Impostor (Director's Cut)

Starring:Gary Sinise, Madeleine Stowe, Vincent D'Onofrio, Tony Shalhoub, Tim Guinee, Mekhi Phifer, Gary Dourdan, Lindsay Crouse, Elizabeth PeÃ±a, Jason Beck (II), Judy Jean Berns, Veena Bidasha, Ellen Bradley, Shane Brolly, Golden Brooks, Brian Brophy, Burt Bulos, Scott Burkholder, Morty Coyle, Yvette Ocampo
Director: Gary Fleder
Studio: Dimension
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com

Based on a short story by sci-fi master Philip K. Dick, Impostor holds considerable appeal for genre enthusiasts, who will instantly recognize trace elements of the Dick-based Total Recall and Blade Runner. Fortunately, derivative plotting doesn't detract from director Gary Fleder's capable handling of briskly paced action involving Spencer Olham (Gary Sinise), a weapons designer suspected of being an alien robot with an assassin's agenda. The year is 2079; Earth is at war with an alien race called the Centauri, and its dome-sealed cities are intensely monitored by the Earth Security Agency. A high-tech chase ensues between Olham and his ESA pursuer (Vincent D'Onofrio), testing the bond of trust between Olham and his physician wife (Madeleine Stowe). This marital subplot gives the film's twist ending additional impact, and Dick's recurring themes of lost identity and drug-altered reality are handled with adequate sophistication, while cool gadgetry and sharp visual effects compensate for the plot holes. --Jeff Shannon

Description

An exciting, action-packed sci-fi story from the author of TOTAL RECALL and BLADE RUNNER, the thrilling Director's Cut of IMPOSTOR brings you Gary Sinise (FORREST GUMP, APOLLO 13), Madeleine Stowe (WE WERE SOLDIERS, PLAYING BY HEART), Vincent D'Onofrio (THE CELL, MEN IN BLACK), and Mekhi Phifer (O, 8 MILE) in a stellar cast. At a time when the earth has been at war with an alien force for over a decade, the latest work of lauded government scientist Spencer Olham (Sinise) promises to save the planet. But suddenly, Olham himself is accused of being an alien spy and is thrown headlong into a disorienting nightmare as a fugitive from the law. With blasts of adrenaline-fueled intensity, this futuristic thriller soars as Olham races to prove his identity to the world ... and himself ... in time to save all mankind!

Customer Reviews:

Do You Know Who You Are?.......2007-07-02

Earth is at war with aliens and Gary Sinise is in charge of a new weapons project that could turn the tide in Earth's favor. But just when the project is about to be completed, Gary is arrested. He is accused of being an alien spy; a clone created to sabotage the project. Gary knows he is not an alien but everyone around him is convinced otherwise. How can Gary prove his innocence when no one is interested in it? He manages to escape custody and goes into hiding. He hatches a desperate plan to show that he really is human. All he has to do is break into a heavily-guarded hospital and gain access to his recent physical records.

Gary manages to enlist the aid of others living under the radar of the authorities and puts his plan in motion. It becomes a race against time and Gary is forced into one last desperate act to prove he is himself. All he has to do is find the alien craft and duplicate that never replaced him. Will he get there before the authorities catch up to him? What will he find? Will it clear him or will there still be doubt? You will have to watch to find out.

What is reality? That is a question that kept Philip K. Dick writing great story after great story. There are two versions of the film on this disk. There is the longer theatrical release and the original shorter version. The difference is the hospital plot. Personally I feel the shorter version works better. The longer version has a small flaw as Gary's tag does not get recorded but works fine right afterwards. Still, the full-length version is enjoyable but the short version is tighter and makes a bit more sense. Check it out.

DO YOURSELF A FAVOR..DONT READ ANY REVIEWS OTHER THAN THIS ONE!!!.......2007-05-19

There are too many folks out there that feel they have to ruin it for everybody by telling you about the surprises in a movie! i guess this makes them smarter than the rest of us . After all we would rather have the experienc ourselves! Just watch the movie and enjoy the unfolding story! Its science fiction so dont look for deep inner meanings....Its a fun movie with exceptional surround sound effects!! I loved it!!!

Does the android Sinise dream of electric sheep? The world may never know..........2007-04-14

If someone were to approach me with money and desperately seek out the actor whose body of work impresses me the most, I think they would be surprised to find that the answer is Vincent D'Onofrio. Outside of his "Law and Order" record, the body of work that he represents is outstanding. The characters that he chooses to portray in each of his films continue to be more and more obscure and random, creating a body of work that is nearly untouched by any other actor in Hollywood. For this, I will forever respect this man and his work. I recently had the pleasure of seeing him in the lower budget science fiction Phillip K. Dick cinematic story "Impostor", and must admit, I was impressed. With little money, a decent budget for visuals, and a cast that from the outside seems impressive, this was a little film that fell well under the radar and never quite saw the light of day. This is not to say the film isn't perfect, because it is far from it, but it did provide me with nearly two hours of guessing, wondering, questioning, and inevitably (after the film was done), hoping for more.

For those that are unwilling to give an unknown film a chance, this was the story of Gary Sinise playing the role of Spencer Olham. He is a very happy scientist that loves his wife and job working for the government. It is the future, and a band of violent aliens is trying to destroy the human race, but we have been resilient. We have built walls over our skies and continually send pilots to attempt to bring down their star ships. This story takes place somewhere in the middle of this chaotic war, where fear becomes a bigger enemy than ally. D'Onofrio plays Hathaway, the leader of a government elite unit specializing in locating spies - and he has found a target - Olham. Hathaway believes that Olham is an android of the human he once was, disguised to allow for easy infiltration and destruction. Hathaway's mission is to destroy this clone, and while he wasn't successful in the past, he knows the truth now. Of course, Sinise is Sinise, and for nearly two hours he runs, inspects, and prepares for what should be the truth - but instead we are handed a diabolical twist that will make any childless film buff happy and any anti-Sinise fan jump for joy. We are left with a vision that is as stunning as it is disturbing, yet for me, I was disappointed. I loved the ending, but questioned the value of the preceding hour of stock "running" footage. The DVD itself contains the short film that this film was based on, and I must admit, I liked that a bit more because it cut the center "filler" out, but also eliminated the illusionist-character element that filled the time slot. It was a give or take, but as you watch the ending, you question the need for it.

I can't give the ending away, so I will divert the conversation elsewhere. Loved the introduction to this film. The history lesson coupled with an opening chapter that slowly fed you subliminal clues to the past. The John Hooker song got my feet bouncing and my juxtaposed mind in gear. Even in the future they listen to great music. The relationship between Sinise and Stowe could have been warmer, the introduction was sensual, but not worth 45 minutes of fighting for. I could not believe they were husband and wife for the brief moments that we saw them together. The struggle with the situation that occurs to Nelson Gittes (played by Tony Shalhoub) again seemed very underplayed. I wanted to see a stronger bond, and not just two sentences of dialog that would attempt to bring to the surface a life long relationship. I loved D'Onofrio, but that has already been said. Mekhi Phifer was just filler, the typical stranger that finds that warm patch in his heart to help a total stranger. We have seen that in any other Hollywood puzzler, and for this film it was no different. So, what I am trying to say is that the acting isn't what stands out with this film, it is the story.

We all know that PK Dick can write an amazing story that withstands the vaults of time, and this is no exception. When you begin watching the film, you may assume you have seen the action before, in other films. You will be half right, until you witness the surprising ending. I thought I had it figured out, but what happened continues to keep a smile on my face. What I missed about this story was the war itself, yet eerily, I liked the internal struggle. I was very reminiscent of what is occurring in our world today. The tale of an overprotective government that is too worried about the treat instead of its people. I wish we could have seen more about the "big weapon" that was going to be a turning point to the war, I think that would have explained the choice for Olham to be targeted - but again, with the shabby acting and stronger story, you have a mixed message that gets sent. The focus becomes blurry and this small review found the short story/film to be stronger than the final verdict. A smaller scale sometimes paint a bolder picture.

Overall, I thought this was a decent film for the small amount of screen time it was given. It kept my attention, while using techinques that are overused in Hollywood, but with "Impostor" it didn't feel used. Something felt fresh about this film, and while I know it wasn't the small actors giving less than 100%, or the overly sweaty Sinise, I think it was the voice and power behind D'Onofrio's character. Honestly, I am not drooling here, but he was great in this film. He was fun, angry, poised, and yet seemingly disturbed all at the right moments. "Impostor" is not a film that I think is a staple of the genre in any way, but it is a sinful delight that surprised me through the end. I would recommend this to friends, but only good friends. Alas, it won't be making my collection, but wouldn't mind catching it on network television one late night. Could I be any more vague?

Oh well, I am reopening "Do Android's Dream of Electric Sheep?"

Grade: *** ½ out of *****

Where did this come from??.......2007-01-12

Its not up there with the quintessential PKD film adaptation Blade Runner but I'm not sure how this slipped through the cracks when compared to Minority Report, Total Recall, Paycheck or Screamers where it easily holds its own. As with all these others, the story line sets a rapid pace, is thought prevoking and concludes with surprising ending with a wonderful twist. Its not got the extravagent hi tech effects of some of the others but a good cast and story line make this less of an issue. Well worth the effort.

A VERY, VERY GOOD SCI-FI FILM: GOOD PDK ADAPTATION.......2006-09-30

This is another film based on a Philip K. Dick story. Spencer Olham (Gary Sinise) portrays a weapon's designer. The year is 2079, and Earth is at war with an alien race called the Centauri. Hathaway (Vincent D'Onofrio) portrays an agent with ESA (Earth Security Agency) In the film, this future world of ours is protected by a dome-like structure to help deter attacks by the Centauri. However, the Centauri have become devious in this war. For instance, the Centauri use human clones who do not know they are clones about to discharge on a selected que, but real humans: Typical and great P.K. Dick theme of altered reality.

Maya Olham (Madeline Stowe) portrays Spencer's wife. She works at a V.A. Hospital treating the wounded soldiers fighting this war. And her role in the film is extremely important. When Spencer returns to work, he finds himself being accused of being one these clone-like destructive devices about to detonate when his time is ready: The clones are programmed to detonate on a certain que. While he is about to be tortured by Hathaway, Spencer frees himself and sets about to prove that he is innocent and not the Centauri robot he is accused of being.

There is a good mystery element in the film. Although we never see the Centauri, other than their warships blasting at Earths protective shield, the film's focus is mainly on the identity of a man, and his attempts to prove himself innocent. This is a very effective film. I will not give away the film's ending, and although this film follows a typical P.K. Dick ending in its resolution, it is still surprising nonetheless. The film is action paced, and the supporting roles of D'Onofrio as the agent in pursuit of Spencer (Sinise) and Maya (Stowe) as Spencer's wife are great. Highly recommended. You will enjoy it, especially if you are a fan of Philip K. Dick. [Stars: 4.5]

Average customer rating:

Do You Know Who You Are?
DO YOURSELF A FAVOR..DONT READ ANY REVIEWS OTHER THAN THIS ONE!!!
Does the android Sinise dream of electric sheep? The world may never know...
Where did this come from??
A VERY, VERY GOOD SCI-FI FILM: GOOD PDK ADAPTATION

Impostor
Starring: Gary Sinise , Madeleine Stowe , Vincent D'Onofrio , Tony Shalhoub , and Tim Guinee
Director: Gary Fleder
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $14.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( I ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Screamers
The Thirteenth Floor
The Whole Wide World
Claire Dolan
The Velocity of Gary

ASIN: B000068QKR