Telegraphing the twist(s) so early means this really plods along while the characters struggle to catch up. Not only that but the premise distances you from caring about any of the characters - as one of them puts it "nothing I do matters". Along with the fact these science fiction concepts have been trotted out previously, this comes off as rather bland and not the least bit involving.

Great source material (see: World on a Wire) but not executed that well. Still an intriguing idea to think about...and stop saying that it's a Matrix copy. The Matrix was most likely influenced by the source material for this.

Oh, puh-leeze! Yet another "what if none of this is real??" movie.

First of all, this was very, very strange to see (not knowing anything about it) right after Inception. On its own terms, it's competent, and it wears its "twists" on its sleeve so I don't think that's the point. Fun and entertaining, it just doesn't reach the psychological or creative heights its genre peers do.

An enjoyable neo-noir-sci-fi-thriller that lacks good direction.

So.Bad.

Mediocre film, but bumping it up slightly for being Sci-Fi without loads of meaningless violence - which really does detract from the intellingence of the genre.

1999 were great for "this world is virtual reality" sci-fi flicks. As "Matrix" is most known and critically acclaimed, and "eXistenZ" is successful on different approach, this film is a bit of let down for me. It is less ambitious, calmer, and some of the sci-fi bits are interesting, but it's focus on romance is very unwelcome and poorly done.

ummmm..what?!

Good pulp sci-fi. I didn't even mind the cheapness, maybe liked it more because of it.

In movies timing is everything. If this had been made around the time of the original novel (impressively written in the 60s. As is most of the great sci-fi. People must have been so starved of wonderous things in that decade), this would have been an all time classic. Sadly, by the time this came out, you'd already seen Fassbinder's version, 'Virtuosity' (if you were so lucky) and you'd be standing in a video store, chosing between this and 'The Matrix'... A fine lowbudget effort nonetheless.

43.250

I love these kind of movies, and even though it came out after The Matrix, The Truman Show, and Dark City, I think it can hold its own against them. I love the stylistic approach to each level, and the ending that reminds you that even the top level is in a sense a simulation. Plus, sci-fi noir is a wonderful genre mix that doesn't get enough screen time in my opinion.

Confusing and NOT much of a thriller! Might need to watch it again to "get" it.

I thought this was quite stylish actually. If you abandon thinking about it as though a comment of Cartesian philosophy, and something more about its layers of fantasy and eroticism, it's much more interesting. The 'real' woman Mrs Fuller is a voyeur, as is Mr Fuller. Much like we can fall in love with Grace Kelly as Frances Stevens... Plus, faux-noir is always such fun.

It's good, but I wish it would have ended earlier. I really can't explain why without ruining the whole movie. By the way, I just had six spam accounts follow me on Twitter. I'm very mad about that.