Electroma Review

[nspurway]

Whilst Daft Punk may have stunned fans with Interstella 5555, Electroma takes the cake. It may not be a musical synth pop adventure for the whole family, but it certainly is one for the viewer who likes thier senses challenged.
The story is well written, with the directors putting up a fight in post-modern cinematography, and the visual effects are just stunning (like when the robots are in the white latex room).
Daft Punk pulled it off - and I am not happy to hear people walking out in the Cannes Film Festival premiere due to the extensive hiking sequence - a sequence which not only is my favourite, but struck a chord of sadness.
The angry mob that chases them is not with clubs and torches, but rather, marches firmly in unison, defying what cinema-goers would expect, and frankly, scares me more than any other mob sequence I have seen.
The hiking sequence which takes up about half the movie is just so tragic. The realisation that these two robots cannot go on (especially Hero Robot Number 1) is truly immense. The ultimate question of "Can you kill me because I can't go on" cliche is reworked - with no music, no dramatic effects, just a simple explosion that makes the second robot look on.
The fact that you can't see emotions in this film is particularly clever, like the realisation that Robot No. 2 cannot "activate" himself, you have to imagine yourself as being there and being saddened.
The final sequence of the robot setting himself on fire, and walking through darkness is visually, amazing, not to mention Thomas Baltanglier who did visual effects pulled off the amazing white room chapter, and the immense task of making sure the ultra reflecting masks did not reveal the crew. The fire scene is immensly heart wrenching.
After seeing this, and after reading how unfavourably people were put off by the long hiking chapter, I have nothing but praise for Daft Punk. This is not a movie for the average moviegoer. No no. For this, someone with an open mind and who is prepared to see the concepts of cinematography pushed beyond its limits should see this.
Once again, Daft Punk amazed us all. And for those of you who disliked it, try to keep and open mind, for this, after comparing it to movies currently screening, is a masterpiece. 4.5 stars out of 5.

Daft Punk's Electroma is out now on DVD in Australia and the USA.
Reviewed by nspurway (Nick Spurway) on July 4, 2007

[Daft Punked]

upon watching the DVD i recently bought I have to admit I enjoyed it the second time round.

I guess it's just cuz of the DVD clarity over the internet leak lol

[DaftSnow]

thanks for the review! i certainly liked it as well. and did realize and ask myself how hard it must have been to not reflect a bunch of random stuff with their helmets..

[boutboulman]

I watched it in the car on my laptop coming home from uni. I was starting to wonder what was going on as they walked and walked and walked some more.
Five minutes later my mum turns round and asks me why I'm crying. I think if the batteries hadn't died and I'd seen the fire sequence as a continuation, I would have bawled my eyes out. Even thinking about hero robot number 2 now just makes me sad.
It's an emotionally powerful movie, and it's a movie people should see.
Loved it.

And it's amazing how you can read every ounce of emotion that the two robots portray despite not seeing their faces or hearing their voices. Kudos to the two actors as much as anything else.

[melkoret]

Didnt know it was out on DVD...I'll have to go pick that up!

[JJGHWULL]

Professional music debateurs (people wo discuss, and are really into the background and so on) say the movie is nothing special. I can translate that what they have written over the film but it would cost me some time.

I still need to see the movie full, just waiting for the DVD release, it's gonna be pretty enogh for me cause I like the fact it's more art than movie, ideal for a next trip

[Pauly]

Thanks for the review im plaining to get the movie next week sometime depending if there is a sale or not haha

[hani]

Luckily, Electroma will be released on DVD in Poland too... I can say that this movie is a true masterpiece - cinematography by Thomas Bangalter is an ass-kick, truly. Also, I really enjoyed watching efforts of the two protagonists - I'm amazed how they expressed all those feelings just with move - those blank mask looks were amazing. Of course, cinematography was a big helper in expressing those feelings, but... well, I love this movie

[dowzerr]

I liked the movie. Its very intense and sad. I love the opening sequence in the car. Did any of you notice the desert > naked lady pubic hair scene?

[nspurway]

What is this strange scene? haha...
spurway.