Waking Life Reviews
This inventive animated film, which takes Linklater back to his roots in Austin and Slacker, represents a summation of all the philosophical concerns that have defined him as spokesperson for Gen-X.
Full Review
| Original Score: B+
Time Out
Top CriticThe endless philosophising is a bit sophomoric and more jokes would help, but this is one of a kind that grows more absorbing the longer it runs.
For a movie heralded as the cutting edge of visual innovation, Waking Life is disappointingly dull in every other respect.
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| Original Score: 2/4
If there was ever a film that made ontological exploration fun, this is it.
Exhilarating, transporting, funny and haunting -- and at times maddeningly heady or narcotically logy -- Waking Life doesn't compare to any other movie experience I've ever had.
An instant cult classic, one that's tailor-made for multiple viewings and bound to be popular among college students.
To paraphrase the enduring title of a new-wave album, it is pure pop for dream people.
It may not be for everyone -- the movie requires a high tolerance for statements such as 'there's only one instant, and it's now, and it's eternity' -- but it's like nothing else in theaters right now.
Adds up to little more than a series of disconnected impressions, but it holds interest despite an almost nonexistent narrative, and that's something.
Full Review
| Original Score: 2/4
Often surreal, Waking Life transcends boundaries of technology, imagination.
| Original Score: 4/4
It's thoughtful, provocative, liberating and fun.
| Original Score: 4.5/5
Minute 69 evolves several geological epochs later into Minute 70 -- and then there are 27 minutes left to go!
| Original Score: 3/5
Linklater mixed his grad-student-on-speed discourses with a few genuinely engrossing yakkers.
Like My Dinner with Andre and other appallingly smart movies, this one reminded me that I need to read more books and watch less television.
| Original Score: 3/4
Anyone who finds value in wondering who we are or why we're here, what's real and what's not, should be overjoyed to find a theatrical release with the same sense of curiosity.
A smart, sensuous and sensory mind trip that caroms around a universe of thought.
| Original Score: 3.5/4
Linklater's cerebral provocations allow for tickling visuals -- check out that car-boat -- and lively humor.
| Original Score: 4.5/5
A fantastically smart attempt at creating an evocative cinematic expression for some of our most complex metaphysical conundrums.
One of the most inspired cases of the medium embodying the message ever captured on celluloid.
Whatever point [Linklater] is trying to make with this wall of words is almost immediately wearying and soon yawn-inducing.
Full Review
| Original Score: 3/5
Like a long day in the college coffee shop, it's more provocative than original and profound, but still time well spent.
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| Original Score: 3/4
This movie seems alive, seems vibrating with urgency and excitement.
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| Original Score: 4/4
Somewhat hit-and-miss, but just when you think Linklater's philosophizing and his digital foofaraw are about to try your patience, both begin to cohere and resonate.
Truly special, truly different -- a wondrous talky roundelay about and for people who love life.
Full Review
| Original Score: 4/4
It's like being in a college bar and listening to your companion blathering on about the secrets of the world.
As delirious, discombobulating and queasily funny as a post-pizza dream.
Worth seeing because of its groundbreaking animation style.
| Original Score: 3/4
Doesn't leave you in a dream, specifically the dream of Linklater's previous films, so much as it traps you in an endless bull session.
It ends up staying with you long after the jittery animated images have faded from the screen.
Full Review
| Original Score: 3.5/4
So verbally dexterous and visually innovative that you can't absorb it unless you have all your wits about you. And even then, you may want to see it again to enjoy its subtle humor and warm humanity.
Full Review
| Original Score: 4.5/5
A fascinating work that leapfrogs its maker, Richard Linklater, from acclaimed indie filmmaker to visionary.
