No. 33 Fahrenheit 451 (2018) 78 of 100

 

It was only when I went to log my score for this film on the IMDb did I realise that I had already seen it. In truth bits of it did seem familiar, but I thought that was due to its close resemblance to ‘Equilibrium’ which was a lot more fun.

I did like this film the second time around but it may not stay long in the memory – a bit like last time!

The film is set in a near future America after the second civil war. Fascist types in black suits run the show and they have banned all but a few books and most other artistic items. Strangely everyone can read and write, but they all probably just have approved texts. Not sure why some characters can quote long bits of banned books, but I’m guessing everyone has a secret stash.

Shannon plays Captain Beatty, the head of the local brigade of  'Firemen'. He is due for a promotion and his second in command, Michael B Jordan, off the ‘Creed’ films, is in line for a step up. The two are celebrities, as their nightly raids on ‘Eels’ are televised with their burning of seized books being a big ratings winner. I’m guessing ‘Bargain Hunt’ is on the banned list.

The film has some great technology such as ‘Blade Runner’ type buildings with full sized screens showing the action, as well as viewer engagement in terms of emojis appearing to show the masses’ pleasure or otherwise on the current events being shown.

You’ll know from the Ray Bradbury book that one officer starts to doubt his role in life and I wasn’t immediately sure if it was going to be Shannon or Jordan who sees the light. Shannon isn’t shy of quoting a bit of prose and when he called someone ‘Old Ma Joad’ when she’s caught with ‘The Grapes of Wrath’ I thought he’d given himself away. Well he hadn’t, it’s Jordan who turns out to be the rebel, which is pretty obvious given the poster choices!

Jordan has a nice apartment and an Alexa style voice activated assistant called Yaxey. Yaxey is helpful at first, but it’s soon clear she’s listening in even when turned off. Alexa would never do that despite what my detailed Facebook ads may be suggesting!

Jordan hooks up with a young rebel and starts to read a purloined book. The burning of a woman, whose dying word was ‘Omnis’ has shaken him, and he needs to know the truth. Shannon is worried that Omnis may spell the end of their society given that it will allow everyone to access books via their DNA – a bit like a dodgy Firestick really.

With the DNA chain stored in a bird and the Firemen closing in it’s up to Jordan to try and keep the dream alive.

I enjoyed the first half of this film more than the second. The set up was great and I liked the world, the costumes and the technology. It lost its way towards the end however and there were a few sudden and unlikely logic jumps to get us to the inevitable final confrontation. Although only a few years old, the film was prescient in talking about AI and censorship, although I doubt many people read actual books any more – it’s all Kindles and Tik-Tok now.

Shannon was good as the single-minded Beatty although his actions towards the end seemed somewhat woolly. I know he saw himself as Jordan’s mentor but he lets his quarry go free more often than an incompetent Bond villain. He looked like he was having fun as the evil boss man and the character was well suited for his look and talents.

The film was a bold effort but it did get bogged down with some of the points it was trying to make and the modern and prosperous world seemed seemed incongruous with one where the citizens were denied any creative output or stimulus. Still, cool flamethrowers!

When is Shannon-On? - 04.33

Outcome? Still in charge with a mess to clear up

Film 3/5

Shannon Stars 4/5