Johnny Mnemonic - why was it such a failure?
#1
Thread Starter
DVD Talk Legend
Johnny Mnemonic - why was it such a failure?
What happened here? Cyberpunk action sci-fi released in 1995 when cyberpunk popularity was at an all-time high. Keanu was already a big star. It had Henry Rollins saying "fuck" alot. Dolph Lundgren as a psychotic prophet/torturer. Beat Takashi as a villain. Ice T pimping the underground. Fairly compelling plot and some things previously only seen in anime. What was the problem? The acting was pretty sub-par, but aside from that it seemed to have lots going for it. I read somewhere that it was an editing problem or something. Was this better on paper? Is this likely to be a cult classic someday?
#2
DVD Talk Platinum Edition
I hated this movie. I was really excited when this film came out, the concept sounded great but ugh it just leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
The acting was god awful and just didn't flow from scene to scene right.
The acting was god awful and just didn't flow from scene to scene right.
#5
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
There is supposed to be a longer more graphic verison released in Japan that is a 'better' film I have been told.
But from what I've seen that was released. It seemed rather pedestrian in execution. For all it's 'style',it felt limp and cheap looking. With no real flow from scene to scene.
But from what I've seen that was released. It seemed rather pedestrian in execution. For all it's 'style',it felt limp and cheap looking. With no real flow from scene to scene.
#7
DVD Talk Special Edition
Damn I hate this movie with a passion. I too was excited for it and it blew me away on how bad it was. I mean Nemesis with Olivier Gruner was better then this turd.
#8
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
"What happened here? Cyberpunk action sci-fi released in 1995 when cyberpunk popularity was at an all-time high. Keanu was already a big star. It had Henry Rollins saying "fuck" alot. Dolph Lundgren as a psychotic prophet/torturer. Beat Takashi as a villain. Ice T pimping the underground."
There's your answer!!!
There's your answer!!!
#11
DVD Talk Legend
One of the 3 worst movies I have ever seen.
#12
DVD Talk Hero
Originally Posted by shaun3000
I think you answered your own question.
#13
DVD Talk Legend
I saw this at the theater when it came out and ended up leaving about halfway through.
#14
DVD Talk Legend
I rented this about three years after its failure and it was an hour and a half I wanted back. When I saw Keanu was making a sci-fi movie called "The Matrix" I actually thought I would get sick at nobody learning their lesson. Glad some friends insisted I overlook Keanu or I never would have seen Matrix.
#15
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
Originally Posted by Nick Danger
Subpar acting is no reason for a movie to flop. For example, there was Speed, or The Matrix.
Speed is fairly well acted for an action film. And it is well directed as well and paced....everything Johnny is not
#17
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Originally Posted by TheMadMonk
People hate silent "M"s.
#21
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From: Sand Point
Isn't the basic premise flawed? When electronic information can be sent anywhere across the world in seconds, why do you need to put it into someone who moves as slow as, well, a person?
#22
DVD Talk Legend
One of the truely unwatchable ones -and I have a very high tolerance for sci-fi/fantasy, forgiving every kind of movie-making weakness - just not all in one movie!
#24
DVD Talk Godfather
Originally Posted by EdTheRipper
I saw this at the theater when it came out and ended up leaving about halfway through.
Great premise(as evidenced by the novel), but its downfall is poor execution.
#25
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From: The Illustrious State of Fugue
This movie was pretty bad, but to this day no one has ever topped the 2 minute cyberspace scene. in the middle.
Plus it had the (glowing so we could see it) monomolecular filament and Dolph Lundgren saying, "Halt sinners." so it has a weird place in my heart.
Now if they could have followed the story and had Molly Millions in there and the dolphin on heroin, I might've even defended it.
Plus it had the (glowing so we could see it) monomolecular filament and Dolph Lundgren saying, "Halt sinners." so it has a weird place in my heart.
Now if they could have followed the story and had Molly Millions in there and the dolphin on heroin, I might've even defended it.




