The suggestion of a hyper-real culture where simulations precede reality - or in this case, where reality is so malleable that it can actually be replayed if things go badly, just like a video game.
The emphasis on style over substance, with its impressively consistent use of chromatic coding of characters and themes, a technical coding (by mixing colour and black and white film with video) of the context of these events, and a techno soundtrack that perfectly fits the action.
The use of pastiche and cultural recycling, notably a recycling of the techniques and structure of computer role-playing games and rock music videos in the context of an action film. Symbolism Despite having such a small budget, the film made over $14 million and won 26 of the 41 awards that it was nominated for. International Success sound mise en scene editing camera film Threat's Chris Gore said of the film, " I delivers everything great foreign films should - action, sex, compelling characters, clever filmmaking, it's unpretentious (a requirement for me) and it has a story you can follow without having to read those annoying subtitles. I can't rave about this film enough
This is passionate filmmaking at its best. One of the best foreign films, heck, one of the best films I have seen" It was ranked #86 in Empire magazines "The 100 Best Films Of World Cinema" in 2010
