Code 46

[ulthar]

I know it's been discussed on here before, but I just saw Code 46.  I'd say it's pretty good for modern era sci fi.

For those not familiar, the title refers to a law in the future that basically states you cannot mate with anyone who is a 25% or higher DNA match.  Essentially, the gist is that clones do not necessarily 'look like' the person cloned (an idea I found intriguing in itself) and you really don't know if you are mating with a 'close' relative or not; couples must pass a DNA screen before they can have children.

Another idea I found intriguing was the concept if virus injection: Tim Robbins character had a virus that would make him more empathetic, for example.  Left on it's own, this not very remarkable, but the injected viruses could be tailored to other purposes as well.

Also, the idea of widespread multiculturism and everybody being multilingual was very interesting, contrasting completely with the near barbarity of the titular law.

The female lead, Samantha Morton, played "Agatha" in Minority Report.  I thought she looked familiar, but I could not place her.

I thought Code 46 tried to be a warning against genetic engineering.  I thought it was a fresh look at this type of warning, though, rather than just a hit-you-over-the-head with "genetic engineering is bad."  So, if you want to mix a pretty good sci fi (with pretty cool music setting the backdrop) exploration with the bad 50's era space horror, I recommend giving Code 46 a look.

[Mr_Vindictive]

Ulthar,

I rented this one last year after reading some recommendations.  I, sadly, never got around to watching it.  I might have to see about renting it again.

[ulthar]

I think you will like it, Skaboi.  The pacing is a bit slow (it's not a thriller or actioner by any stretch), and the romance angle is heavy in the plot.  But, as a sci fi, the story is interesting and there is some really subtle stuff going on.  The law Code 46 really breaks down many current beliefs regarding interracial marriage and almost works to make intra-racial marriage taboo (or at least difficult).

Plus, you can play "how many languages do you hear."  The linquistic aspect alone has been a popular area of discussion on IMDB.  I recognized French, Spanish, Italian and of course English (I'm ignorant about Asian languages, so though they sounded "Asian" to me, I could not identify them).  I found the way all characters, regardless of nationality, slipped from language to language, even within the same sentence, quite interesting.  Wild Stuff.

[Neville]

Loved this one. It's unusual, creative and the focus on the romance makes you feel you've never seen a sci-film before. Robbins and Morton are great.