#2, Metropolis

Let me warn you in advance that most of the films I've watched I've loved, so don't anticipate very many low ratings.

Metropolis (the silent, 1927 version by Fritz Lang, not the recent anime one) really swept me off of my feet when I watched it. The unfortunate thing about this film is that much of the footage has been lost, creating significant gaps in the story, which, in the reconstruction I watched, were filled in by stills and text taken from the original script. While the film is fantastic on its own, I couldn't help but wonder what the lost footage would have added.

The acting style is quite what you'd expect from a 1920's silent film, but this isn't necessarily a bad thing, as I like to think the film is more allegorical than anything. Some of the visuals are quite impressive especially considering the time, and despite some plot gaps and a resoundingly weak arch-villain (Rotwang gets pummelled twice), the film is poignant and thoroughly enjoyable. What truly impressed me was the manner in which some of the shots of metropolis were animated, with lights moving a milimeter at a time between frames to give the impression of live-action. Well beyond its time.

Highlights: Some fantastic and innovative shot. Beautiful artwork. Some fun little allegories with social hierarchy and machines and stuff.

Downers: Missing footage is a big one. The weak villain bothers me more than it should. Some bizarre plot gaps and actions by characters that aren't explained all that well, even with the missing footage.

8/10