Review of The Thirteenth Floor (1999) by David D — 14 Mar 2013

The Thirteenth Floor is worth watching because its plot is just so darn interesting. Even when you think you know the why, it is a compelling enough movie to keep you watching to witness the how. The plot rightfully will draw comparisons to the Matrix and Inception (with its questions of what is real and what is not), but I like a comparison I read online to Frankenstein.

Like the Mary Shelley classic, the movie questions if something created to emulate life can possess a soul. Can you really ruin the life of a person who is actually just computer data? Most characters in the movie do not think so, which makes it interesting to see how their (probably careless) actions affect people who might not actually exist.

The film stumbles a bit in the acting. I liked Craig Bierko - who plays the lead - to a degree, but his performance lacks in its emotional resonance. Gretchen Mol and Vincent D'Onofrio both do decent jobs, but Armin Mueller-Stahl is definitely the most compelling actor of the bunch.

The film also employs a love motif - because what movie doesn't - and basically fails at it. The impact is non-existent, mostly because of Bierko's acting and a lack of chemistry with Mol. The Thirteenth Floor has a few holes in its plot and a share of flaws, but it is - overall - a very compelling and interesting movie.

At the very least, it is a unique watch and worth it because movies that are different are hard to find.