I didn’t go to see Ultraviolet because I thought it would be great. I just wanted to see Milla Jovovich kick ass. And did she ever. Most of the story didn’t make sense, the music was overly dramatic, the dialogue was often cheesy, but in general the movie was, as my son said, “Sweet!�
The movie was written and directed by Kurt Wimmer, but you were made to think that it’s a comic book adaptation. The opening credits are actually a series of comic book covers for the fictitious Ultraviolet comic book. The credits appear on the covers as they change. It’s a nice homage to comic books and comic book adaptations.
The two great things about this movie are the gadgets, such as the disposable cell phones and the multi-dimensional weapons, and the fight scenes. In one fight scene, Violet is surrounded by a gang of men on a rooftop. She of course, defeats them, but she hardly has to kill any of them herself. Before the fight breaks out, she is standing in the middle of the gang. The gang members all point their guns at her. When the shooting stars, they all end up shooting each other. They would of course since they are all in the line of fire. How many times have you ever watched a movie and thought this would happen? It does in this one, which is really cool if you ask me. The scene actually reminded me of the rooftop shootout in the first Matrix movie, with the slow motion gun shots. It’s far more fun though.
Now a word about the story…I didn’t really catch much of it. I also can’t be sure that there was a story, since most of it the plot was confusing. I really just wanted to see Milla Jovovich kick ass – I think I mentioned that earlier – so I really didn’t care. Oh, and her hair was awesome – see the blog on the Fifth Element. I want hair that changes color with the touch of a button! That’s so sweet.
PS If you see this movie, count the number of women in it as characters other than Violet. There aren't any, are there? It's the same in Underworld: Evolution, where Selene is the only woman. And the Fifth Element. Interesting, eh?
at March 11, 2006 11:27 PMI didn't see this movie, but I wanted to comment because Jim Gironimi said it was horrible. He thought the first 30 minutes were really great but that the rest was just one redundant fight scene after another.
Maybe it's about expectations. Maybe he was expecting something more along the lines of The Matrix, which is also what I thought it sounded like. But perhaps, going to the movie expecting it to be one mindless, redundant fight scene after another is the true key to enjoyment.
Posted by: Jill at March 14, 2006 12:41 PMIt was a lot like a video game. I didn't comment on that in my original posting, but upon further consideration, that whole opening sequence could be a video game. She has to pass all the levels to get to the boss. If you have ever played video games you have seen this before. There is a part in the sequence where Violet goes racing across buildings on her motorcycle in which the whole look of it seems computer generated. I seems intentional and not just bad special effects. I also think the way she accessed her weapons is very similar to how it works in a video game. You press button B and access your list of weapons and magically pull one out.
This blending of comic books, video games and films is just getting started. Look through some of the upcoming releases or past releases that are based on video games or comic books/graphic novels, such as V for Vendetta and Silent Hill. The movie industry needs food for the masses and there's no better matter than stuff that's proven to sell. They are even making a movie version of "Welcome Back, Kotter" so you know they are in need of material.
Posted by: Hope at March 16, 2006 12:21 PMWhen UltraViolet was released as a preview a while back...I got to thinking...Resident Evil 3, right? Am I right? Wrong. I actually accepted the horrible reviews and expected a bunch of copy cat crap when the movie started, but when the movie was finished. I smiled. I was satisfied. This had nothing to do with Resident Evil or Aeon Flux. This was UltraViolet, and it rocked! It was also very unique, and it gave us something new to look at! The music was awesome! I could feel the burn as the music was booming and the techno was smoothing. I didn't get the plot until I watched it again, but that's okay. Now, I've watched it 22 times, and still, I can't get enough of it!!! Milla Jovovich has brought a new comic book character to life and I'm absolutely satisfied! I also heard a rumor that UltraViolet was going to be an Animated Series! Please let it be! Oh, by the way, I wonder what Paul has in store for us now with re3: Extinction? It better be good, or I'm pissed. The ending of re2: Apocalypse ruined everything!!!
Posted by: Corey Troup at July 13, 2006 2:10 AMI admit, Violet as a character was awesome. I'd love to see an animated series with that character. I've been meaning to watch this movie again to see if it gets better. Sometimes you just don't get into a movie until you've seen it a dozen or so times. So, Corey, thanks for your comments. I think this will be the next movie I rent.
Posted by: hope at July 13, 2006 3:02 PMI just seen Ultravoilet yesterday and usually I dont get into the futuristic type movies with weird gadgets, but I liked everything about this movie. Unlike most movies with difficult storylines this one was still fun to watch, even if you dont get whats going on. I also like how Voilent didn't get a scratch on her from barely any of the men she fought, I guess it just goes to show women kick ass. ;)
Posted by: Trish at July 14, 2006 8:41 AMNow, you mention that in the rooftop fight scene she doesnt kill any of them herself..
thats fine an dandy..
but before the Matrix, there was Equilibrium.
This barely heard of movie with Christian Bale (our New Batman in Batman Begins), who lives in a world very much like Fahrenheit 451.
I wont go into the plot. Its a great movie and you should see it for yourself. But in it, they did something better than sword/gun fighting that is derivative of such films as the Matrix or Kill Bill.
Its a sort of Gun-fu.. Martial artists trained in the use of minimizing the hit ratio from gun fights.. So.. its like a defensive Kung Fu, for dodging bullets depending on rate of fire, weapon used, direction of bullet.. etc.
which makes the fighting much more realistic because it MAKES SENSE how and why they fight the way they do. This one seems somewhat silly in that she fights this way simply because she is some amazingly gifted so and so.. and the baddies kill each other as well. In a much more interesting visual style.
Now.. I love Fifth element and Kill Bill and Milla Jovovich.. but this just seems like a very expensive (mostly due to CGI) excuse to see Milla kick ass. Frankly the fighting may be a little more inspired than Aeon Flux, but I thought the point of watching and making movies.. was that it was something to learn from.. that they had a good message and a story and did something more for you than eat the money out of your pocket.. or is that just me?
Maybe others are satisfied with just having their brains eaten out due to bright colors and boring stolen fight sequences, augmented by gratuitous fan service due to a scantily clad type casted actress.. But I sure as hell am not.
Posted by: KateZ at August 1, 2006 8:19 PMThanks for the review. I have been working on movie reviews myself and set up a blog at Coldleftovers.com. Stop in and let me know what you think.
David Lay
Posted by: David Lay at July 11, 2007 1:25 PMThanks for the review.
Posted by: Femina at February 10, 2008 6:53 AMUltraviolet is not a new comic book character, I have seen the old comics in comic book stores and NOW there is no info online about the old character and everyone is acting like Kurt Wimmer created this character WTF? anyone???
Posted by: Sun at November 11, 2008 12:45 AM