Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

Amazon.com

The original cowriter and director of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas was Alex Cox, whose earlier film Sid and Nancy suggests that Cox could have been a perfect match in filming Hunter S. Thompson's psychotropic masterpiece of "gonzo" journalism. Unfortunately Cox departed due to the usual "creative differences," and this ill-fated adaptation was thrust upon Terry Gilliam, whose formidable gifts as a visionary filmmaker were squandered on the seemingly unfilmable elements of Thompson's ether-fogged narrative. The result is a one-joke movie without the joke--an endless series of repetitive scenes involving rampant substance abuse and the hallucinogenic fallout of a road trip that's run crazily out of control. Johnny Depp plays Thompson's alter ego, "gonzo" journalist Raoul Duke, and Benicio Del Toro is his sidekick and so-called lawyer Dr. Gonzo. During the course of a trip to Las Vegas to cover a motorcycle race, they ingest a veritable chemistry set of drugs, and Gilliam does his best to show us the hallucinatory state of their zonked-out minds. This allows for some dazzling imagery and the rampant humor of stumbling buffoons, and the mumbling performances of Depp and Del Toro wholeheartedly embrace the tripped-out, paranoid lunacy of Thompson's celebrated book. But over two hours of this insanity tends to grate on the nerves--like being the only sober guest at a party full of drunken idiots. So while Gilliam's film may achieve some modest cult status over the years, it's only because Fear and Loathing is best enjoyed by those who are just as stoned as the characters in the movie. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

the impossible accomplished..........2007-09-07

I think the best way to describe this film as ON THE ROAD meets THE NAKED LUNCH on 'shrooms... Road trip films, of course are a dime a dozen... this one, however, in my book holds its ground -- but its not for everybody.

I feel what's great about it is that it seems to accomplish the near impossible:
In the past films have been made about people messed up on drugs...
In all honesty, watching people tripping on acid is only amusing for so long... virtually anytime you see someone on acid do in a film eventually comes across as an exploitational cliche you've seen millions of times before... the big come down's and bad trips... the flashbacks, a good vomit... then Jack Webb comes out and lectures you on the dangers of reefer and dope...
Or how about when film let the viewer experience the trip by doing funny things with the color and sound of the film, or even suddenly having a reverse negative shot with a guy in a monster mask, and zooming to the horrified druggie screaming, "My face! My face! Some one's eaten my face!" - - that too is only interesting for so long...

But this film does something very different... It is a COHERENT road trip story as told through the eyes of a guy who's - - well very messed up on acid.... We take the trip with him literally - - and yes, the psychedelic imagery is there, but along with it are the people and places and the narrative... Amidst all the weirdness, the film is a delight to follow... and classic Gilliam (sick, bizarre and funny.) And yes, as the acid kicks in and out, things get strange... however, the narrative observations make the special effects more than special effects and guide you through the journey...

Ultimately, let's face it, Vegas may very well be a good symbol of all that is loathsome, cheap and sleazy in America - - and it is a place where often the real does meet the surreal in bad taste, but via the film and novel, the surrealism of "American Kiche", and the mundane and ridiculous are taken to an extreme that is well worth the watch...

In conclusion: A film NOT for everybody, but if you're like me, an amateur social anthropologist with a love from "schlockus americanus" as well as the 60's and 70's, and both fascination with and disdain for American popular culture, this is a film that is visually as well as intellectually entertaining... dare I even say funny. - - If however, you don't share this bizarre little fetish of mine and can't appreciate the film's cynical tongue in cheek humor... then I'll be honest: you won't like it very much.

P.S. If you like this film, I strongly suggest getting your hands on Zappa's 200 MOTELS if it ever gets reissued again. I also dare say if you liked it, you'd probably dig the FIRESIGN THEATRE as well...

Three things about "Fear and Loathing".......2007-08-02

There's only three things I can say about this movie:
1. It is the dark side of Cheech and Chong.
2. It is Fellini on LSD.
3. It is Gillian's best movie since "Brazil".

satisfied customer.......2007-07-27

my item arrived in brand new condition and i was very happy with my purchase.
great movie, funny as hell

What Is Happening Here?.......2007-07-26

Does anyone understand this? I watched with my cat and my cat fell asleep. I think the movie is a tricky joke by the bald man with the half-hair on his face sides (is he the teenager police from Telemundo Jump Show?) No movie would have a toaster in the bath. Why does the half-hair face man talk out of the side of his mouth? Why do they like riding horses that are not real? This movie has silly hair and sneaky talkings; I would say not to watch with any animals, especially sleepy cat.

psychedelia, del toro and depp- a good combination.......2007-07-26

this movie really captivated me. as soon as i watched it, i knew that i had to buy it. from the acting to the story, i really enjoyed all of it.

Average customer rating:

Now this is how older films on HD-DVD should look...
Fantastic film
Very good quality
Debauchery in high def
Buyer Beware

Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas (HD DVD)
Starring: Johnny Depp Benicio Del Torro , and Eric Stoltz
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: HD DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

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

General | HD DVD | Formats | DVD | Video

Comedy | HD DVD | Formats | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

ASIN: B000GFLEJA
Release Date: 2006-09-26

Customer Reviews:

Now this is how older films on HD-DVD should look..........2007-06-26

...older, meaning more than 4-5 years old (or earlier generation dvd's). I read the great reviews of the transfer and have seen my share of disappointing high-def discs already. So I was skeptical when I bought it. This is one of the best (funniest) movies ever.

Well, I first watched the opening scene and some parts of my Criterion version (which had been a better standard transfer) on my 56 HD-RPTV. It used to look great on my 32" tube TV. It looked terrible on the bigger screen of course, making me scared of another cruddy HD transfer like my Sleepy Hollow or the Game (worst ever so far).

After the first few seconds of the opening scene, let alone the rest of the movie, I loved this transfer (HD-DVD). Now this is how "somewhat older" films should look like on HD-DVD! Absolutely amazing colors, contrast and sharpness. The vegas lights look fantastic as do the rest of the colors in this "trip". No annoying digital noise, a few specs of dust on the film which I never mind, and the dust/smoke is rendered beautifully. The DD+ soundtrack is great and it has a DD True soundtrack even though most of us at this point can't take full advantage of it. What a fantastic job this is- I'm loving it.

Fantastic film.......2007-04-27

I only own a hand full of HD DVD's. But this one is by far the best looking of the lot. Great picture. Very clear. Amazing colours. Fantasic film.

Very good quality.......2007-03-22

We all know about fear and loathing's story line (which is superb and incredibly funny), however my review is of the quality of the content (compared to the standard DVD which I also own).

Nothing is simple in the world of technology - and simply buying an HD-DVD does not mean that the sound & picture is going to be the best money can buy, I purchased full metal jacket on HD-DVD and was dissapointed by the quality of it. Fear & Loathign is quite the opposite....

I was blown away by the picture and sound quality - compared to other HD-DVD's I own this one is by far the best, the picture is so clear you can see the pores on johhny depps face.

I would seriously reccomend this product over the standard DVD.

Debauchery in high def.......2007-03-21

One of the themes of this film is the sad end of the summer of love culture of the 1960's. Dr. Gonzo's polydrug-induced debauchery, symbolic of this, is fully detailed in this good transfer, to the point that viewers may have to look away from time to time. Del Torro deserved some kind of award for what he went through.

Buyer Beware.......2007-03-10

Don't worry about the content if you know the movie is a hilarious drug-induced adventure in insanity, and Las Vegas. Instead, don't buy the HD DVD version unless you have an HD DVD player. This product does not play on a regular DVD player. I had to return my first order and reorder the DVD version. This movie is difficult to find in the movie store, at least in my neck of the woods; so ordering it from Amazon was a logical decision. Fortunately, the customer service reps handled the issue, refunding all of my money. Don't make the same mistake I did -it takes a long time to go through the return/refund process.

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas - Criterion Collection

Average customer rating:

the impossible accomplished...
Three things about "Fear and Loathing"
satisfied customer
What Is Happening Here?
psychedelia, del toro and depp- a good combination

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas - Criterion Collection
Starring: Johnny Depp , Benicio Del Toro , Tobey Maguire , Ellen Barkin , and Gary Busey
Director: Terry Gilliam
Manufacturer: Criterion
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

DTS | Fully Loaded DVDs | Features | DVD | Video

( F ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Drama | Criterion Collection | Stores | DVD | Video

Comedy | Criterion Collection | Stores | DVD | Video

All | Criterion Collection | Stores | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

ASIN: B00007ELDF
Release Date: 2003-02-18

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

the impossible accomplished..........2007-09-07

Three things about "Fear and Loathing".......2007-08-02

There's only three things I can say about this movie:
1. It is the dark side of Cheech and Chong.
2. It is Fellini on LSD.
3. It is Gillian's best movie since "Brazil".

satisfied customer.......2007-07-27

my item arrived in brand new condition and i was very happy with my purchase.
great movie, funny as hell

What Is Happening Here?.......2007-07-26

psychedelia, del toro and depp- a good combination.......2007-07-26

this movie really captivated me. as soon as i watched it, i knew that i had to buy it. from the acting to the story, i really enjoyed all of it.

Average customer rating:

I thought he was just tense
good movie BUT HELP which one to buy??
good movie
get it!
"As your attorney, I'd advise you to buy this DVD."

Where the Buffalo Roam
Starring: Peter Boyle , Bill Murray , Bruno Kirby , Rene Auberjonois , and R.G. Armstrong
Director: Art Linson
Manufacturer: Anchor Bay
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

Satire | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

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

ASIN: B00003ETIT
Release Date: 2000-01-11

Amazon.com

Bill Murray is in his early-career, shambling glory as Hunter S. Thompson, the gonzo journalist with a fondness for Wild Turkey and firearms. While Murray does not do as exact an impersonation of Thompson as Johnny Depp (in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas), he does capture Thompson's dazed, anarchic nature. Unfortunately, the movie around him is just anarchic: a series of episodes (true or invented) from Dr. Thompson's career, circa 1968-72. The haphazard structure is probably meant to suggest the spirit of the counterculture or something, but it's just flabby storytelling. Thanks to Murray's blissful delivery, there are scenes that have a stoned giddiness to them: Thompson and his attorney (Peter Boyle) terrifying an unsuspecting hitchhiker, or Thompson alone in a men's room with Richard Nixon. Neil Young contributes some music, and Murray warbles "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" while drunkenly piloting a plane. --Robert Horton

Customer Reviews:

I thought he was just tense.......2007-08-11

Dudes Indieplex (Starz) just aired this tonight with the original soundtrack in tact. This movie has such a resonance. Its definitely as much Bill Murray stylie as HST, but there are moments when his impression is dead on. It was great seeing the zoo scene again, and Peter Boyle is fantastic. Favorite scene: the hitchhiker -- He had a wooden hand -- you can actually see it in the film. Bill Murray with the silicon breast implants and pasties is just amazing too. Watch it again Aug 29th 1230am. I find it best to have all the chemicals present during the airing, so you can do them along with the cast. You'll need to roll six if you can keep up with the frantic pace of the film. For the "blue ones" I use pure < >.

good movie BUT HELP which one to buy??.......2007-07-07

Can someone help us with EXACTLY which one of these releases to buy on AMAZON? Some have said both the DVD and VHS screw you out of the original soundtrack. I know to steer clear of the new Universal, which has the same ripoff soundtrack as the Anchor Bay DVD release. But the way Amazon lists these you don't know which one you are really buying.

Which one of the DVD or VHS releases have the COOL original soundtrack?
Thanks a million!

Peace,

good movie.......2007-06-10

This is a very descent portrayal of Hunter S. Thompson. It's a little bit more laid back than "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas." This is a better portrayal of the day to day Hunter S. Thompson, and is not just focused on one event. If you liked fear and loathing, you will like this.

get it!.......2007-05-15

if you own F&L in LV you have to get this one. bill murry come on and peter boyle!

"As your attorney, I'd advise you to buy this DVD.".......2007-04-18

This movie kicks butt...plain and simple. Don't be swayed by those who compare "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" with this film; they are two totally different movies about two totally different eras of Thompson's life and psyche.

This film deals with the exaggerated life and times of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson the journalist at the beginning of his nationally recognized career, circa 1967-1973. The movie moves in chronological fashion, pulling stories and situations from 4 or 5 books he wrote which chronicled his travels and findings during that time period ("Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail" is one of those books). The movie was made a t a time (1979) when few knew who this man was, so it was presented in a manner which would make the characters in the film easily accessible to movie-goers and fans alike. I read "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" for a book report assignment before I saw this movie, and immediately recognized the few, short moments attributed to stories told in the text.

Contrary to what other reviewers have written, Bill Murray played the character of Dr. Thompson very well. Bill & Hunter were very good friends throughout the 70's, and despite his assertion that he "signed off on the production rights" to the movie on day-one of shooting, Thompson was still on location for the entire filming (albeit, firing machine guns off set for fun), he still had some say so in the story. If you've read the books Dr. Thompson wrote about his travels from 67-73, you will enjoy this movie. The situations are hilarious, and just when you think Thompson is going to clean up his act, Lazlo (a character loosely based on Hunter's attorney friend Zeta Acosta), played obscurely by Peter Boyle, shows up and coerces Hunter into destructive, unreal situations.

Great scenes? 'The Superbowl.' Instead of attending (like he was supposed to), he has a wild, drug induced party-of-one in his hotel room, as s he sets his room up like a miniature football field. He gets a hotel bell boy and a maid to "play out" the game, as they continue to get high and drunk. 'The zoo.' Hunter is forced to ride on an airplane with the camera guys and other misfits instead of the regular plane for the writers. He slips what appears to be quaaludes or microdots into someone's mouth, gets super drunk thanks to his surgeon's bag filled with grapefruit slices and vodka, and ends up piloting the plane while singing "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds."
"The hospital." Lazlo comes and "rescues" Hunter, as he his held up in a hospital room with a vidka IV and a youing pin-striper that he almost has nude. Lazlo and Hunter take off in his convertable, crashing it into a religious statue and foutain out in fron of the building. the great scenes are endless.

Unfortunately, director Art Linson was a hapless mess on the set. The movie isn't epic; it's just another spoof style, slapstick comedy. but if you're a fan of Dr. Thompson, Bill Murray and comedies, this is a must have. Don't expect an intellectual mind journey...that was not the purpose of this film. This movie is nothing at all like Terry Gilliam's "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas."

Charlie Rose with Tim Burton; Johnny Depp (November 15, 1999)

Average customer rating:

I LOVED IT
Nice interview

Charlie Rose with Tim Burton; Johnny Depp (November 15, 1999)

Manufacturer: Charlie Rose
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

( C ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

ASIN: B000IU32AC
Release Date: 2006-09-18

Description

An interview with the director of the film Sleepy Hollow, Tim Burton. Burton speaks about the inspiration for the film, the classic Washington Irving story on which it is based, and his chemistry with the actor Johnny Depp. Then, Depp, the leading actor in Sleepy Hollow, talks about his performance and shares his reasons for choosing unconventional roles.

Customer Reviews:

I LOVED IT .......2007-05-09

IT WAS LIKE JOHNNY WAS IN THE ROOM .
I SEEN IT 6 TIMES ALREADY IT IS HOT.

Nice interview.......2007-01-11

If you are a really Johnny Depp Fan you should have this
interview (or Tim Burton Fan or both)
The interview is about Sleepy Hollow.

Charlie Rose with George Will; Johnny Depp, Terry Gilliam; Wei Jingsheng (May 11, 1998)

Average customer rating:

Charlie Rose with George Will; Johnny Depp, Terry Gilliam; Wei Jingsheng (May 11, 1998)

Manufacturer: Charlie Rose
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

( C ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

ASIN: B000KC8KYQ
Release Date: 2006-11-06

Description

First, George Will, syndicated columnist and author of Bunts, speaks about baseball history and Clinton's presidency. Then, Johnny Depp and Terry Gilliam, director, discuss their new movie, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, and the author the book the film is based on, Hunter S. Thompson. Finally, Wei Jingsheng, Chinese dissident, speaks about the Communist Part and human rights in China.

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas [ NON-USA FORMAT, PAL, Reg.2 Import - Netherlands ]

Average customer rating:

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas [ NON-USA FORMAT, PAL, Reg.2 Import - Netherlands ]
Director: Terry Gilliam
Manufacturer: RCV
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Art House & International | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Foreign & International | Stores | DVD | Video
ASIN: B000A3AN6I

Product Description

Netherlands released, PAL/Region 2 DVD: it WILL NOT play on standard US DVD player. You need multi-region PAL/NTSC DVD player to view it in USA/Canada. Languages: o Dutch (subtitles) o English (Dolby Digital 5.1) Synopsis: FEAR AND LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS is a whirlwind of a movie, a wacky, drug-laden story backed by a fist-pumping rock & roll soundtrack featuring everything from Wayne Newton and Tom Jones to Combustible Edison and Dead Kennedys. Journalist Raoul Duke (Johnny Depp) heads to Las Vegas to cover a motorcycle race, bringing along his Samoan lawyer, Dr. Gonzo (Benicio Del Toro), in this furious adaptation of the book by Hunter S. Thompson. It is 1971, and Duke and Gonzo are on their way to Sin City with a frightened hitchhiker (a nearly unrecognizable Tobey Maguire) and a trunkful of drugs, which they ingest nonstop. Depp is terrific as Duke, Thompson's alter ego, and Del Toro is a riot as the crazy lawyer. To perfect his Thompsonian performance, Depp spent a lot of time with the good doctor, and it paid off in a film that captures the frenetic pace of the counterculture novel. Director Terry Gilliam, a master of complex, bizarre visual imagery, has a field day interpreting the drug-hazed world in which Duke and Gonzo reside. An all-star cast chimes in with wonderfully offbeat bit parts, including Harry Dean Stanton, Gilliam regular Katherine Helmond, Flea, Cameron Diaz, Ellen Barkin, Christina Ricci, Gary Busey, Lyle Lovett, and others. Special Features: o Scene Access o Trailer(s)

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas [Region 2]

Average customer rating:

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas [Region 2]
Starring: Johnny Depp , Benicio Del Toro , Tobey Maguire , Ellen Barkin , and Gary Busey
Director: Terry Gilliam
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

( F ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
ASIN: B00004VYBK

Average customer rating:

the impossible accomplished...
Three things about "Fear and Loathing"
satisfied customer
What Is Happening Here?
psychedelia, del toro and depp- a good combination

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas [Region 2]
Starring: Johnny Depp , Benicio Del Toro , Tobey Maguire , Ellen Barkin , and Gary Busey
Director: Terry Gilliam
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

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

ASIN: B00005Q3DX

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

the impossible accomplished..........2007-09-07

Three things about "Fear and Loathing".......2007-08-02

There's only three things I can say about this movie:
1. It is the dark side of Cheech and Chong.
2. It is Fellini on LSD.
3. It is Gillian's best movie since "Brazil".

satisfied customer.......2007-07-27

my item arrived in brand new condition and i was very happy with my purchase.
great movie, funny as hell

What Is Happening Here?.......2007-07-26

psychedelia, del toro and depp- a good combination.......2007-07-26

this movie really captivated me. as soon as i watched it, i knew that i had to buy it. from the acting to the story, i really enjoyed all of it.

DVD:

DVD

DVD