Jacob's Ladder (1990) Reviews
- Starring:
- Tim Robbins, Elizabeth Peña, (more)
- Director(s):
- Adrian Lyne
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- R
- Category:
- Mystery & Suspense, Drama
Member Rating
My RatingAverage Ratings
7 out of 7 people found this review helpful What constitues reality in this gripping drama? Is Jacob, a returning Vietnam vet, mad? Suffering hallucinogenic flashbacks? Dreaming? Or is there some intricate government conspiracy that only ... Read More What constitues reality in this gripping drama? Is Jacob, a returning Vietnam vet, mad? Suffering hallucinogenic flashbacks? Dreaming? Or is there some intricate government conspiracy that only he and a handful of others suspect? Demons can't really be chasing him, now -- can they? (And what do these demons represent?) Trying to figure this all out makes "Jacob's Ladder" quite the interesting puzzle. If, at the end, you're still unsure, watch the docu-mentary, which explains all to great satisfaction; absolutely no cop-outs here. The actors (particularly Tim Robbins and Danny Aiello) are totally engaging and the plot, entirely plausible (strange to say). The gruesome special effects fall, mercifully, just short of overkill. In the hands of another director, this film might have been laughable. In the hands of Adrian Lyne, it is a wonderful achievement. Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
6 out of 7 people found this review helpful I had never seen Jacobs Ladder before. Actually I really didn't know much about the movie at all. Blockbuster online recommended it to me. As soon as I put it on within the first 10 minutes I knew ... Read More I had never seen Jacobs Ladder before. Actually I really didn't know much about the movie at all. Blockbuster online recommended it to me. As soon as I put it on within the first 10 minutes I knew exactly what was happening. Why? Because just a week before I rented the movie "Stay" with Ryan Gossling. These movies are very simular. I enjoyed them both very much. If I had not seen "Stay" I think Jacobs Ladder may have been a bit better for me but I just knew how it would end right from the beginning. Definitly worth seeing though. Good movie. Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
5 out of 6 people found this review helpful If you give it less than 4 stars, you don't understand! Watch it once, watch it twice, and then watch it a third time. You will then get it. You may realize that this is what is going to happen to you when you die, so live your life well. I originally saw this movie in the theater in 1990 and was captivated. Spoiler: Since then I have referred to this movie as the Death Dream Movie. Folks, that is all this is. Nothing to understand here, when your brain is running out of oxygen, that is what happens. Nothing in the movie is reality, its just a dream. Sorry if I gave it away, but I hate it when people give a movie a bad rating because they dont understand it. If you dont understand it, watch it again with someone who may be able to explain it to you.WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
4 out of 5 people found this review helpful No, no, Jacob's Ladder was not all it was cracked up to be in my opinion. Lyne ("9 1/2 weeks") has produced an artsy, chilling movie. It is not you're average horror flick; the plot is intricate, ... Read More No, no, Jacob's Ladder was not all it was cracked up to be in my opinion. Lyne ("9 1/2 weeks") has produced an artsy, chilling movie. It is not you're average horror flick; the plot is intricate, if not confusing, and there is a profound significance to it, regarding heaven, purgatory and hell, as well as military operations in vietnam. Tim Robbins does a great acting job. However, the plot has too many loopholes and the ending is just not that satisfying for me. You are left wondering what parts of the movie were reality and what were just figments of Jacob's immagination. I feel that lyne really wasn't as worried with making the plot fit together, as with producing a creepy, artsy movie. He succeeds in this. The part where Jacob is carried on a stretcher through increasingly decrepit hospital hallways and the scene in the party are particularly unsettling. If only the ending had connected everything better, this would have been a GREAT movie. Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
0 out of 3 people found this review helpful Very slow, confusing movie. I really didn't know what was going on until near the end. On a positive note, it had nice chilling, cool scary parts. Over all, the movie sucked though. It was too slow, ... Read More Very slow, confusing movie. I really didn't know what was going on until near the end. On a positive note, it had nice chilling, cool scary parts. Over all, the movie sucked though. It was too slow, too boring, and not clear. Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
3 out of 11 people found this review helpful I dont even understand how people think this movie was scary! I literally was watching and watching and nothing, I was left with NOTHING! I'm just in shock, I had heard this was the scary movie of ... Read More I dont even understand how people think this movie was scary! I literally was watching and watching and nothing, I was left with NOTHING! I'm just in shock, I had heard this was the scary movie of all scary movies, I'm still f***ing waiting 2 B scared. I was horribly let down, NOT RECOMMENDED!! Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
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