tdrish Way back in 1996, I rented this movie from the videostore. I got maybe 23 minutes in, and shut it off. Why? Was it a bad movie? In a sense, no. It was not bad. Let's just say I was led down a maze of complex logic, and I got lost in translation, and simply put, I had no idea what was going on. Fast forward 22 years. I recently rented this from Amazon ( can Amazon pick at least one thing, and not dominate it? Just asking), and boy, this did not age well. Now I am watching this film stone cold sober, and still have no idea what I just watched. Sad part is, is that the film is quite interesting, despite its...uh, how do I dare say...its flaws. It involves virtual reality, mixed with loads of dark humor, unusual suspense, and insanity. I don't like this movie, but I don't hate it either. Just because I can't understand a film from a point of view they're trying to get you to see it through, does not make this a 2 star movie. On a negative side, I'd rate this a 4 star movie. However, because the things that work in the film tip the scale on the things that don't work, I'm giving it a 6. ( I can't spoil anything without revealing the things that do and don't work. I hope none of the other reviews spoiled it.) To shoot you straight, in 2018, this movie is just a silly parade of nonsense, and not even Crowe or Washington can save this from a bad act. I wouldn't mind seeing this as a remake. The story needed work. Do you guys hear me? Identify what went wrong with this, fix it, and remake it. Stop remaking movies that aren't broke. ( Yeah! I'm looking at you, Footloose 2011. Come to think of it, I think I'll review you next.) 6 out of 10. Oh, by the way, don't try to figure anything out. Just watch. Watch. That's all you got to do. Watch.

stampede187 I would have been happy to give this sci-fi a 6 for creating a gloriously cheesy 90's flick. It is a cross between the Thirteenth Floor and Demolition Man - both of which I found really fun to watch.Unfortunately, the script was lacking and, with the exception of Denzel, the acting was middling at best. Russell unfortunately ruined what should have been the main focus of attention in this film by hideously overacting the VR serial killers persona. You might say he killed the killers character off himself even before the film had reached the 5 minute mark.Worth a watch only if you are a fan of 80/90's cheesy sci-fi.

wes-connors In the futuristic world of 1999, former policeman Denzel Washington (as Parker Barnes) is released from prison to help catch "virtual reality" android run amok Russell Crowe (as S.I.D. 6.7). At a disadvantage with only a bionic arm, Mr. Washington makes up the difference in determination. He is assisted by Los Angeles blonde Kelly Lynch (as Madison Carter), who comes with a vulnerable nine-year-old daughter. Watch out, Kaley Cuoco, for the man from the cable company. Washington and others keep trying to stop Mr. Crowe with ordinary bullets. Crowe bares his firm buttocks for Stephen Spinella (as Daryl Lindenmeyer). Crowe gets a kick out of killing people, and eats glass to rejuvenate.***** Virtuosity (8/4/95) Brett Leonard ~ Denzel Washington, Russell Crowe, Kelly Lynch, Stephen Spinella

MisterWhiplash Brett Leonard is a name that has fallen by the wayside, and, maybe rightfully so. The director of such a film as The Lawnmower Man didn't really make anything of note since this film Virtuosity (unless one counts Highlander 5: The Source to be of actual quality which is hard to argue for), but there was a time when he knew where to put the camera and shoot as far as action and competency with his actors. The plot of Virtuosity is cut out of other movies to be sure, and would be again (one may be reminded of 12 Monkeys with its convicted man put on a mission by his captors, or even by Batman with its anti-hero and psychotic villain creating chaos all over the city), but, perhaps if only in retrospect, the movies carries some solid entertainment in the near-mindless tradition of loud, stupid Hollywood science fiction movies of the 90's. It's like John Woo lite.There isn't much to the plot except that a former detective (Washington) in prison for killing a man, and a few others, one of whom responsible for the death of his wife and daughter, is put into a virtual reality simulation against a psychotic being (Crowe), who is let into the real world by an asswipe who wants to get back at his bosses or something, and now the mano-a-mano is on in the real world (and, another former movie reference, Escape from NY: finish the mission, get a full pardon, but don't mind the chip in your head that might kill you). The plot is cookie cutter, and there is lack of motivation to some of the action until the over the top climax comes around. But within the silly context of things, it does make sense. And for those who may be tired of the super-fast action cutting of today's product (Bourne, Transformers, Expendables), it is a relief to be able to see what's going on.Will it be amazing for everyone? Probably not. It does have generic plotting and the very end is close to a cop-out. But one big factor in my enjoyment of Virtuosity, on top of the decent action, were the stars, Washington and especially Crowe. The latter gives a performance that is surprising considering where he went to for the rest of his Hollywood career. This is an actor with a lot to prove, and it's ironic considering Crowe is having more diabolical fun as a Terminator-cum-Joker than he has had in most other more serious action oriented roles. Sometimes his mannerisms make the stakes a little crazier, or simply the way he acts across from stoic and concerned Washington that makes it work so. Strange as it might seem, it's really one of Crowe's finest performances, true to the wonky nature of the character and just wicked fun. It's like Crowe's imitation of a Rutger Hauer performance, which is a sight to see on its own.Certainly it's no masterpiece, but Virtuosity has its charms and moments of excitement. It's likely the highpoint of Leonard's career, which may not be saying much, but putting together cool virtual reality sequences (the opening is most thrilling) and two high-caliber stars makes for some fun Saturday afternoon viewing.