GATTACA Special Edition (2008).
© Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

Mania Grade: A-
Title: Gattaca Special Edition
Starring: Ethan Hawke, Uma Thurman, Jude Law, Alan Arkin, Ernest Borgnine, Gore Vidal
Written By: Andrew Niccol
Directed By: Andrew Niccol
Distributor: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Original Year of Release: 1997
Extras: Welcome to Gattaca Featurette (New), Do Not Alter? Documentary (New), Original Featurette, Deleted Scenes, Substance Test Outtake

Related Links

1

GATTACA Special Edition

In 1997 when ‘Gattaca’ was originally released the film was ground breaking in both look and story. Eleven years later the story of an imperfect man named Vincent (Ethan Hawke), who was born of God (naturally) and his struggle to be more than what a perfect society will allow him to be is still timeless. 

Here we are eleven years in the future and the film still sets itself apart from all other science fiction. The tapestry which director/ writer Andrew Niccol paints ‘Gattaca’ on is a minimalist one. Minimalist but shrouded in layers that are thicker than most science fiction films from then to now. There are no giant computer generated landscapes or huge set pieces made up of green screens and imagination. No, Niccol creates the most believable and futuristic of worlds since Ridley Scott’s ‘Blade Runner’. Using pre-existing locations, creative lighting and retro-science fiction motifs he allows his story to unfold and take center stage. He wants us to see the story, not all the cool effects and money spent. He wants us to watch one man rise to challenge society to be more than what they will allow him to be.

Nicole uses a great allegory that marks the film in three acts. In the beginning we see two brothers challenge each other to a game of chicken. Young Vincent (Mason Gamble), is the older brother and “genetically inferior” to his younger, stronger brother Anton (Vincent Nielson). They are to swim out into the ocean as far as they can. The loser is the first to turn back. In the beginning Vincent turns back, believing that he is inferior to his younger brother. As they mature the game continues and the next time Vincent pushes it further than ever before and Anton loses. The race will happen again yet, it is this second race in the film that sets Vincent’s character apart. Vincent now knows the only way to win is to never hold back. It’s all or nothing or he is just as inferior as everyone believes. In the end the brothers will race for one last time and close the film having Vincent reveal to Anton why his superiority failed him.

As I said this is an extremely rich film that contains many layers. There are Vincent’s attempts at beating society’s scientific discrimination. The mismatched, by this society’s standards, love affair between Vincent and Irene (Uma Thurman). Vincent and Eugene’s (Jude Law) bond. There is a unique singularity that these two man share for one life. All that and a murder to solve involving an old-school detective (Alan Arkin) trying to play against society’s discriminating rules knowing that they are flawed.

Gattaca is a true testament to the elements that create a perfect science fiction film. It incorporates believable characters, an engaging story and invisible special effects, enabling the audience to think and above all create a world that is real. A world that could actually happen.

Special Features:

The special features for this special edition aren’t really so special. The “Original Featurette” from the films first DVD release is included and it is a classic HBO style piece with the standard Donald LaFontaine type voice over. For as quiet and slow moving as the film really is, this bordering-on-action featurette seems out of place. However, next to the new “Welcome to Gattaca” Featurette the contrast of the actors involved to their younger selves really illustrates how timeless this film is in appearance. Jude Law and Ethan Hawke can get older but the film still represents a look and style that is ageless. The best part of “Welcome to Gattaca” is that the location managers point out that if there is one film they are proud of it is this one. Robert Earl Craft and Ilt Jones both discuss what efforts they made to find locations to bring Niccol’s vision to life. Usually not something featured on a DVD but with a film such as this, their efforts were obviously seen on screen in a big way. Lacking in these two featurettes is Niccol (hence my rating of an A- and not an A+). Nothing except scenes of him directing and praises from the cast and crew are shown. A commentary track or a ten minute interview would have been nice for his take on his film.

Six deleted scenes and one outtake are included on the DVD. All seem as if they were from the original DVD. The quality is as if it was taped off of an old VHS tape. A few of the deleted scenes take place between Ethan Hawke and Ernest Borgnine. They seem overly emotional and out of place as if there were more scenes between the two of them. An interesting monologue of Gattaca’s head director (Gore Vidal) takes place where he addresses his students and refers to those that will travel to the next star as a people evolved from them without imperfections. This monologue creates a dark an ominous moment for Vincent and one that should have been left in the film. Out of all the scenes though the “Eight Day Center” (longer cut) scene where Vincent’s parents are asked if they would like to spend more on their next child’s gene manipulation is one that illustrates how much money can buy. This brief moment could have played into why Jude Law’s character Eugene was as valuable as they made him out to be. In the same scene the abortion of Vincent’s parents other “human possibilities” babies put an interesting twist on futuristic abortions.

This special edition isn’t as special as it should be. The film is what you should really be after and here is your chance to get a new transfer or buy it on Blue-Ray DVD.