Virtuosity

Denzel Washington's credentials as one of the best actors in the business were well known prior to the making of "Virtuosity". He had won an Best Support Actor Oscar for "Glory" and should have won the Best Actor Oscar for "Malcolm X". His known strengths allowed him to transcend less-than-stellar material to make this movie enjoyable. Afterwards, he went on to memorable roles in "Courage Under Fire" (for which he should have been nominated for an Oscar, but wasn't), "The Hurricane" (for which he should have WON the Oscar, but didn't), and "Training Day" (where he finally got his due with a Best Actor Oscar, ironically by defeating Russell Crowe).

Russell Crowe was practically unknown the public's eye at the time of this movie. He had made a memorable impression as a Neo-Nazi skinhead in "Romper Stomper", but few had seen this flick. His handling of the Syd 6.7 character demonstrated an acting ability that hinted at the promise of a long movie career. He subsequently followed "Virtuosity" with his first truly star-making role as tough-as-nails cop Bud White in "L.A. Confidential". His acting range continued to show itself in roles such as corporate whistle-blower, Jeffrey Wigand, in "The Insider", and as Roman warrior, Maximus, in the Oscar-winner "Gladiator" (for which Crowe, himself, won a Best Actor Oscar).

While nothing more than summertime confection, "Virtuosity" is a fun watch if for no other reason than you get to see two of the best actors around perform their craft well together to help a mediocre movie become a entertaining one.


Crowe steals the show   January 20, 2001
Mike T. (Rockford, IL)
10 out of 11 found this review helpful

Russell Crowe is fantastic and steals the spotlight away from Denzel Washington who also does a fine job in this futuristic movie.

I will be the first to admit that the storyline is not the greatest but the entertainment value is excellent. Russell Crowe (Sid 6.7) is a computer generated bad guy who needs all the attention that he can find. The only man for the job is Denzel Washington who is sent on a mission to find and destroy Sid 6.7. That is a tough problem because Sid can rebuild himself similiar to the Terminator.

The more attention that Sid receives the more outrageous he becomes. Kelly Lynch also stars as Denzels partner.

DVD sound and picture is very good.


Better than most of the 1995 crop of cyber-spam   August 11, 1999
9 out of 10 found this review helpful

Virtuosity isn't a brilliant movie, but it is at least somewhat innovative and entertaining from end to end. More than can be said for similar fare like "Hackers" or "The Net." Denzel Washington, as always, is a very good actor, and Kelly Lynch is competent if flaky, but the movie is stolen by Russell Crowe's psychotic performance as Sid 6.7. His antics make Virtuosity worth watching, especially the Saturday Night Fever reference.


Sid is the Reason to See This Movie   May 18, 2001
3 out of 3 found this review helpful

I just saw the movie largely becuase I had heard that Russell Crowe was brilliant in it and I was definitely not disappointed. He is brilliant and more. He is vicious and loving every minute of it. He has a killer sense of humor and a panther's grace. The plot is entirely average and Denzel Washington did not have enough to do. The only reason to see it, is to see yet another face of Russell Crowe performced beautifully.


An excellent choice...   July 1, 2000
^margs^ (Philippines)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful

If you want to see a good movie, rent Virtuosity. Not only does it have a good story, but the acting is outstanding. Russel Crowe's performance outdid Denzel washington's (who is a very good actor) by alot. For all Russel Crowe fans: this is a movie to rent. For all good movie fans: rent this movie. For all none Russel Crowe fans: after watching this movie you will be one.