In a recent conversation with a friend, this 35 year-old SCI-FI flick was fondly remembered. I just went to NETFLIX and added it to my queue. While there, I took the time to read several Reviews posted there. The following copy and Paste says it all!
Rice Noodles's other reviews >
“Watching this film again for the first time in over 20 years, now, in the summer of 2008, I shake my head in sadness and amazement at how accurately Harry Harrison saw our future.
Water shortages, ongoing energy crises, climate change, unemployment, and, of course, little fresh food to be found.
Sure, this has the typical limitations of early 70's SF movies in effects and budget, but the writing and acting in this bleak, courageous production are excellent. Nobody wanted to take the warnings seriously back in 1973, especially corporate America, but unless human kind takes radical steps soon to curtail population and consumption of natural resources, the prophecy of SOYLENT GREEN will come true.
There are a few interesting extras on the DVD, including speeches by the leads at a party celebrating Mr. Robinson's 101st film. The commentary is by the director and Ms. Taylor-Young.
If you show SOYLENT GREEN to your kids, they will wonder how, if the generation growing up in the 70's were warned by scientists and writers of the dangers of unrestricted growth and consumption, we could have let things get so bad.
Surely history will judge us as self-centered, simple minded gluttons.
This film needs to be seen especially by every American, Chinese, and Indian.
Think we don't have overpopulation in the USA right now? Just let the big multinational corporations controlling both parties keep the unregulated immigration pipeline going full blast. “
END OF QUOTE -
Before watching this movie again, I thought I’d make a few comments, based solely on memory. The Setting was for a Futuristic 2022 - a glimpse of 49 years forward. The special effects way back then were certainly different, and much more limited than today’s; but the gist of the catastrophic forebodings, as well as the general stupidity and apathy of the public-at-large was RIGHT-ON!
The prediction likewise, of the Corporate GREED, corruption of government, and mismanagement of the Earth’s Resources was also directly on target!
If, by any stretch of the imagination, EVERY American citizen would just watch this one film - MAYBE - just MAYBE - several Millions would WAKE UP!
For DECADES now, the government, FDA, and food Manufacturers had been GUILTY of collusion - Additives, Chemicals, and in some cases, even POISONS have been purposely put INTO OUR FOOD AND WATER! The few individuals and groups that DO complain, write, call, speak out - are labeled as NUTS, or radicals, or trouble-makers!
DO YOU REALLY KNOW WHAT YOU ARE EATING? DRINKING? BREATHING?
If we leave it up to THEM - we may very well someday be CANNIBALISTIC!
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