Out May 19th, HBO’s new Fahrenheit 451 film adapts the 1953 Ray Bradbury sci-fi novel for modern audiences. As prescient and haunting as ever, this new take hits surprisingly close to home. Starring the phenomenal Michael B. Jordan as fireman Guy Montag, the film depicts a future where Firemen burn books instead of dousing flames. Michael Shannon stars alongside Jordan as mentor-turned-antagonist John Beatty.
Burn, Baby
In the film’s not-so-outlandish future, technology is your friend and books are your enemy. At least, that’s what the Ministry says. The populace has somewhat willingly thrown away moral complexity and higher thought for internet-fueled entertainment. Crowds of people never see one another as they stumble along with VR headsets. People watch livestreams of the Firemen raiding secret caches of forgotten literature. The Ministry watches on through everyone’s personal assistant AI. And the treasured knowledge of the past goes up in flames.
Dark Reflections
Jordan is at his best when he’s conflicted, and in this film, we see him in rare form. As Montag, he chews on his indecision: why does he do this? What does it accomplish? Does any of this mean anything, or truly benefit society? The viewer is made to face the same questions. How willingly do we give up our privacy? How willingly do we throw away the wisdom of previous generations? This film will definitely make you shoot a sidelong glance at your Echo or Google Assistant.
Smokin’
This is a film sure to capture your attention and make you reflect on your relationship with technology. Gorgeously shot and oozing heat from every scene, Fahrenheit 451 remains just as relevant and pressing in its new form as it ever was in book form. The irony isn’t loss on this adaptation that is has, by its very existence, burned the book that spawned it. A gripping and thought-provoking tale, this is sci-fi in its oldest and purest form: as cautionary tale and explosive entertainment in one.
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