkovsky's Andrei Rublev and Stalker are essential viewing as well.
Old 12-23-07, 04:27 AM
  #9  
DVD Talk Godfather
 
inri222's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2001
Posts: 50,673
Received 182 Likes on 120 Posts
Originally Posted by Finisher
Tarkovsky's Solaris is brilliant. Soderbergh's Solaris is shit.

Old 12-23-07, 04:37 AM
  #10  
Banned by request
 
Supermallet's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Termite Terrace
Posts: 54,150
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes on 8 Posts
Tarkovsky thought that 2001 possessed no spark of humanity in it, and deliberately made Solaris as a response. Personally, I love both, but I much prefer 2001, as I think it's the greatest film ever made. But Tarkovsky's Solaris has a lot going for it, and is very much worth seeing.

I don't know why Soderbergh felt compelled to remake that particular movie, but I didn't see it and more than likely never will.
Old 12-23-07, 04:44 AM
  #11  
DVD Talk Godfather
 
Giantrobo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Gateway Cities/Harbor Region
Posts: 63,126
Received 1,748 Likes on 1,093 Posts
Solaris 2002 is really good. I loved the overall mood and what was going on with Clooney's character. The soundtrack is also amazing.
Old 12-23-07, 05:52 AM
  #12  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Daydream Nation
Posts: 887
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Haven't seen Solaris. I'll have to check this out.
Old 12-23-07, 06:54 AM
  #13  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 599
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Finisher
If you haven't seen them, Tarkovsky's Andrei Rublev and Stalker are essential viewing as well.
I will keep that in mind.

I made this post because I had prior seen a lot of positive feedback for Solaris 2002, more than I had expected, honestly. You all seem to reinforce the notion that I should check out both versions of the movie then. Thanks!
Old 12-23-07, 08:08 AM
  #14  
DVD Talk Reviewer
 
Yakuza Bengoshi's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Region Free
Posts: 1,896
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Although Tarkovsky didn't regard it as one of his better films, I love Solaris and have seen it more times, as an adult, than any other film. That said, I also enjoyed Soderbergh's film, and of course, Stanislaw Lem's original novel is worth reading too. I'd rank 'em as follows:

Tarkovsky's film -- essential
Lem's novel -- great
Soderbergh's film -- very good
Old 12-23-07, 08:13 AM
  #15  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 761
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I guess I'm in the minority, but I hate the 1972 original. The 2002 version is definitely worth watching though.
Old 12-23-07, 08:19 AM
  #16  
DVD Talk Reviewer
 
Yakuza Bengoshi's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Region Free
Posts: 1,896
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Suprmallet
I don't know why Soderbergh felt compelled to remake that particular movie, but I didn't see it and more than likely never will.
You might appreciate Soderbergh's film better if you think of it less as a remake of Tarkovsky's film, which it isn't, and more as an examination of another aspect of Lem's novel, which it is.
Old 12-23-07, 10:24 AM
  #17  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Arizona
Posts: 376
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
i personally feel that Tarkovsky's film is one of the greatest sci-fi films ever made and Soderbergh's take on the story is very well done.
Old 12-23-07, 12:12 PM
  #18  
DVD Talk Limited Edition
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Malvern, PA
Posts: 5,010
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Solaris 2002 is a good movie. Haven't seen the original but heard it's quite a bore. I think I'll pass.
Old 12-23-07, 02:02 PM
  #19  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 304
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I avoided the 2002 Solaris for some time, but finally picked it up on behalf of a friend's recommendation and needing to fill the spot in a buy two get one.
I was pleasantly surprised.
Old 12-23-07, 04:11 PM
  #20  
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
 
Paul_SD's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Hiking the Sisyphian trail
Posts: 8,692
Received 72 Likes on 55 Posts
Originally Posted by Finisher
Tarkovsky's Solaris is brilliant. Soderbergh's Solaris is shit.
wow- the original must be to generate such a contemplative and reasoned analysis.

I haven't seen the original- I read part of the book (and enjoyed it) and the Soderbergh adaptation seemed fairly close to what I could gather.
I loved the Soderbergh film. And as trendsetting and 'great' as 2001 is, I don't find it very emotionally (or intellectually for that matter) engaging. Things like Solaris and Blade Runner hit these areas for me much better.
Old 12-23-07, 04:23 PM
  #21  
DVD Talk Hero
 
PopcornTreeCt's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 25,913
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
How could anyone see the remake and not the original? I don't think I've ever done that with any movie.
Old 12-23-07, 04:34 PM
  #22  
Banned by request
 
Supermallet's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Termite Terrace
Posts: 54,150
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes on 8 Posts
Originally Posted by PopcornTreeCt
How could anyone see the remake and not the original? I don't think I've ever done that with any movie.
What about Scarface, or Cat People?
Old 12-23-07, 04:57 PM
  #23  
DVD Talk Hero
 
PopcornTreeCt's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 25,913
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Originally Posted by Suprmallet
What about Scarface, or Cat People?
Seen both Scarface versions and never saw any version of Cat People.
Old 12-23-07, 05:02 PM
  #24  
Banned by request
 
Supermallet's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Termite Terrace
Posts: 54,150
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes on 8 Posts
Okay, fair enough.
Old 12-23-07, 05:03 PM
  #25  
DVD Talk Reviewer
 
Yakuza Bengoshi's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Region Free
Posts: 1,896
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by PopcornTreeCt
How could anyone see the remake and not the original? I don't think I've ever done that with any movie.
That's impressive. So I see you own Romeo + Juliet; that means you've seen Clément Maurice's 1900 version then?

Last edited by Yakuza Bengoshi; 12-23-07 at 05:11 PM.

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.