"Fight Club"
1999
R
Produced by: Art Linson, Cean Chaffin, Ross Grayson Bell
Directed by: David Fincher
Written by: Jim Uhls
Starring: Edward Norton, Brad Pitt, Helena Bonham Carter
Fox 2000 Pictures

5/5 Stars 
Consensus:Gritty and relentless, Fight Club is a film that sticks and is one of the most enthralling and mesmerizing films ever made. The plot has been mimicked again and again, but never to such high quality, and the philosophical ideas you pick up and think about, whether you agree with them or not, are well worth the watch. A classic film with a cult following, Fight Club is in your face, and not about to go anywhere anytime soon. This movie rules.

Plot: After months without sleep a local insomniac, known only to us as "Narrator"(Edward Norton) befriends soap sales man "Tyler Durden"(Brad Pitt) who's paradigm and behaviors differ so drastically from his own he is immediately captivated by this rugged individual, and becomes involved in underground fighting rings the two begin outside a local bar.

Directing: From dry and witty cynisism delivered flawlessly by Norton, to sadistic punches and hits, David Fincher directs this classic journey of self discovery while capturing every inch of the wild world of Tyler Durden flawlessly. From Narrator's relationship with "Marla Singer"(Carter) and many other subtle hints, this film manages to be a cynical expose of societies quirks and shortcomings, often uncomfortably so. Between scathing philosophy to psychotic, and sadistic blows to the face David Fincher has an excellent eye for the point he, and Chuck Palahniuk were/are trying to make with this film. Agree with it or don't, they do a great job at driving anarchist and anti-consumerism messages home, again and again with every flab of fist and act of domestic terrorism contained within the film. *****

Acting: Pitt and Norton give the performance of a life time, playing off each other and the other actors brilliantly. Norton's transformation from working corporate pawn, to enlightened brawler, to psycho with a gun, are career marking and fantastically enjoyable. Pitt hits a career high as anarchist and sadist Tyler Durden, and completely fades into his role, from sadistic and maniacal laughs, to rants and raves about masculinity and the philosophy of fighting he is flawless. Carter is enjoyable to, and you can tell what a blast she has playing the local crazy girl. *****

Editing: The editing is fantastic, fade cuts, clips of "Tyler Durden" inserted before the character shows up, the pacing and everything are spotless. If one were studying good use of editing, this film is among the finest examples of editing in any film, its brilliant and captures and portrays a mood so thoroughly and noticeably within the film that the entire aura of the film is bolstered. This is hard to accomplish generally, and Fight Club does so fantastically. *****

Art Direction: From neatly combed corporate gardens and offices to the gritty residence of Tyler Durden the art direction is also spotless. What is especially notable is Norton's slow but sure transformation, from neat buisness clothes to running around major cities in boxer shorts, a jacket, and dress shoes. The fancy hotels, the gritty underground of the bar the club starts at, everything is spectacular. *****

Cinematography: Gorgeous takes and classic framing and symmetry, as well as discoloration and distortion, echo the film's war with the normal, and the entire vib of the film splendidly. In particular the scene wherein Tyler Durden and Narrator first fight is gorgeously framed and has a classic use of symmetry. Other close ups of Durden ranting and shots of Project Mayhem recruits crowding the rotting house where Durden and Narrator live are also gorgeous. *****

Screenplay: Both quotable and memorable, the screenplay takes us through such a memorable journey of action and mayhem, all narrated with witty dry sarcasm. As the plot progresses the language gets harsher, the violence grittier and the scheme thicker. Between the opening scene and line of "with a gun between your teeth you speak only in vowels" to the closing sequence of destruction and mayhem whilst Norton and Carter  hold hands the The Pixies "Where is My Mind?" the screenplay, dialogue, and plot are among the most intriguing and engaging to be found. *****

CGI/Special Effects: There is an extremely animated and fake looking penguin, but I feel like it is intentionally fake and animated looking as part of the satire of the film. The explosions rule, and all the other speical effects are pummeled in faces and.. soap. So although the penguin looks crappy, I feel like it was intentionally done so, and thus... *****