Very disappointing...

Plot so thin, it passes unnoticed.

This film is so real. It treats its characters with so much care and sensitivity.

.Like the great film, it's made with a great deal of visible affection both in front of and behind the camera.

According to a 1975 interview in Rolling Stone anything Philip K. Dick published before 1970 he wrote while on amphetamines. He was a drug user for much of his life but stated that "A Scanner Darkly" (1977) was the first complete novel he had written without speed. He cited this novel as his best work, feeling that he "had finally written a true masterpiece after 25 years of writing". A Scanner Darkly is based on his personal drug experiences, which possesses paranoia, increasing confusion, hallucinations and psychosis throughout. The film was first shot in live-action and then the live footage was animated over (a process known as rotoscoping).

Being the Linklater fan that I am I was quite shocked to see him do a Science Fiction film. While I love him he doesn't seem like the type of director that could pull off a film like this when I think of Phillip K. Dick or Science Fiction in general. But surprisingly Linklater makes one of the most mind bendingly masterful science fiction films that I have ever seen. A Scanner Darkly is a film that before you go in you have to get prepared to have your mind blown. That's all I can really say because my mind is spinning after watching this.The animation is truly magnificent as it seems almost real because technically it is. Linklater shot all of this in live action and had an animation team animate over the actors. That's insane! Surprisingly even though this takes place in the future (2013 to be exact) it's quite shocking how Linklater realistically portrayed what the world would look like in that span of time. It isn't a grimy post apocalypse look or an Orwellian utopia, if anything it looks like how the present is.As expected the performances are great with some funny lines that Linklater always has. Keanu plays a character I can only describe as Neo in the present day but instead of leading the war on machines he's leading the war on drugs. Robert Downey Jr. feels reminiscent of Hunter T. Thompson with his erratic behavior and insane characteristics. Woody Harrelson is great as usual playing a pretty believable stoner which only makes me wonder if this is Woody in real life. Winona Ryder is great in her even more mind bending role in this film. I won't give away what's so mind bending about it so I'll just say this, Winona Ryder is very pretty.If I had to compare the complexities of the story A Scanner Darkly is as complicated as Inherent Vice but even more so at points and I think that's what Linklater was going for. You are Bob in this film. You're slowly losing your mind as you go down this rabbit hole of drugs and madness. Linklater captures Phillip K. Dick's paranoid mind set that is shown in his other work vividly. I know Kaufman was involved with the project very early on but surprisingly I'd say that no one could have done a better job than Linklater on this project. I think this is possibly Linklater's most profound piece next to Boyhood.If you seek for a Science Fiction film that will truly get you thinking look no further than A Scanner Darkly. Linklater's most under appreciated film proves that he can stretch beyond the bounds of what we're used to seeing with him (which I still love). Come for the brain churning visuals, stay for the mind twisting story.

This is more of a 7.5 out of ten for me. It was a good drama but the plot could be at times just as confusing as Bob Arctor's life. It all however makes sense in the end but obviously throughout the movie you do not know that. In the end the characters and conversations were great, the twist at the end was great and the overall "D"-atmosphere (you'll get this reference when you watch it) was conveyed quite well and in which was complemented and even enhanced by the bold and daring visuals. As far as the visuals are concerned it is in my experience that people either love it or hate it. But don't let that discourage you! You will be pleasantly surprised even if the visuals aren't your thing. The only other issue I had was the lack of action. To compensate though this dark drama gives you rich and interesting characters and a mind-bending even disturbing plot. Enjoy!Dolan Brula

Pros: The characterization and antics of drug addicts comes off compelling and believable.The portrayal of the future is very unique. It doesn't hit any of the dystopian archetypes that are so common in current blockbusters.The art style really complements the plot. Its clearly an animated, but at the same time it feels very realistic, just as the plot is very far fetched and strange at points, yet is still grounded in very plausible ideas.There is a good amount of humor from the quick witted banter and quotable lines of Robert Downey Jr.'s character. I can see how some of this dialogue could inspire the rapid fire delivery of sarcasm and humor in his later roles as Iron Man and Sherlock Holmes.Cons: Certain key elements of the ending seem very predictable.Some of the actions by Keanu Reaves character don't seem to line up with his goals or even with his own voice overs. This can be partially explained by his addiction, but I still feel his character didn't always come off real.The art style may be a turn off to some. I would definitely recommend giving it a chance because it grew on me