The Thirteenth Floor

A very complex sci-fi story. I've had to watch it several times to really appreciate the details which are wonderful and unexpected.

Great entertaining DVD!

This became another of my favorite sci-fi/thriller movies, totally unexpectedly.  The simulation reality concept in this movie is not as complicated as the multiverse reality concept in such mind-blowing sci-fi masterpieces as "Shutter Island" or "Coherence (2013)."  I could pretty easily figure out which universe was this and that. It surely was entertaining.

Good acting (especially from D'Onofrio), and an interesting and sometimes surprising story.I almost gave it four stars, but the plot holes (the unrealistic world-building design choices that had to be made in order to make the plot work) were just too silly and annoying to forgive. The guy wouldn't leave a message in the simulation; he'd leave it in his world. They wouldn't have designed the "hosting" (and lost time) element that way (it's just too insane and disruptive to the simulated world). And as soon as the "awakening into the outer world" mechanic were discovered in the real world, there's no way anyone would use the system again. So the man, the woman, and the dad are now all out of work and will have to find another way to make a living (maybe flipping burgers). But they glossed over that in the happy ending.

By the time I had seen this film on video, I had already seen the two films it is often compared to, THE MATRIX and DARK CITY, and although I have enjoyed both of these motion pictures on numerous occasions, I still find that I can always watch THE THIRTEEN FLOOR and get drawn back in.It could very well be that what other reviewers are critical of about this movie is what actually makes me like it all the more; namely that science fiction that makes up a large part of the story line is not so complicated as to overpower the film noir-like quality this movie also possesses. The plot remains simple yet provocative, particularly after one encounters the plot twist near the end of the movie.And it is that plot twist that provides one of the reasons why I slip this DVD of this movie into my player twice as often as I do those other two films..... With The Matrix and with Dark City, I am made to question the reality of the environment I live in; with The Thirteenth Floor, I am forced to examine the very foundation of my own existance. Deep concepts indeed...and from such a simple movie too!Besides that, I loved Fuller's 1937 simulation world, from the slightly sepia cast that colored everything, to the slightly edgy quality of the music in the cabaret (The program, like all computer programs, still had a few bugs in it....).OK...I will agree that the plot, though simple, still managed to show more depth than any of the characters within it ....and the scene at the very end of the film could have been fleshed out more. BUT with that one star taken away, I still would recommend this movie....Rent it and see it and find out I mean. Get a copy for your collection when you want to see it again.....I did.

If you are longing for something that is NOT a Vampire or Werewolf and maybe NOT blowing something up in outer space, BUT STILL would like an edgy Sci-Fi drama....you may have found the right place to enjoy one.Originally, this was released on DVD and like other similar movies, like Dark City, received mediocre reviews at best. It also shares the same issues of "What would you classify it as just not only being one type but adding a mystery and love interest twist to it as many do now that Sci-Fi has changed over the years to keep our interest.The Screen play was very well done as it is easy to follow this story line. Sometimes there are little visual points in the show that they go to and you get into a rhythm of where they might be lurking to be picked up..very interesting as well as a high entertainment factor. For instance, a scene changes from what you would think is the present time, like 2010, to a period in the late 1920s and the production company really makes you believe it could actually happen the way the story is being shown. The details are flawless and later in the special feature, they explain how they added soft CGI to get the effects that, to Me, DID Nail this completely together...a great job!The Video and Audio did gain good improvements color correction and effects; sound stage and placement was well refined and detailed in the loss less domain. good transfer over the DVD and well worth the cost even if you already own the DVD to purchase the Blu-ray.As with many that have got into this offering, they all tell me they must see it more than once and wonder how these get under the radar types keep coming out for our enjoyment. If you like Dark City, you may like this one too (A little less fantasy)So please don't pass this bargain up unless you're only looking at Missile Command for substance.

This movie seems well made and is easy to follow even though it's about time travel (or jumps between a couple virtual worlds and the controlling world). The action and the acting are easy to enjoy and see as genuine. It's more science fiction than an enjoyable drama, meaning the acting didn't transcend the material for me at least. The acting was good but possibly too contrived (or possibly the writing is what I mean). Any which way, it's a captivating show in that it let's you ponder whether or not our perceived current existence is simply a simulation played by master souls on a ship somewhere out there.

Like other versions of Plato's "Allegory of a Cave" such as "The Matrix" and "The Truman Show" this interesting story leaves you wondering about what is "reality" and how can we ever be certain about what is genuinely real.

I remember seeing this film years ago my first introduction to Vincent D'onofrio, Until recently I had only that first viewing to go by, not being able to remember its title. Then I saw a trailer for it on a different DVD.This film is stylishly shot, as the main character says, the colour in the 30s could do with a bit of improvement.Its nicely paced and, until you reach the end, the surprise, which is hinted at, is different to what you would expect but at the same time just what you are led to believe. That is what a good film should leave you with

Praise to the excellent direction and screenplay to Josef Rusnak and team!From magnificent Daniel F. Galouye's book "Simulacron 3"The plot may look simple at first sight, the world has created a new world within through the use of technology, but the story will lead us to an even unknown dimension that not even The Matrix would as clearly set as The Thirteenth Floor. The music, rendering and camera angles just fit the standards (higher than the average though) and there's a thick and refined work in here where Gretchen Mol and Vincent D'Onofrio take most credit for a delighting performance. The the pace is, to my concern, dedicated to the complexity of the characters and the implications of a parallel life and even life after death, rather than tricky special effects. That's maybe why this film did not hit a wider audience?More questioning reality on film making please, this planet needs this!Definitely a film worth watching twice, keeping and cherishing.

Whilst visiting a virtual world he has helped design(a perfect recreation of 1930's Los Angeles), computer programmer Hannon Fuller(Armin Mueller-Stahl) leaves a message in the virtual world for his friend Douglas Scott(Craig Bierko) to discover. He then returns to the real world and is brutally murdered. Scott awakes the next morning with bloodstained clothes in his bin, and no recollection of what he did the night before. With the police suspecting him of murder, and too many questions unanswered, Scott decides to visit the virtual world himself to try to solve the mystery of his friends death. He then travels back and forth between worlds, as the mystery deepensPart Film Noir, part cyber thriller, this multi layered film is full of atmosphere and many twists and turns. There is probably one twist too many at the end, but the film is intelligent and ambitious and can only be applauded for its intentions.You will be questioning your own reality by the time the credits roll.Highly recommended. 5 out of 5

The premise upon which the film is based is thought-provoking. The 1930s backdrop, which forms part of the plot, is well done. The lead, however, struck us as miscast and he failed to engage us emotionally. If one imagined the film with, say, a young Harrison Ford, it would have been great.