Gattaca MPAA Rating: PG-13 Entertainment: +2 1/2 Content: -1

Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman star in this sci-fi technology thriller. Hawke plays a young man in a future time who is born naturally when all his peers are genetically engineered. With an imperfect heart, Hawke stands little chance against the others who are genetically superior, and he slips into the lower class of a new caste system which has developed. A system in which the genetically pure rise to the top and naturally-born humans become their servants. But Hawke searches on the black market and finds a man who can solve his problem. Genetically engineered humans who have become crippled or disabled, now no longer able to hold a job, sell their genes to the highest bidder. Hawke takes the man in, and in return, the man allows Hawke to use his blood and urine in tests so that Hawke can get a job with the prestigious space agency, Gattaca. But a murder has taken place within the Gattaca ranks, and the subsequent police investigation may not only find the killer, but may also uncover Hawke's true identity, ruining his life forever. Audiences will be disappointed with the lack of tension in this thriller and also with the failed romantic combination of Hawke and Thurman.

Offensive material aside, GATTACA fails to provide much redeeming moral content. The hero breaks through the caste system, and so might inspire others to fight oppression and discrimination. But the dialogue contains four crude words and two f-words. The Lord's name is taken in vain six times, and a few violent scenes slip into the action. In one, Hawke beats a police officer so that he can escape and avoid detection. In the other scenes, the bloody head wound of a murder victim is shown up-close. Sex is implied once between the two lovers, but the only nudity in the film comes when the audience gets a quick glimpse of Hawke's backside as he washes on the beach to rub off skin flakes that might blow his cover. A male doctor admires a male patient's unshown genitals during an examination, explaining that he wished his parents had ordered him one like that when they genetically engineered him. Because this film is not only offensive, but boring as well, viewers may want to choose another movie.

Preview Reviewer: Jason Shepherd
Distributor: Sony Pictures Entertainment, 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City CA 90232