The science fiction movie that went unnoticed by the general public. In the extensive catalog of science fiction offered by Amazon Prime Video, there are films that, despite having great stories and stellar casts, went unnoticed by the general public. Today we want to rescue one of them: Sphere.
Sphere (1998), directed by Barry Levinson and starring Dustin Hoffman, Sharon Stone and Samuel L. Jackson, takes us into a fascinating world where reality and fiction are blurred. The plot revolves around a team of scientists who discover a mysterious sphere at the bottom of the ocean. As they investigate its interior, they become involved in a series of strange events that lead them to question their own existence.
Why watch Sphere?
An original and absorbing science fiction thriller: Sphere will grab you from the start with its suspenseful story and unexpected twists and turns.
A stellar cast: Dustin Hoffman, Sharon Stone and Samuel L. Jackson shine with their performances in this film.
A reflection on the nature of reality: Sphere invites you to reflect on the fine line between reality and fiction.
Groundbreaking special effects for its time: Although released in 1998, Sphere features special effects that are still impressive today.
If you’re a fan of science fiction and are looking for a movie that will make you think and keep you on edge, Sphere is a perfect choice for you. You will find it available on Amazon Prime Video.
Plunged into failure: Why did “Sphere” sink?
Although the titanic success of “Titanic” (1997) might suggest otherwise. The reality is that the second half of the 1990s was not exactly a sea of roses for aquatic films. The wreck of “Waterworld” (1995) was still hanging over the air when the production of “Sphere” was planned, forcing the film to be shot entirely in the water tanks of a California naval base to keep the budget from spiraling out of control.
In fact, the obsession with keeping the budget in check stretched pre-production so much that it gave Levinson time to shoot the political satire “Smokescreen” (1997), also starring Hoffman, in parallel. Despite all this, the nearly $80 million invested was not even recouped, with a worldwide gross of less than $74 million.
Critics at the time mercilessly slaughtered the film (its Metacritic score is a 3.5 out of 10), railing against the slow narrative and, especially, the performances of Sharon Stone and Dustin Hoffman.
With the passage of time, “Sphere” has failed to achieve a cult status conducive to its vindication, but it is possible that its dense (almost underwater) storytelling style and replete with images of the unconscious would be better appreciated in a post-“Interstellar” (2014) world. Perhaps then impeccable elements such as Elliot Goldenthal’s soundtrack, charged with a very particular mysterious atmosphere, would be appreciated in their rightful measure.
The science fiction film that went unnoticed and you should see it
Sphere is not only an entertaining film, but also invites us to reflect on deep issues such as the nature of reality, artificial intelligence and the limits of science.
If you enjoyed the film, we recommend you read the novel of the same name by Michael Crichton on which it is based. You can also watch other films by the same director, such as “Sleepers” or “Outbreak”.
We hope this article has helped you to discover a science fiction film that went unnoticed and is worth watching. Do not hesitate to share if you liked the article.
