The original cowriter and director of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas was Alex Cox, whose earlier film Sid and Nancy suggests that Cox could have been a perfect match in filming Hunter S. Thompson's psychotropic masterpiece of "gonzo" journalism. Unfortunately Cox departed due to the usual "creative differences," and this ill-fated adaptation was thrust upon Terry Gilliam, whose formidable gifts as a visionary filmmaker were squandered on the seemingly unfilmable elements of Thompson's ether-fogged narrative. The result is a one-joke movie without the joke--an endless series of repetitive scenes involving rampant substance abuse and the hallucinogenic fallout of a road trip that's run crazily out of control. Johnny Depp plays Thompson's alter ego, "gonzo" journalist Raoul Duke, and Benicio Del Toro is his sidekick and so-called lawyer Dr. Gonzo. During the course of a trip to Las Vegas to cover a motorcycle race, they ingest a veritable chemistry set of drugs, and Gilliam does his best to show us the hallucinatory state of their zonked-out minds. This allows for some dazzling imagery and the rampant humor of stumbling buffoons, and the mumbling performances of Depp and Del Toro wholeheartedly embrace the tripped-out, paranoid lunacy of Thompson's celebrated book. But over two hours of this insanity tends to grate on the nerves--like being the only sober guest at a party full of drunken idiots. So while Gilliam's film may achieve some modest cult status over the years, it's only because Fear and Loathing is best enjoyed by those who are just as stoned as the characters in the movie. --Jeff Shannon
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You gotta
Review Date: August 21, 2010
Reviewer: Brent N. Humphrey, NW OH
This was a terrific addaptation of Hunter in the midst of one of his works.Not for the family or faint of heart,but for us truly twisted turds,this will make you laugh till you piss yourself.Depp & delTorro knocked it out of the park.
Never Got It
Review Date: August 15, 2010
Reviewer: Bry73,
After waiting more than a month from the vendor "blessed2behere" I realized I would never get it. By all means, stay away from this vendor. As for the movie, If you're a Hunter S. fan you must buy this DVD. It has a commentary track of him talking over the whole film that is amazing. plus, there is a documentary and his plans for his funeral which Johnny Depp brought to life (so to speak).
Two Hours That You Will Never Get Back
Review Date: April 26, 2010
Reviewer: Movie Fan, Fort Wayne, IN
I will preface this review by stating that I have never read the book upon which this movie is based. I purchsed this DVD based upon the list of actors. I was truly disappointed with this movie in that I kept waiting for something -- anything -- reasonable and sensible to happen. Alas, it was not forthcoming. The continual narration by Depp's character did not work for me as it really did not add anything close to approximating coherency. The cameo by Bussey was good; however other than that watch this movie only if you are familiar with the book and have an extra two-hours of your life to spend.
Wow.
Review Date: April 26, 2010
Reviewer: eug kwon, pa
Has anyone else been fooled and bought the DVD instead of the book instead? So lame.
Fear loathing in Las vegas
Review Date: March 14, 2010
Reviewer: J. Guin,
This is a wild and crazy movie with a lot of drugs and a movie that i think people will like to watch again and again.
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