For me at least this is the original computer movie, a few have followed and a few came before, but this is the defining movie. The graphics that represent what is going on in the computers and the way that the Hackers manoeuvres are visually depicted as they move from one file to another are laughable. It takes a different tack from that of the matrix that expected the watcher to believe the operators could see pictures within rapidly streaming lines of code. Instead they create vivid 3D pictures and try and represent data flowing through a computer and processor.
It certainly makes the inside of my computer far more interesting.
A child prodigy, the 11 year old kid who manages to crash more computers in a single sitting than anyone has ever managed is banned from using computers until his 18 birthday - at that point he begins his antics once again, never hurting anyone but most certainly enjoying himself. Using the net to gain revenge on those who mock him, in the process trying to woo Angelina Jolie, a rather young looking Angelina in fact that bears a striking resemblance to a Vulcan.
They pit their wits against a corrupt computer engineer at a massive company who run a super computer. The film follows the authorities who try and chase them down, framing them for every little computer niggle that can be identified, yet they persist and run the battle right to the end.
The ending is actually a little too feel good and mushy for the tone of the film all the way through and is almost an after thought, it is certainly true that enough has gone before that the ending is insignificant.
I don't think you have to love computers to watch this, but you cant be a technophobe, for those people this would be like a nightmare, convincing you of certain doom the minute you use a computer. In fact it almost serves to demystify the world of computers, making them somewhat softer and less intimidating to the average person. it shows that not all is bad on the outside of the authorities.
I happen to like this movie because it is just fun to watch. If I'm bored, I can easily become unbored by watching this movie. The soundtrack is awesome and it introduced me to electronic music. I never liked it until I saw "Hackers". I love the clothes and the visuals. I knew it wasn't accurate from the minute I saw it, but then again, it's not like it was posing itself as some movie that depicted the real life of cyberpunks. It's just fun little movie. Though some of the dialogue is a bit cheesed up, it is quotable.
My husband and I found this to be a great family movie. Both of us and our kids love computers, and therefore any movie that includes hackers, or where the story line is based on computer crimes. Jolie is witty, provocative and on top of her game in this movie. The movie is about a group of kids who happen to be computer hackers; they have been set up by a fellow "dark side" hacker to take the fall for him stealing tons of money. I found the way the kids got him back fun and original. Enjoy the movie with a big bowl of popcorn and your favourite drink.
Films & Cinema