How can I review a classic film that has been reviewed by so many? And do so without getting political? By being brief...
For 1927, the film looks AMAZING. The lighting, sets, the matte paintings, and of course the Machine Man (who even before the transformation looks pretty darn feminine). The special effects in the inventor's lab scream Frankenstein...
I found some of the acting to be a little heavy-handed, especially Freder and "real" Maria. "Machine" Maria, on the other hand, is downright evil! Thin Man is creepy (as he should be) and Joh Fredersen seems too emotionless. Grot is one of the most human characters.
As for the story itself, with it's rich and poor, and no in-between, people on the Left will claim that is a dream of the Right, and visa versa. I personally am reminded of communist and socialist countries where the workers are conned into believing they are working for the good of the whole, when in reality they don't reap much at all from what they sow.
Again, much can, and no doubt already has, been debated about this film politically.
I would give the movie another star if some of the acting wasn't over-done.
For 1927, the film looks AMAZING. The lighting, sets, the matte paintings, and of course the Machine Man (who even before the transformation looks pretty darn feminine). The special effects in the inventor's lab scream Frankenstein...
I found some of the acting to be a little heavy-handed, especially Freder and "real" Maria. "Machine" Maria, on the other hand, is downright evil! Thin Man is creepy (as he should be) and Joh Fredersen seems too emotionless. Grot is one of the most human characters.
As for the story itself, with it's rich and poor, and no in-between, people on the Left will claim that is a dream of the Right, and visa versa. I personally am reminded of communist and socialist countries where the workers are conned into believing they are working for the good of the whole, when in reality they don't reap much at all from what they sow.
Again, much can, and no doubt already has, been debated about this film politically.
I would give the movie another star if some of the acting wasn't over-done.