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Short summary

A private detective is hired to find a missing stripper. A simple job turns complicated when everyone he questions ends up dead.
A private detective is hired to find a missing stripper, but the job turns complicated when everyone he questions ends up dead. From the mean streets of Los Angeles to the desolate desert of New Mexico, Cruz must contend with a brutal Russian boxer, three brash LAPD detectives, an aged billionaire looking for the Big Bang, and the billionaire's stunningly gorgeous wife. The solution to the mystery will cost ten lives, net thirty million dollars and just might explain everything.

Trailers "The Big Bang (2010)"

The producers had originally negotiated a deal with Autumn Reeser where the nudity would have been a lot more limited than what you see now in the movie.

Clifton Collins, Jr. was originally going to play Detective Poley.

The sepia feel of the visuals of the sex scene between Antonio Banderas and Autumn Reeser was inspired by a book of nude photographs by Scott Caan, owned by Director Tony Krantz.

There are numerous subtle references to physics concepts including: the movie studio is called "Shrodinger's", the café is called "Planck's Constant Café", and the computer password Delta x Delta p is the formula for the Heisenberg Uncertainly Principle.

The first decision made by Director Tony Krantz was to shoot the movie in color, because the majority of the noir films are in black and white.

Hollywood agent Ed Limato read the script, fell in love with it, and gave it to Antonio Banderas, who loved it at first sight and signed on.

Director Tony Krantz took inspiration from such movies as Sed de mal (1958) and Hud, el más salvaje entre mil (1963).

Tony Krantz asked Johnny Marr to do the music score after listening to his solo record "Boomslang" (2003).

The character Fay Neman is likely a reference to the Nobel Prize winning physicist Richard Feynman, famous for, amongst other things, his work relating to subatomic particles.

Puss (Snoop Dogg) works in a building/box named "Schrodinger's".

User reviews


  • comment
    • Author: Vudogal
    Right from the opening credits, the music and visuals seem to surround you in acidic euphoria.

    This is a contemporary film noir with scientific and abstract overtones. Antonio Banderas is a private-I tasked with finding a woman, a typically classic theme; but mixed with a lot of modern physics. This isn't the first time it's been done, so it's no wonder people are finding parallels to other films and even claiming a ripoff. I can't say either way whether those claims are true.

    The contemporary physics intertwined with the classic noir theme adds up to the kind of intrigue that I lust after as a moviegoer. Donnie Darko, Interstate 60, Angel Heart, The Ninth Gate, The Kovak Box -- One capable man on an adventure to solve a complex riddle whose questions and experiences become so convoluted as to begin to warrant an answer beyond the realm of known reality.

    If, during moments when you have no idea what could possibly be coming next, you delight in that fact, finding them beyond delicious, then this movie is for you. That's not what everyone is looking for of course, which is probably why this movie isn't getting a proper theatrical release. Lowest common denominator Hollywood surefire profitmaker this is not.

    Acting, writing, directing, and effects were perfect. I was disappointed in the wrap-up, as everyone else was, but I try not to get hung up on it. As they say, it's the journey that counts. This was definitely a worthwhile experience.
  • comment
    • Author: Snowseeker
    If you're a fan of the detective genre, this movie is worth a watch.

    The use of lighting and color throughout the film was a huge boon as it really drew you further into the mystery and storyline. The script was clever, maybe trying to be a bit too clever in linking metaphors and accurate(?) science.

    The acting was above par-excellent from the entire cast and it is only when the scenes rely a bit too much on the script where things seem to struggle. (Whoever wrote the insults however get's a solid A-)

    Is the movie cliché? Yes. However, I never found myself trying to fill in the next line or scene because I was never really bored watching the story unfold.

    The soundtrack felt well suited and the overall polish on production was good.

    I was pleasantly surprised with this one. Hope you are too!
  • comment
    • Author: Watikalate
    I really liked the noir style of the movie, but it looses a bit in the end. Nice and complicated plot that keeps you in mystery until the end but the use of metaphors between the plot and physics are not always very good. Banderas (havent seen him in a while) gives a very good performance. The use of special effects is absolutely genius. The director is playing with smoke, light and colors in such a way that the outcome is just beautiful.

    The movie plot and atmosphere get a 10/10, but counting and the "buts" i put a 8/10.

    In general, very good movie, very good actors, a must see for noir lovers and not only.
  • comment
    • Author: Tam
    I'm not quite sure how to rate this movie. It's very well made, with excellent (if somewhat typecast) acting from all involved. The direction shows a real sense of style, making bold use of color, hue, saturation, surreal environments, and dream-like sequences... yet all of these seem directly lifted from a David Lynch movie. Indeed, the director has even produced a Lynch movie (Mulholland Drive). The dreamy yet rocking score from Johnny Marr really gives life to the movie, yet constantly sounds like lost tracks from Achtung Baby, the U2 album. And then there's the story. I love the story, but I loved it even better when it was a Wim Wenders movie called Until the End of the World.

    This movie is pure plagiarism, right down to the soundtrack (Johnny Marr, what happened?!), but it's excellently made. As an unauthorized and uncredited American remake of Wim Wenders' awesome 1991 movie, there's both a lot to love and a lot to hate.

    Someone should be facing a lengthy legal battle right now, and it's a shame, because this movie is so well done. Maybe next time the director will find his own vision, instead of plagiarizing his idols.
  • comment
    • Author: Mala
    Some very good acting (especially from Sam Elliot), an unusual script filled with sometimes strangely funny references to cosmological and particle physics, and a jazzy style of direction lead to an inexpensive, yet engaging "private detective" story. Antonio Banderas' Latin, fish-out-of-water accent (the detective) initially seems odd for such an iconic American role, but in short order, it just blends-in with the many other off-center characters and events that populate the film.

    It's flaws are irrelevant and understandable considering its limited budget and shooting schedule; it's a refreshing hour and a half of entertaining stuff that smartly never takes itself too seriously.
  • comment
    • Author: Pryl
    A private detective (Antonio Banderas) is hired to find a missing stripper. A simple job turns complicated when everyone he questions ends up dead.

    I can imagine Antonio Banderas looking at this script and weighing in his mind if he wants it or not. Then he gets to the sex scene, and he says, "I'm in." (And I have been told he helped in casting Autumn Reeser, so this makes it even more likely.) The script is interesting, sometimes a bit bizarre, but for Banderas that is the clincher, for sure. Other than that, despite being the main character, he is actually the least interesting part of the movie.

    The press release compares the film to "Sin City" and "Big Lebowski". I can see "Lebowski" somewhat, but agree completely with the "Sin City" comparison. That was actually the first thing I thought of after a few minutes of analyzing the style. The film uses odd angles (sometimes to a dangerous extreme) and saturated colors. I thought in many scenes the backgrounds were even more beautiful than the foregrounds or the people in them.

    What to say about the physics angle? I have seen many complaints online from people who say the plot was not about physics and that the same story could be told with a different topic. I raised this to director Tony Krantz and he made a clear argument that physics is not just central to the plot, but the very plot itself. If you did not get this, I recommend giving the film a second view.

    The Snoop Dogg claim was deeply philosophical, but I feel it was not properly explored. Is sex with men just one after another with no real difference? And whether yes or no, how does this fit into the film's overall message? I do not know, but for whatever reason -- perhaps my background in philosophy and women's studies -- this line jumped out at me.

    The supporting cast is also impressive. I mean, Sam Elliott and James VanDerBeek? Incredible. Autumn Reeser truly a joy. Elliott was actually a bit weaker than usual (I think he works best when his role is minimized) but I can never say no to him or his mustache.

    I do have to call out Banderas' accent. As one reviewer wrote, "Antonio Banderas's mumbling was mostly unintelligible." I would not be so harsh, but the fact remains that I missed many of his lines because he could no deliver them. I can understand Puss in Boots from "Shrek", so I know he is capable of speaking clearly... this is my only real complaint.

    Pick this one up. Great film, very good twists and turns, with a blend of intrigue and sex that will grab your attention. The DVD and Blu-Ray has a few features on it, and if you are the type who loves audio commentaries (I do), director Krantz will provide you with more than a fair share of background...
  • comment
    • Author: Chilele
    I watched this movie for two reasons, first, I like the TV Series "The Big Bang Theory", and second, I enjoy watching most Antonio Banderas movies. Aside from this I had no clue what to expect.

    The movie starts out well enough and for about the first 40 minutes or so weaves a mildly interesting plot. After a certain point the movie takes a few confusing turns where the viewer is wondering how the new direction is going to align with the plot that was woven earlier. The climax, where the plot is revealed, is surprisingly good. Though, the ending, where the two separate paths the movie had taken are brought together is, in my opinion, quite lame.

    The acting is good enough. Antonio Banderas and William Fichtner are good actors and they do a decent job. The rest of the cast doesn't fail either. In the end, it is the script which is a let down. Maybe it seemed great on paper and lost its charm when brought alive on the screen.

    One more thing. The script somehow brings nuclear physics into play. Why or to what end is the question the viewer is likely to ask after the movie ends. When an element as strong as science, mathematics or religion has to be brought in, I believe, making it central to the plot would pay off better dividends. For example, "Pi" by Darren Aronofsky or "Back to the Future" movies.

    Overall, it is an average thriller with bits of science thrown in. It is not exactly a waste of time, if you happen to catch it on TV. Otherwise, I wouldn't go out of my way to buy or rent a DVD. You aren't missing anything.
  • comment
    • Author: Cordanius
    This movie is far from being perfect. It is also far from being one of the worst movies I have seen, like some reviewers claim.

    The movie delivers quite nicely in several areas: It kept me entertained throughout the full length of it. The cinematography is daring and plain beautiful. The acting is alright, but nothing special. The combination of film noir with very modern imagery and dialogue was weird but interesting to see. The whole woven in metaphorical lines and puns (look at some light effects in the bar!) about particle physics were funny and entertaining to me (but then again, I am a physicist...). But they did not really help the plot or the characters and seemed a little unmotivated and far fetched.

    I have to admit though that the storyline of the movie seemed a little half-baked. Take a cup of David Lynch weirdness, a few spoons of sciency talk, a bit of crime genre love story and a few twists and turns for the viewer. No, this does not give you a good story if mixed together. It gives you a strange movie unlike any other. And if it wasn't so well made, this movie would really have sucked given those ingredients.

    Overall, I can say that the movie was entertaining, mainly for its stylish mood and look, but nothing that I would recommend as a must-see to my friends.
  • comment
    • Author: lacki
    This is the movie Hollywood refuse to do; so being done by independents rarely gets a theatrical release (at least in USA). I am really lucky, catching these movies in countries where culture has not yet being destroyed.

    This is classic detective story with very modern elements like atomic fusion and a sexual charge uncommon 40 years ago.

    Private Eye, Ned Cruz is commissioned by an ex-con to find a woman he loves, after and epistolary relationship. He only has her picture and the letters, but the women not only disappeared, but everybody seems to have forgotten her.

    His research takes him to New Mexico where a billionaire is doing atomic fusion experiments.

    All this is told in flash back while being questioned three not very friendly policemen.

    As in the good detective stories; there are more information than necessary, however all the information is there.

    The acting is outstanding. Banderas proves again he can carry a movie; he is totally credible in a part that does not even seems for him; but almost everybody else is also excellent or at least very good. Everybody seems very motivated in getting the movie right. And they succeed.

    The technical aspects; particularly cinematography are excellent also. There are lots of artistic details but is never too charged.

    Summary, just see it, pay attention and enjoyed it
  • comment
    • Author: Ariseym
    Yes, refreshingly exciting, this is what i just felt during and after watching this not high-budget action-romance story. Banderas is back, very good performance. Fichtner not brilliant but psycho as it suits him, i love this individual's psychology. In general nice performing in an usual storyline. I liked the "sin city's" way of going through the movie. All in all i enjoyed this movie that hooked me since the first moment. it had a start and an end. through the whole movie i wanted to pay attention, the mystery helps but the story was making you feel that way.

    Smart and enjoyable, i would suggest you spare 99 minutes for this piece. Enjoy !
  • comment
    • Author: Agamaginn
    The Big Bang, although imperfect, is a well made, valiant effort from relative newcomer Tony Krantz. It welds together several recognizable genres for a dazzling technicolor coat of a flick, with one of the most interesting troupe of actors, all non type casted, in the last decade or so. You have the noirish detective yarn, the hard bitten postmodern crime thriller, and something unique as well: a constant running theme of physics, evident in both the snappy scientific jargon the actors get to chew on, and the dazzling, neo noirish color palette ranging from eye popping purples to smoky deep blues. Antonio Banderas ditches the strong silent shtick to play private investigator Ned Cruz, a fast talking wiseass who gets in way over his head when a giant Russian ex boxer (Robert Maillet, priceless) hires him to find his luscious pen pal Lexie Parsimmon (Sienna Guillory). This leads him into a dangerous web of eccentric characters including pseudo astro physicist billionaire Simon Kestral (Sam Elliott in a hairdo that would make David Bowie blush), a shady porn director (Snoop Dogg), a sexy small town waitress (Autumn Reeser, making everyone sweat in one of the hottest sex scenes I've ever seen put to celluloid), a kinky ex Hollywood star (James Van Der Beek), and more. The film jumps around in time, as any good noir should, as Ned tells his story to three relentless detectives, burnt out Skeres (Delroy Lindo), sharp, sleazy Frizer (Thomas Kretschmann, excellent), and volatile Poley (William Fichtner steals the show as the bratty, hotshot prick of the trio). There's work from Jimmi Simpson, Bill Duke, and Rebecca Mader. It's a bit muddled at times, and the inevitable style over substance claim will undoubtedly be heard, but it's got style, energy and ambition in droves, providing a neon lit verbal and visual maze of head scratching intrigue and priceless dialogue for the cast to play in. Well worth a visit.
  • comment
    • Author: Madis
    I loved everything about this movie, from the opening sequence to the end... fabulous. I have to preface this by saying I am not an Antonio Banderas fan, not that I never liked him, he just never blew me away in any movie he was in. He almost did it with this one, he was brilliant! The whole cast was excellent... very good acting and Sam Elliot, the guy is just great in everything he does.

    The screenplay was excellent, being a writer myself, I really admired the writer of this one; the beats were spot on.

    The director, lets you know fro the opening sequence that he is in charge and he in innovative. I loved the way he shot this movie; once again brilliant.

    One of the best movies I have seen in a long time!
  • comment
    • Author: LONUDOG
    Ever seen someone who is high on Meth? Or any other drug? Or Alcohol? Even Beer? At some point of time, when enough of it is pumping though one's system, one starts to rant. His imaginations start taking the shape of visions and they are so psychedelic! Watching this movie gave me the impression that the director decided to go on some sort of drug during the whole course of the movie.

    There was enough to keep me hooked till the end but not enough to make it unforgettable or to qualify for repeat viewing. The ending did not impress.

    The actors are good and the acting is also passable for the most part, but the editing is choppy at best. The makers might have a vision, but they didn't bother about the story. The whole rant about the various elements of astrophysics by almost all the key characters also did not help. It seemed inserted just to kill time and give the title a meaning. The so-called philosophy as well as metaphors fell flat. The dialog was ridiculous at best. And most of the key characters spoke with such thick accents or just plain weird that i gave up trying to understand them after a while. All this was a vague attempt to mask a very simplistic and predictable plot.

    Overall, the movie gave me the impression of a very well made film school project from a guy on mind-altering drugs.
  • comment
    • Author: Mohn
    The private detective from Los Angeles Ned Cruz (Antonio Banderas) is interrogated by LAPD Detectives Poley (William Fichtner), Frizer (Thomas Kretschmann) and Skeres (Delroy Lindo). Cruz is blind after being hit on the face and asks many times whether "she is alive". Cruz explains to the detectives that after a lost case of his client and Hollywood star Adam Nova (James Van Der Beek), he is tired and returns to his office to rest. Out of the blue, the washed up boxer Anton 'The Pro' Protopov (Robert Maillet) comes to his office to hire him to find his missing girlfriend and former stripper Lexie Persimmon. Cruz recalls that five years ago, the Russian mobster Skinny Faddeev (Bill Marlowe) gave 30 million dollars in blood diamond in advance to him to lose a fight against his nephew. However, Anton killed the nephew with a punch and when Skinny was found death, he was sentenced to life. While in prison, Lexie writes two hundred and sixty letters to him and they fall in love for each other. When a criminal confesses the murder of Skinny, Anton is released but he does not find Lexie.

    Ned Cruz starts the investigation and finds a lead that Lexie might be in San Celeritas, New Mexico. Cruz notes that a black Lincoln is following him and he believes that the Russian Mafia is chasing him. However, he heads to the spot and in the Planck 's Constant Coffer, he has an affair with the waitress Autumn Reeser (Fay Neman) that helps him. After reading the letters, Cruz becomes obsessed for Lexie. When Cruz is invited to have dinner with the delusional millionaire Simon Kestral (Sam Elliott), he is introduced to his wife Julie Kestral (Sienna Guillory) and the geek physicist Niels Geck (Jimmi Simpson) and he believes he has resolved the case. However, nothing is what seems to be and Cruz only discovers the truth when it is late.

    "The Big Bang" is a weird and stylish detective story with a promising beginning and a good twist near the end. However, the part when Ned Cruz meets Simon Kestral is boring and a complete mess and the conclusion is awful. The cinematography and the music score are very nice. The cast has good performances and it is always good to see William Fichtner. My vote is six.

    Title (Brazil): "Morte por Encomenda" ("Death by Order")
  • comment
    • Author: Nuadabandis
    It seems no one has ever read a Raymond Chandler or seen one of his films, because this is a remake (without any credit to Chandler) of his book "Farewell, My Lovely". And it's not a good remake either. The mix of 1930's attempt at dialog and action doesn't always feel right in a modern setting. It can feel forced. And, it you are a Chandler fan, who is the originator of this genre, it doesn't live up to the master. Also, if you are familiar with "Farewell, My Lovely" (or the best film version "Murder, My Sweet" with an amazing Dick Powell in a career changing role for him) then there really isn't any surprise in the plot either. All in all it's a bit of a disappointment, even if I try to appreciated the attempt, and Bandera isn't that bad as a Philip Marlowe substitute.
  • comment
    • Author: bass
    I'm amazed that anyone liked this. It starts out quite promisingly and descends into a boring and quite embarrassing physics lecture, with nudity.

    Antonio Banderas is a tough P.I., who ends up over his head in a conspiracy that will drain your will to live. If you like people talking non-stop about neutrons (even during sex), you may enjoy it.

    A great cast is squandered, Banderas tries hard, but the whole film is just a total and absolute waste of everyone's time, especially the viewer's. How the director got these actors together is beyond me. To be fair, it is very well made, and looks great, but the script is so smug and self-satisfied, you'll wince at pretty much every line.

    Thinking about it makes my head hurt, don't be sucked in by the cast, you'll regret it. The good reviews here must be from friends of the director...
  • comment
    • Author: Samugor
    Big Bang really stimulates all your senses and is really a mind blowing film. Take Pi, Sin City, and others and toss them in the trash. This is the film that they wanted to be. In the style of noir films of Chandler and others, this film brings life to an old genre with fantastic images, composition, ideas, and sound/music track.

    The plot if simple: private eye has to find missing person, but the execution of the idea is really modern in today's technological and philosophical astuteness.

    Ned Cruz PI, (Banderas) has to find a missing loved one for this bear of a Russian, Protopov. If Stalin had him in WW II, the war would be over in months. Imagine Protopov against Max Schmeling. Game over.

    I agree with the poster on Sam Elliot. He is so intense that he can be overdone and come off like a wild Gary Busey. Too much dialog and a crazy role. The babes are nice and hot. The cast of characters is delightful and unexpected.

    In Big Bang you will be well rewarded with characters, images, philosophy and plot that makes this mandatory viewing.

    Kiss Me Deadly, has a uranium based McGuffin, so why can't the "god particle" be a McGuffin? And it was tied into another nebulous, impossible to define concept without any physical proof...love.

    I will have to see this again and with some friends to spread the word. If I can find this in the $5 bin at Wal-Mart, awesome!

    I always like to see something that challenges me. And as one character in the special features section said in Bad Lieutenant, the Herzog version, "I like to see a movie and say, what the hell was that"! Well, here you go.
  • comment
    • Author: showtime
    Antonio Banderas stars as Ned, a detective who has just acquired a new client. A giant man with anger issues who is looking for the love of his life, a sexy woman whom he's never met. He was stuck in prison and she kept his hope alive by writing to him. Now he's out and is looking for her. Along the way Ned finds himself being followed and dead bodies turn up everywhere. Is there more to this case than meets the eye?

    The short answer is no. The Big Bang is a film that promises much and delivers little. I'm a lover of detective flicks. Film Noir is one of my favourite genres and this flick looked promising and at the very least visually pleasing. It succeeded on the latter portion, since the film is drenched is vibrant colours that wouldn't exist in a normal realistic setting. Each room has it's own colour scheme, we go from green to yellow to red to purple. All the colours of the spectrum are portrayed here and it's enough to grab your sense. The story on the other hand is enough to bore you out of the experience.

    We meet Ned in an interrogation room where three cops are questioning him about the events that lead up to his current situation. So a good portion of the film is told in flashbacks from Ned's perspective. His character is the classic film noir detective, minus the outfit. The character himself has zero relate-ability and is not interesting enough for a lead. The case itself isn't interesting enough. We are on the quest to find a woman and at some points during the film, we wonder is she even exists. A subplot to the story is Chris Elliott's character, a billionaire reclusive who is looking for the God Particle. It's very science fiction in parts and his quest for such a thing leads the the inevitable climax, which is right out of the film 2012.

    The sad part is that the film is not interesting enough to keep your attention. It might be pretty to look at, but for a film that relies so heavily on the mystery of the film noir genre, it fails to attract attention. There are parts of the film that I don't get because I think I started to day dream while it was on. I got the gist of it and the answers behind the questions regarding the missing girl are so uneventful that you wish you never began. The film comes off a w wacky out of this world depiction of the genre, but it really isn't. The colours and one or two scenes are unique, but the film as a whole is just a messy script with mediocre direction. As stated before, the cinematography is the highlight.

    I can't recommend this flick, it's not out there enough to please Lynch fans and it's not Film noir enough to please Chinatown fans. Instead it feels like a missed opportunity. A cool credit sequence might get you excited, but the lack of direction in the story will leave you deflated.
  • comment
    • Author: elegant stranger
    I'm a casual movie buff, not a genera expert or closet critic. I can't speak to the films undertones or subtext. All I can tell you is what I thought.

    The Big Bang showed up on Netflix streaming a few days ago and since it had Banderas in it I tossed it in my queue. I had no idea what it was about, no idea when it was released or how well it did in the box office. I just figured that it couldn't be worse than "Ecks vs. Sever".

    Ten minutes in I was hooked. I know some people won't like the extreme visual style, hard juxtaposition and modern take on Nior style, but I found it interesting. As for the plot it kept me guessing (wrong) to the very end.

    As far as the acting goes I thought it was good. Banderas I (almost) always like. Sienna Guillory I'd never heard of and Sam Elliot in a role I would have NEVER imagined him in. The movie is full of good supporting actors too. Thomas Kretschmann, Bill Duke, William Fichtner and move. Everyone does a good job.

    The stand out for me was the quirky character of Fay Neman played by Autumn Reeser. She and Banderas share the chattiest love scene ever and redefine physics geeks.

    I enjoyed this movie and I'll watch it again. It's strange but compelling and worth the hour and a half.
  • comment
    • Author: Arabella V.
    The basic plot is the same as the Raymond Chandler novel and two previous films (Murder, My Sweet with Dick Powell and a later version with Robert Mitchem). Bandaras plays a similar hard boiled private eye to Philip Marlowe, hired by a huge ex-boxer and ex-con to find his lost stripper girlfriend. He travels from LA to finally Mexico but along the way meets an assortment of interesting characters, gets beaten up a lot, and gets involved with a search for lost diamonds and the meaning of the universe. Beautiful surreal use of colors and a lot of green screen effects. Some classic cars. Elements of David Lynch and The Big Lubowski as well. A lot of fun and very unique.
  • comment
    • Author: Brightfury
    ...primarily on the strength of a surprisingly witty (though highly derivative--my jury is out on plagiarism) script and competent direction from the benighted team that brought us "Otis," along with a pretty good cast headed by Antonio "Desperado" Banderas, whose Spanish accent has shown much improved intelligibility over the years. Support from the likes of William "Drive Angry" Fichtner, Autumn "Valentine" Reeser, Thomas "King Kong" Kretschmann, Delroy "Malcolm X" Lindo, Robert "300" Maillet, Sam "Road House" Elliott, and Sienna "Resident Evil: Apocalypse" Guillory is of piece; there's really not a weak link in the bunch. Shelly "The Wolfman" Johnson's camera wrangling is appropriately stylish and well-lit, Johnny "The Smiths" Marrs' score fits nicely, and the production/artistic design and visual effects belie the relative low budget of the whole affair. Despite its direct-to-video fate, "The Big Bang" would have likely done well on the big screen, given proper promotion. I didn't really care, since I only venture out to the theater for films that absolutely demand my early attention anyway.

    The only genuine conceit of the show is its insinuation of concepts of quantum physics into the plot line, with various visual references to same scattered throughout the film. It's a reasonably clever gimmick that's mostly pulled off well, and at least ties in with the climactic denouement. The average spud may not understand or appreciate most of it, of course, but it still elevates "The Big Bang" at least a notch above standard Hollywood fare, and certainly well above typical direct-to-video offerings.

    Definitely worth a watch for genre fans.
  • comment
    • Author: Unsoo
    Direct to Video or B movies used to mean a bad story, b or c list stars, and mediocre action/horror/effects. The 1970's, 1980's, and the early 1990's were the hay day for these kinds of films. Films such as Piranha and Piranha II, Space Rage, Moon 44, Rising Storm, and the endless serial killer/horror movies to name a few. Things began to change in the mid 1990's and the invention of the DVD, but I really believe it was the endless the many B movie companies, and the Big ones seeing the chance to make money decided to get involved also, which put more money and better stars into the movies. Stars like Eric Roberts, Keith David, Val Kilmer, Michael Maidson, Roy Schieder, Samuel L. Jackson, James Woods, and above average to good films like End Game, Unthinkable, The Peacekeeper, Chaos, Executive Target, Edison, and Streets of Blood to name a few. Direct to DVD isn't a bad thing anymore and a quiet a few of them are as good if not better than films being release in theaters now, which leads me to The Big Bang.

    The Big Bang is a suspense/drama/comedy starring Antonio Banderas, William Fichtner, Sienna Guillory, Thomas Kretschmann, and Delroy Lindo. The plot follows Ned Cruz (Antonio Banderas) waking up in a police interrogation room with three police officers Detective Poley (William Fichtner), Detective Skeres (Deloroy Lindo), and Dectective Frizer (Thomas Kretschmann). The three detectives begin to question Ned, and Ned begins his story which he tells in the first person and narrates it. The story starts up when private detective Ned Cruz is finishing up a case for a high profile and eccentric actor Johnny Nova played well by James Van Der Beek. What ensues is funny as Johnny Nova's house blows up after Ned leaves with his payment nearly killing him. Ned is questioned by Det Frizer but let go. Ned returns to his office and about to head out when Anton Protopov (Robert Maillet) asks Ned to find a woman names Lexie Persimmon (Sienna Guillory) who had been writing him in prison. The thrilling suspense/drama ensues mixed beautifully with comedy.

    The acting was superb, although Kretschmann, Lindo, and Fichtner don't have to do much in the film. That being said their still brought out their A games, and made their characters interesting. Banderas was excellent in this film mixing a straight face with comedy wonderfully. In my opinion the minor actors steal the show. Sam Elliott (Simon Kestral) playing a recluse billionaire, Robert Maillet who is a huge and scary man plays a very likable character. Jimmi Simpson (Niels Geck) who plays the lead scientist for Simon's experiment. Then there is Sienna Guillory the beautiful actress who by the end the movie has stole the show with her beauty and acting. There is even Snoop Dog who plays a porn director who did a good job and as always enjoyed his scenes.

    The action was few and far between, but it works for this film. I find that most Hollywood films coming out now try to stuff action down our throats. I can understand why most Americans now don't have long attention spans so studios have to have explosion, car chase, or someone being killed every five minutes. I think that hurts films it takes away from the story, the actors, and characters, which makes a good film into an average one, or a bad film into an average one. The Big Bang doesn't try to stuff violence and action down your throats. It doesn't have to, it has a great story, with good acting, and decent action.

    Overall this is a great film, and better than many movies that have come out into the theaters recently. I gave this film 5/5 stars and recommend everyone see this. I don't think you'll be disappointed.
  • comment
    • Author: Bliss
    The very first thing to say is this... 1/2 the people will love this film and 1/2 the people will think it is really stupid. That is just a plain, true fact, trust me...

    This is one of those films that add SO much style and imagination that if you are the kind of person (like me) who loves this kind of groovy stuff, then this movie will strike you as totally unique and mind- blowing. However... if you are also like a lot of other people, and God bless 'em..., who are not into these kinds of visual, 'Artsy', Ultra-Stylish Crime Thrillers, then this movie will likely leave you flatter than Chaz Bono... Needless to say, this is an EXTREMELY polarizing film and highly subjective in it's entertainment value depending on who's watching it. Let me put it this way. If you like visually stylized films that are clearly NOT 'Realistic', but almost have a more Adult Fairy Tale quality to them AND if you are into Physics or Science, or even Metaphysics or Philosophy, then I think you will find a lot to like here.

    I will admit that I am a TOTAL sucker for these kinds of films. But, then again, my imagination tends to burn in overdrive and I love just about ANYTHING that incorporates clever creativity (Now, although I DO love many of his films, I am not quite talking about the cartoon extremes of Tim Burton here, but films on a more serious, Adult level) Another clue as to why I like this film is that one of my VERY favourite directors is David Lynch. Now, granted, Lynch works more in the deep, murky recesses of the Dark Unconscious, but the level of creative imagination here is somewhat along these lines. I notice that even in 'Official' reviews, that a number of reviewers who I normally read and check what they have to say about films, quickly dismiss this movie as pretentious and of little substance, but I absolutely disagree...

    Again, this kind of film, like any form of Art, Poetry, Music, or Humour, is HIGHLY subjective where many will appreciate and love it and equally many will find it leaves them cold. So, it is a VERY hard film to review and give a balanced impression as to why ***I*** really liked it and yet in all fairness also warn those who's sense of 'Realism', believability or normalcy may seriously be put off by it. I'm not sure if the term 'Magic Realism' quite applies here, but it kind of reminds me of other films which have been described that way.

    As far as the premise is concerned, and others here have mentioned it, it is very similar to 1944's 'MURDER MY SWEET', an excellent Film Noir starring Dick Powell and Claire Trevor. But, take that film, drop some high quality acid (or some nice Shrooms) modernize it, and add what I personally felt were some intriguing thoughts about Science, The Big Bang Theory (thus the title) and Physics, and add some effective, tough-guy acting, a Noirish mood, excellent visuals, and you pretty much end up with this movie.

    So, the best I can say is that you absolutely HAVE to have a great imagination or at least appreciate really imaginative things, you CAN'T be a hard core 'Realist' who likes there films to be very concrete and believable and 'Normal', and if you can appreciate some really nice atmospheric visuals, and not to mention a truly BEAUTIFULLY rendered Blu-ray, then there is a good chance that you might like this film...

    This is a rare case where I have rated this film more according to how I feel, instead of more objectively as I normally do, because of the special type of film. So, an '8' to me, maybe a 6-7 for others in general...
  • comment
    • Author: Peras
    Ultra-stylish, completely off beat and exhilarating existential Neo-Noir by way of Raymond Chandler, by way of Theoretical Physics, by way of the the TIbetan Book of the Dead, by way of, well, you get it. A smörgåsbord of sensory overload with a witty script and worlds in collision.

    The film will have you in a state of bliss or make you feel like you can't escape from its universe of swirling objects and psychedelic imagery. A fitting Rock soundtrack with a spot on sensational look make this an entertaining diversion.

    The shortcomings are Banderas heavy accent that makes some of the narration and dialog a little hard to decipher but after awhile it doesn't seem so intrusive and the ending with the particle accelerator is a fizzle of a finale, but, the trip there is well worth the journey.
  • comment
    • Author: Hinewen
    Absolute horrendous. Terrible.

    Tries to mix one PI story with some b o l locks of absolute nonsensical and no attachment nor logic or deeper purpose whatsoever to the story.

    The only moron worse than whoever wrote this crap, were the people who actually financed this.

    Hopeless.

    I love Banderas but to watch this, I recommend you are drugged down on 50 mg liquid v ilium pr e-op in hospital or something.

    so many forbidden words which are normal words, get a grip IMDb.

    Have to add some lines here to pass validation... she sh. shew Shae

    lo scat. All words with a space in them are censored.

    Intrinsic madness lies open to the one who sees the eyes of the dead!
  • Cast overview, first billed only:
    Antonio Banderas Antonio Banderas - Ned Cruz
    Thomas Kretschmann Thomas Kretschmann - Frizer
    William Fichtner William Fichtner - Poley
    Sienna Guillory Sienna Guillory - Julie Kestral / Lexie Persimmon
    Delroy Lindo Delroy Lindo - Skeres
    Autumn Reeser Autumn Reeser - Fay Neman
    James Van Der Beek James Van Der Beek - Adam Nova
    Sam Elliott Sam Elliott - Simon Kestral
    Jimmi Simpson Jimmi Simpson - Niels Geck
    Bill Duke Bill Duke - Drummer
    Rebecca Mader Rebecca Mader - Zooey Wigner
    Robert Maillet Robert Maillet - Anton 'The Pro' Protopov
    Snoop Dogg Snoop Dogg - Puss
    Robert Ernie Lee Robert Ernie Lee - Russell
    Rachel Handler Rachel Handler - Minkowski's Stripper
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