Release Date: 5/7/2002 Original Release: 2001 Format: DVD Widescreen Length: 99 minutes Rating:R (MPAA) Rating Reason: language and some violent images UPC: 024543040651 Studio: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainm
Director Richard Linklater presents this computer-animated, dreamlike, meandering film about a college-age man (Wiley Wiggins) who floats in and out of a series of philosophical discussions and ethereal experiences, meeting an interesting cast of characters along the way. Each character that Wiley meets engages him in an existential discussion. Wiley listens, observes, and occasionally responds. Then he glumly shuffles off to his next encounter. At times, he wakes up in his bed and rubs his eyes, appearing to start a new day. But eventually viewers learn that Wiley is dreaming throughout the film, and is trying to learn to control his dreams--and accomplish lucid dreaming, or simply wake up.
Visually, WAKING LIFE is nothing short of fantastic. Linklater stays true to his Indie style--jerky camera, drifting gaze, and steady head shots that allow non-actors to talk straight into the camera. To achieve the floating feeling of the dream sequences, he first tried taking aerial shots from a helicopter, then opted for the smoother effect of a hot air balloon. He shot the film on digital video, edited it, then called on 30 animators to finish it. The characters in the film move and gesticulate like live action, but they are animated with odd color schemes and surreal lines that make them cartoony caricatures. WAKING LIFE is a superb work that should be applauded for its atmospheric elements (lovely images of New York and Austin), its amusing bohemian dialogues, and its unique animation.
DVD Features
Region 1 Keep Case Single Side - Dual Layer Anamorphic Widescreen - 1.85 Letterbox - 1.85 Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1 - English Dolby Surround - Spanish Additional Release Material: Deleted Scenes (Live Action Only) Trailers: Original Theatrical Trailer Bonus Footage: 1. Live Action Footage 2. Audition Tapes Audio Commentary: 1. Richard Linklatter - Director, Bob Sabiston - Animator, Tommy Pallotta - Producer. 2. Animators (25) Featurette: 1. Sundance Channel Special 2. MAKING OF WAKING LIFE 3. Animation Software Tutorial 4. SNACK AND DRINK (Directed by Bob Sabiston) 5. WILEY WIGGINS TEST Text/Photo Galleries: Biographies
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Richard Linklater ('Dazed and Confused', 'The School of Rock') explores the world of dreams in this sometimes tedious but mostly inspired animated film. Not just for stoners, this film is a... Read the whole review at MatchFlick
