2freensel
I saw this movie before reading any reviews, and I thought it was very funny. I was very surprised to see the overwhelmingly negative reviews this film received from critics.
Robert Joyner
The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one
Taha Avalos
The best films of this genre always show a path and provide a takeaway for being a better person.
He_who_lurks
Tonight I saw the near-complete restored version of this film, roughly two hours and twenty five minutes. If you are seeing this movie for entertainment, I will warn you that while this is very very well done in acting and everything, there is more to it than the story it tells. There are biblical references, and a moral--a moral which must have time taken to think of it properly.As about ten minutes of "Metropolis" are presumed lost, portions of the story are missing--including one scene where the inventor Rotwang and Fredersen fight in Rotwang's attic. However, much of the story is here, and how is ten minutes of a movie of this length gonna affect the narrative? It doesn't. True, bits and pieces of the footage are a bit less restored--sometimes being grainy and blurry. I'm assuming these parts are more recently discovered and their restoration has not been as dedicated. As it is, however, it is powerful, complex, lavish and a true masterpiece.If you don't want it spoiled, skip the following paragraph. The story--a magnificent telling of an evil inventor, an angry mob, a prophetess, and a rebellion. Freder, the son of the creator of the whole metropolis, is destined to inherit the whole works after his father. Soon, however, he is mixed up with Maria--a prophetess who ministers the orphans of the city. Through a spy, the father, Joh Fredersen, learns of Maria and his son's fascination with her, and commands Rotwang, the inventor, to turn his robot into an exact image of Maria. Little does he know what he is doing to the city. For the robotic Maria proves to be a wicked leader who leads the workers who keep the city alive in a revolt. They destroy the machines and flood the city before realizing what they are doing. The real Maria however is helping the orphans of the city escape the flood. Freder, in the show-down of the film, then gets into a fight with Rotwang and succeeds in killing him.But there is more to it than that.Every good movie, silent era or otherwise, has a moral. While "Metropolis" has amazing imagery, such as beautiful sets and all that jazz, it has a moral too, which states "The head and hands cannot be connected without the heart". What does this mean? That to think and act you must put love into your actions? To enjoy the movie and discard the moral is a mistake. It is something that must be pondered.
Tyson Hunsaker
"Metropolis" is Fritz Lang's masterpiece of science-fiction that delves into a highly metaphorical futuristic story of two divided classes and a man caught in between them. A film devoted to ideas and themes, richly rooted in religion and fantasy, "Metropolis" is a haunting and emotionally powerful experience that's impossible to forget. This is one to study for the ages and every film fan should find and cherish. Time hasn't been kind to this extraordinary film. After years of different versions, KINO International released a "complete" version of the film which included lost and damaged footage essential to the plot of the story. Thanks to their outstanding restoration of the film, we get to experience "Metropolis" in mostly all of its cinematic and artistic glory. The images and story feel more striking than ever before and the unapologetic approach Fritz Lang took in creating this masterpiece is what makes this movie stand far out above other science-fiction films. The film itself has a dream-like trance with hypnotic editing that when dream sequences are actually happening, you wonder what truth is really being presented on screen. This works to the film's advantage by allowing the audience to completely feel the majesty and horror of the future. "Metropolis" immerses the audience with not only excellent technical techniques, but the brilliant art direction and production design. Viewing the film in 2017, one still wonders exactly how particular effects were achieved. Thankfully, we get sucked into this world and its story so effortlessly, we have no time to wonder how we're seeing what we're seeing. We simply enjoy the movie magic. With clear direction, strong performances, and unforgettable visuals, "Metropolis" couldn't be more recommended. If the "complete" version is available, it's well worth the extra runtime to grasp the entire story. "Metropolis" is a cinematic masterpiece; pure and simple.
funsterdad
On so many levels, this film is truly brilliant! An early achievement in SF, an epic of epic length prior to the days before sound, "Metropolis" must have been found by its German viewers as provocative, to say the least. Now it can be viewed for that in historical terms, given a subplot with its communist overtones and its religious symbolism. The special effects used in this magnificent piece of cinema were way ahead of their time, as was the prophetic message. "Metropolis" is an absolute must-see for the student of film and for anyone else interested in film history and culture!
CinemaClown
An ambitious, audacious & astounding example of science-fiction and one of the most influential & essential works of the silent era, Metropolis is widely recognised as a masterpiece of imagination, creativity & filmmaking art today and its vision of the future & the depicted relation between man & machine was far ahead of its time, and although its groundbreaking technical craftsmanship is still capable of dazzling everyone, its narrative isn't as compelling.A silent feature film with a runtime exceeding 150 minutes was never going to be a comfortable sit but given the film's reputation, it was a must-watch. And Metropolis does manage to transfix in its earlier moments with its dystopian setting & unsettling illustration of what a human is reduced to. The countless innovations in cinematography & practical effects do make you wonder how any of it was accomplished back then but after a while, its runtime is severely felt.Set in a dystopian future, the story of Metropolis takes place in the titular city which is home to an utopian society where a sharp divide lies between the working class & city planners, as the former works incessantly to keep the machines running to power the city while the latter enjoys a carefree life. The plot follows the son of the city's mastermind who falls in love with a working class prophet who has predicted the coming of a mediator who will solve all their differences.Co-written & directed by Fritz Lang (best known for M), Metropolis is jam-packed with pioneering effects & inventive camera-work and begins with a captivating sequence that firmly establishes the difference between the two classes that reside there. Lang's vision of the future is undoubtedly praiseworthy and he leaves no stone unturned to provide a sense of grandeur to it. The characters, however, aren't as richly defined and fail to leave a lasting mark unlike its futuristic cityscape.From the technical standpoint, Metropolis is nothing short of a marvel. Its meticulously detailed set pieces & elaborate miniatures play a key role in bringing the titular city to life. Cinematography is a major highlight, for it keeps experimenting with different techniques & lighting elements to give the whole picture a surreal touch & mechanical feel, and works in tandem with its revolutionary effects. Lastly, music is ever-present throughout its runtime and is synchronised with the unfolding events.But Metropolis isn't without its shortcomings, even though it isn't responsible for most of them. Its chaotic moments, often depicted in fast-forward mode, appears unintentionally funny at times and undermines the seriousness of the given moment. Editing is an issue, for its pace isn't streamlined and the film as a whole feels quite overlong in the end. It is often the case when you already know the direction it will take but the wait for those turns are often frustrating as few of its moments are overly stretched.Coming to the acting department, the cast consists of Alfred Abel, Gustav Fröhlich, Brigitte Helm & Rudolph Klein-Rogge, with only Helm managing to make a strong impression. Fröhlich is no show- stealer and often oversteps the line, Abel is in firm control of his character and plays his part really well, Klein-Rogge's performance only gets more lunatic as plot progresses, while Helm delivers an act that finds her emotions & expressions on both sides of the extreme but it's in accordance with her character's requirements.On an overall scale, Metropolis is a cleverly envisioned, smartly directed & expertly rendered sci-fi that was unlike anything at its time of release and can still surprise some newcomers despite being 90 years old. I've got nothing but admiration for the level of inventiveness that's present in virtually every frame of this picture but sitting through its overlong & soulless narrative wasn't as rewarding or memorable as I expected. Immortal for its contribution to cinema, pop culture & architecture yet nothing more than just another tick mark on my checklist, Metropolis is timeless, but only in bits n pieces.
