I know its not on dvd as yet but wanted to post my thoughts before people start buying it up, saw it last night...




Two words....BOR-ING!
I pretty much agree with all the negatives on the other board....I did think the basic story was good and the filming but it was grueling to sit through! The whole movie was so monotone, finally when you thought there might be some action-like a car blowing up-its done without sound! Even the heavier scenes are totally listless! The one and only time I semi-found myself getting emotional is when Michael Douglas's character finally finds his daughter...

Also, whats with all the movies lately where its like 4 stories going on and then at the end they all intertwine! How original.

And the "color" issue for each story...big deal.

I will definitely NOT be buying this when it comes to dvd.

Please post your thoughts or reviews here....

[Edited by Max on 02-16-01 at 06:21 AM]

I agree with you whole-heartedly. I was soooooo dissapointed by this film, after hearing such wonderful things about it. I've already written a full-fledged review on it, so I'll keep this short and sweet:

Don't buy this DVD...

Buy Bring It On or something over this

Rent.

Although I also bought The Insider, which has a similar style, so who am i crapping?

Rent.

Not that the film isn't good, it is, but I don't see too much replay value. I'll watch it again when the DVD is released, but that will probably be the end of it.

Excellent movie. I will definitely buy it.

OUCH! I said I wanted to post MY thoughts...To each his own Ebert....so far 4-2...we win!

Buy. Excellent film.

Don't post replies that can violate forum rules (i.e., personal attacks). We're all entitled to our own opinions, but please try to be a little more respectful in sharing them.

--Heather
Moderator, DVD Talk & Reviews forums

I'll be buying it.

-Gonnosuke

Superb filmmaking. I'm definately picking this one up.

Traffic was terrible. It's not even worth a rent. How the heck did this thing get nominated for 5 Academy Awards?

A lot of hype and not nearly enough delivered. When I say hype, I'm referring to all of the positive reviews that I heard and/or read either on the TV or in the newspaper. I'm not one to let reviews influence my judgement (for example, I even saw Mission To Mars), but when I hear all of this great stuff about a movie, I am at least expecting something worthwile. When will I learn that the movies the critics "rave" about are usually not worth my time of day.

[Edited by BartleyR7 on 02-17-01 at 10:05 AM]

When people say overhyped, I have to wonder how much their exposure to advertising, other marketing, reviews, and word of mouth has influenced their perception of the movie.

I thought this movie was excellent, although I didn't find the use of colors to be as innovative as some had made out. It was simply the color analog of (color = present), (B&W = past), put into geographic terms. Soderbergh's Out of Sight did it better, less obtrusively, and less obviously.

I loved Traffic. No one in the theater I saw it in seemed bored. In fact, I was really intrigued by how interactive with the movie the audience seemed to be. A lot of reactions to what they were seeing, etc... It was my second favorite movie of the year.

What? Not enough explosions, flashing lights and d*ck and fart jokes for ya? Just joking. that's my stock answer when people say something is boring that I really liked.


great, so did I.


I don't understand how this comment could follow the first part of the sentence above.


I would say that would make the film more realistic rather than heightened cinematically


So, not enough explosions, flashing lights, d*ck and fart jokes, OR loud bangs.



Again I would say realistic.



I'm glad you at least enjoyed that scene.


Hardly something new or "lately" at all so your sarcasm doesn't quite work. Altman made it popular long ago and the concept existed LONG before that. I didn't even think of this film as being that type of "Altmanesque" film at all anyway.


I don't think it was supposed to be a big deal. Simply a stylistic choice. I haven't heard anyone say they liked TRAFFIC because there were different filters used for different locations. Soderbergh has done this in several other films. OUT OF SIGHT and THE UNDERNEATH for example. It's just something he likes to do to create an atmosphere. It's not supposed to be gimmicky or earthshattering and is hardly anything new either.


I'm sorry you didn't love this film as much as I did.


I did.

Traffic is a rental at most.

It's till in the theaters. Go see it!

Word. I love suttle movies like this. A movie doesn't have to create suspense to be good. It doesn't have to be loud (ie Snatch). Some examples...

The Insider
Sex, Lies, and Videotape
Magnolia
Unbreakable
Hannibal

I thought that The Insider, along with Three Kings, was the best of 1999. Hell, Sex, Lies, and Videotape is one of my all time favorites.

Saw it tonight. Liked it alot!

I would definately rent it and see if you like it or not. I rarely buy a movie without having seen it.

A must buy.

definitely buying it, classic film.

Why post this topic if you haven't seen the film?

I think it's a classic film & will be adding it to my collection, buy!

Oops! you have seen the film.

So I guess I get an "F" on my report card....oh well.

Taking everything back my basic thought was that I just found it to be tedious and monotone with no real high or low points. I like a good solid drama as much as the next person as long as it stirs some kind of emotion in me, this barely did. End of story with me....and again to each his own.

I saw it in theaters and might rent it... ever. I do like subtle films and films with good story lines but I think this movie suffers from all the hype surounding it. There was too much buzz about the film and it did not meet my expectations.