His Movie Review: 2046 (2004)

Why he watched it: On a list of science fictions films to see

His rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

His review: With our current access to DVD on demand and streaming services, we tend to save our theater experience for the big blockbuster, with the assumption that special effects are best seen on the big screen. When I’ve later seen these same films on a much smaller screen in a private space, I am reminded that the bigger screen does not make the film better, and that this assumption can limit our enjoyment of other films that lack booming soundtracks and CGI explosions.

I watched this film primarily on a plane flight, on a small phone screen. Even on that small screen, I was mesmerized by the palette of colors and images that Wong created; yet I lamented that I did not have the theater experience that would have allowed me to be immersed in its artistry. Do yourself a favor—watch this film on the best and biggest HD TV you can find.

But this film is more than visuals. At its heart, it is an intricately plotted series of failed romances. The narrative complexity requires attention from the audience, with the narrative cycling forwards and backwards, but it is well worth the diligence as the layers provided insight on each other and on the central character. Unlike peeling an onion to get to the core, here we are peeling the layers to see how they fit back together to create the entire picture.

I look forward to seeing this movie again, something I cannot say for many of those blockbusters. You should seek it out as well—you will not be disappointed.