Sphere . Tucson Weekly . 03-02-98

Sphere

DIRECTED BY: Barry Levinson

REVIEWED: 03-02-98

What if your deepest fears came to life? Would they all involve snakes and tentacled sea creatures? Glazed donuts, perhaps? If you're prone to hazy Freudian interpretations, Sphere has a kind of goofy camp appeal, but as a thriller it's only average. A group of scientists descend to the bottom of the ocean, where they greet an alien entity that looks just like giant, gold marble. But it shows them the depths of themselves, you see. And then all their deepest fears, desires etc., come to life, and all of these things conveniently involve sea creatures. It's probably for the best: Why waste a good underwater set? Dustin Hoffman plays a cuddly psychologist; Sharon Stone plays an independent but sensitive marine biologist; Samuel L. Jackson plays a brilliant, weird mathematician. Remember: even if Sphere were based on Michael Crichton's very best novel, it would still be based on a Michael Crichton novel.

--Richter

Full Length Reviews
Sphere
Sphere
Sphere
Sphere

Capsule Reviews
Sphere

Other Films by Barry Levinson
Disclosure
Liberty Heights
Sleepers
Wag the Dog

Film Vault Suggested Links
Deep Impact
The Postman
Lost in Space

Rate this Film
If you don't want to vote on a film yet, and would like to know how others voted, leave the rating selection as "Vote Here" and then click the Cast Vote button.