Jackrabbit (2015) User Reviews

Very good low budget retrotech dystopian sci-fi

[texasarcane · 6/10 · 2 April 2020]

A lot of ideas here and they are crushed into a single film.

The cyberpunk elements and dystopian vibe is way better than Hollywood has ever been able to capture in their big budget flicks.

Some John Carpenter pulse synth, a kind of 80's feel and some weird salvage tech that feels somehow familiar.

Most people wouldn't have enough cultural context to get a lot of this movie. It's too dense for most viewers nowadays.

I found it engaging and the visuals were convincing. The effects for the EMP burst and the exposition were really well done.

The acting was not cringe at all. Great characterization.

I am a big fan of 70's science fiction and this reminded me of the very best films from that era.

Anyone deserves a couple points for effort.

[heresbigmike · 5/10 · 28 March 2016]

Good Idea, Probably not enough money ! I watched the whole thing, Something was missing!Low budget somewhere out In the dessert, Good acting newbies although the screenplay could have Included a little more Intensity . Although It had a great story line, It lacked In some of that Hollywood Intensity !It's almost a documentary , because It doesn't Incorporate the luster and Intensity Of an actual movie,with all the action and Drama!, perhaps a little Exaggeration,. It's a good movie, It contains a lot of drama although It seems to drag on as It has nothing else ! As I said I watched the whole thing, and the whole time I was waiting for something Exciting, It never happened!

Unknown host is hacking your computer

[nogodnomasters · 5/10 · 23 February 2018]

The film takes place in Austin, Texas now known as "City 6" twenty-five years after "the reset." The reset was never fully explained and provided one of those mystery aspects that was unnecessary. The world lost most of its modern electronics (we see VHS and record players) and there is a constant cloud cover over City 6. Announcements about the dangers of airborne radioactive contamination that is present is made daily. People take iodine pills.

The story centers on Simon (Josh Caras) an electronic geek who recently got a job with VODO, a corporation that are the benign rulers of the city. Currency is all electronic bits. Food and gas is available in supply, enough to prevent a Mad Max world. After the suicide of Eric, Simon meets Max (Ian Christopher Noel) an anarchist type electronic wizard who wants out of the city. He gets a coded message that sends him and Simon out to look for the mysterious answers following obscure clues.

THEME PLOT SPOILER: The film asks the question of security vs. freedom. VODO provides for the people and keeps them alive. "Technology maintains stability." They don't want more people to come in and overload their capacity to produce. Nor do they want people to leave and risk telling people about the City. There is something else out there, but what? Other cities? Desert? Radiation?

Note: Iodine pills would no longer be needed after 25 years. The question would be was there something else in the pill, or was this something the script writers flubbed on their research?

Guide: F-word. No sex or nudity. The back of Joslyn Jensen neck was the only eye candy

Everybody liked it? Well I don't.

[deloudelouvain · 3/10 · 13 April 2018]

Once again I got tricked into watching a movie by reading positive reviews. I should have known better but you never know, sometimes there are really good low-budget indie movies. Unfortunately this is not one of them. Even though the actors are unknown to me it wasn't their fault because their acting was actually not bad. It's just the story and the lack of explanation that makes this movie just mediocre. Slow paste with almost no action, no sci-fi scenes at all probably due to the low budget. Instead you get a couple guys with old computers, the kind of computers you would not even find on the thrash pile anymore. It doesn't make any sense since we're in a far future. Like the whole movie that doesn't make any sense. Waste of time for me.

Surprisingly good for a low-budget indie SF film

[JaynaB · 7/10 · 26 November 2016]

This film achieves a lot with limited sets, low tech, and a handful of unknown actors.

The dystopian mood is well-maintained through not only the soundtrack but with camera angles, colour palette and lighting; all of these speak to both technical skill and consistency of directorial vision.

The lead characters are bare-bones but not stereotypical. They appear genuinely vulnerable, in keeping with their surroundings.

The plot is not unique - self-serving and ostensibly socially-protective corporation versus the ordinary man - but the psychological aspects are well done.

There are moral choices to be made.

A surprisingly good low-budget indie SF film.

Dystopia where only 1980s Games & Computers Survive

[in1984 · 8/10 · 2 April 2016]

8.1 of 10. As science fiction or cyberpunk, this would have been better timed during the late 1980s or early 1990s. Nonetheless, it's an entertaining and insightful look at one possibility if the wi-fi and other elements that enable current computer and mobile phone technology no longer function.

The world is essentially now less the mobile tech and massive media structure. Broadcasting is limited to radio-like communication and there remains a slow, phone modem like Internet.

Beyond that it's essentially another variation of a smart but naive young adult driven by success discovering himself and the world. Despite the lack of major studio money and actors, it is well cast and acted enough not to get in the way of the film's flow.

Not bad!

[beelliss88 · 7/10 · 7 August 2016]

After watching this film I must admit I have no idea what the heck it was about!! Yet I must say that the sound track was probably one of the best sound tracks I have ever heard! OK I did understand this film a little but again the sound track was an absolutely amazing listen! The mood was set perfectly through out and it kept me wanting to keep on watching! I am a person that needs music to keep me going with a film and this film was exceptionally well sounded! The mood was well rounded towards each scene and the seemingly "bad" lighting was absolutely perfect! I would recommend watching this if you are a sound track person!

In the new genre of low budget Sci fi, this is a thoughtful, soulful entry

[karen-821-938620 · 8/10 · 8 June 2016]

Don't expect explosions, aliens or CGI of any sort. It isn't even too plot driven and none of the twists are too surprising. What is surprising are the sophisticated cinematic techniques that create a film reminiscent of Altman, Aldridge or Hal Hartley. Background conversations, radio broadcasts, meticulously constructed sets, and a naturalistic, somewhat flat acting style create a palpable world with believable characters. All sorts of objects turn out to have significance and there is a door that practically becomes a character. All sorts of weird stuff turns out to have reasonable explanations by the end. Like the similar film "Advantageous" it explores themes of courage, honor and love.

The recent news story about the nuclear weapon systems being run by ancient code had me remembering my days programming for Lockheed in the '80's and this film gets that world. When one of the characters talks about going to a city in the desert where you could make a lot of money, I thought he meant relocating his company to Austin, but that turns out to be where the director was born and this was filmed. It was tapped to be the new silicon Valley during the Reagan administration, and, according to this movie, the dress code didn't change much.

Run Max Run....

[hannah-13696 · 9/10 · 21 July 2020]

In a world that's controlled by a Tech Company; that controls your life (air, water, electricity) there are but a few people left. Something happened 25 years ago & they control your life now. You can't leave the area, the news is all you hear, warning you about the air quality & radiation levels. Is this truth or lies/propoganda? There's sirens like the 'purge' & can't be outside! Marshall law?? Warnings from a radio & cameras everywhere. Announcement's - 'Only go out for no more than an hour.' You can't see the stars & they want you to believe there's no life left anywhere but here; where ever that is. A strange sci-fi film.

Holy hell was that good

[hybrid-cyborg · 10/10 · 15 May 2016]

I gave this a 10/10. For me this movie had small slices of nostalgia from my childhood, mixed with my adult interests in cyberpunk and tech.

There was so many amazing qualities about this movie that hit you somewhere deep in your brain and really pull you into the atmosphere of the film. If you are at all into the cyberpunk genre, please watch this film because they got it right. This movie is one that I'm going to be watching over and over again. I love coming on IMDb and seeing that only a handful of people have reviewed a movie and I was one of them. But I really like to see more people get stoked off this film. Big thanks to everyone who helped make it, you've all inspired me.

Thumbs Up.

[jimincfalls · 10/10 · 6 October 2018]

You can't trust the trailer on this movie; its not a fast paced thriller. Its moody exploration of freedom and conformity done on a minimal budget. It excels in the characters and acting, especially the two lead roles, along with the music and the camera work. The final scene was killer.

Smart

[murtazakhan-85434 · 9/10 · 29 March 2016]

Watched the screening last in Texas Theater with Writers and Director. Carleton Ranney is very talented and has lot of potential. The movie has a very thrilling premise and at points it shows directional excellence. Music score is pretty kick ass, very engaging and goes completely in sync with situation. After the movie Carleton Ranney and Destin Douglas answered the questions and described the writing and direction process. This type of talent should be supported and encouraged. The movie has a very edgy feelings. It is lot better than other indie thrillers. It has repeat value as you will discover something new during next watch. Overall a very entertaining and engaging film. Would specially appeal to young moviegoers. Strong acting specially by Ian Christopher Noel .

A Surprisingly Good Dystopian Indie Film

[ethermusic1981 · 10/10 · 28 August 2022]

Jackrabbit is a surprisingly good low-budget dystopian Indie. Based on the current score, I was expecting a terrible film; after viewing it, I'm unsure if the majority of raters watched the same movie as I did.

It has good cinematography, a fitting minimal Carpenter-esque score, a decent premise and finale, all sorts of cool retro gear and computer tech, some awesome throwback Sci-Fi visuals, colorful characters and decent acting, great locations, and a couple of really good special effects.

Now, the film isn't perfect by any means. There are some pacing issues and a few head-scratching moments that could've been better executed with a bigger budget. And despite the aforementioned decent acting, there are a few rough moments from certain actors. But overall - and especially for such a low-budget project - Jackrabbit is exceptionally well done.

That this film received such a poor audience response is the real head-scratcher.

You should give this a view (and maybe support the film-makers other projects)

[verepaine · 8/10 · 3 April 2018]

This film may have a slow pace, but there is really a lot happening.

I enjoyed this movie and think it can entertain people across multiple genres.

But when I went to the website and played the companion games; I think that earned this another star or two!