THX 1138
Directed & Edited by: George Lucas.
Produced by: Lawrence Sturhahn.
Written by: George Lucas & Walter Murch.
Director of Photography: Albert Kihn & David Myers.
Music by: Lalo Schifrin.
Released by: Warner Brothers.
Country of Origin: USA. 88 min. Rated: R.
With: Robert Duvall, Donald Pleasence & Maggie McOmie.

The original THX 1138 wowed critics with its unprecedented visual style and imagination upon its release in 1971. Most were willing to forgive its dire lack of narrative coherency in exchange for the cutting-edge special effects. But in 2004, with The Matrix, The Lord of the Rings, and director George Lucas's own Star Wars films now well behind us, visual effects are only as impressive as the story they are helping to support. While Lucas has made some radically noticeable visual changes to the director's cut of THX 1138, the plot remains as mind numbing as ever.

The film centers on an emotionless future society where everyone is given a name comprised of letters and numbers. For the first time ever, THX 1138 (Robert Duvall) suffers a mishap at his factory job and wonders what has caused his sudden imperfection. His mate LUH 3417 (Maggie McOmie) has secretly been replacing their drugs in a desperate attempt to feel any kind of emotion. When the authorities become aware of the pair's misconduct, the two are arrested and separated. THX 1138, with the aide of fellow inmate, SEN 5241 (Donald Pleasence), is now searching for an escape from the prison and a reunion with his mate.

THX 1138 is a painful experience. The film borders on imaginative science fiction and the avant-garde, suffering from its inability to commit to either one. Pleasence is about as effective as an actor can be when delivering vacuous, monotone dialogue, but Duvall's performance is confusing. THX is supposed to feel more and more emotion as the drugs wear off, but you wouldn't know it from watching Duvall stare into space the whole time. Even during the film's one engrossing scene, a car chase through a claustrophobic tunnel, Duvall remains stoic even as the law closes in on him.

Lucas has made some drastic changes to the film, and disappointingly shoves it closer in line visually with the last two Star Wars films. The background in many scenes feels as though it is fully animated, an odd backdrop for live-action characters. And the only interesting characters (a group of aluminum cops with zero intimidation factor) are overshadowed by the director's inexplicable insertion of a pack of CGI shell dwelling creatures. In the end, THX 1138 is like a photo album brought to life. If only the captions were a little more insightful, the pictures would have been a little more memorable. Michael Belkewitch
September 4, 2004