bob c
Len Deighton, Ken Russel, Michael Caine! But it’s junk. First five minutes OK and then fails.
Rated 1/5 Stars •
Rated 1 out of 5 stars
01/22/25
Full Review
Harry D
My recommendation is to take the time you would spend on this and repaint your living room. Watch it dry. At least your living room will have a new coat of paint. No plot, no development of any kind. Not even Michael Caine can save it. He has almost nothing to do. I don’t think it would even make a good Mystery Science Theater 3000 subject. The best part of this rambling pseudo spy film is the stylish artwork in the Doctors apartment. All the rest is forgettable.
Rated 0.5/5 Stars •
Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars
01/16/25
Full Review
Sabrina F
I will give Ken Russell this, Billion Dollar Brain is chock full of wintery, Cold War atmosphere. A lot of the scenes are supposed to take place in Finland, Latvia and Russia, though a bit takes place in Texas. The score is on point, conveying the appropriate tone of each scene. I love every scene we get between Harry Palmer and his boss Colonel Ross. They have a contentious relationship, but they also having a grudging respect for one another. There are some good performances here, but that is the extent of my praise.
The problem is that the tone and storyline are all over the place. I kept feeling like I was missing a part of the puzzle. It all comes together at the end, but I spent most of the film confused. I am dure the novel makes more sense. I also disliked the odd tonal shifts, The attempts at comedy fell flat for me. Rather commit to a spy parody film and go full camp, or commit to making a serious, moody spy thriller. There was also far too much scenery chewing going on. I can admire beautiful scenery, too, but I watch movies for the storyline, at the end of the day.
So, "Dear, Filmmakers, I don't care if your film is pretty. Give me an engaging story first and foremost, and if you make your film a visual feast, even better. But the story should come first."
Rated 1.5/5 Stars •
Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars
11/30/24
Full Review
CodyZamboni
Elaborate Harry Palmer sequel, with lots of James Bond like influences, ie, the credit sequence, immense high tech sets, and hundreds of soldier extras. Movie has a campier approach this time, and is a bit over the top with crazed Texan Ed Begley screaming rants against communism and his fascist imagery. But holding it all together is Michael Caine with his smart ass, jaded attitude to the events, the double crosses, authority figures and his need for money. Movie energetically directed by Ken Russell, and has one of the best double piano movie scores ever. The location shooting in Finland really effective in making things look freezing cold.
Rated 3.5/5 Stars •
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars
10/30/23
Full Review
Dave S
With Billion Dollar Brain, director Ken Russell proved early in his career that he at least had the potential to make a decent movie. Compared to Lisztomania and Tommy, Billion Dollar Brain looks like Citizen Kane. In the final instalment of the short-lived Harry Palmer franchise, P.I. Palmer (Michael Caine) embarks on a quest to retrieve a package of virus-laden eggs, eventually leading him to a convoluted and absurd plot to topple Communism. The first half hour or so is actually kind of fun, but things eventually spiral out of control in typical Russell fashion. Ed Begley gives an absolutely ridiculous performance as the flag waving American intent on destroying the USSR, the last half hour can't decide whether it's going for laughs or thrills (it accomplishes neither), and, overall, you can't help but have the feeling that you've been horribly punked.
Rated 2/5 Stars •
Rated 2 out of 5 stars
10/27/23
Full Review
Audience Member
Fun third entry in the Harry Palmer series. Gets more "Bondish" than the previous entries, but Harry still remains somewhat grounded and down to earth. Ken Russell directs - though he keeps his wilder tendencies (mostly) in check.
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
02/24/23
Full Review
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