Bod obnovy

La primera toma con la música al estilo de Zimmer sorprende, teniendo cuenta de que es una película checa. La monumental escenografía exterior con un gran diseño, que incluye coches, hologramas e imágenes digitales, es de clase mundial en Restore Point. En cuanto a la trama, no importaría que solo se trate de una película policíaca en un ambiente de ciencia ficción. Minority Report también lo era. La desventaja es el esfuerzo por mantener al espectador en una tensión continua con una resolución constante, a menudo innecesariamente serpenteante, de la trama a través de diálogos, diálogos y más diálogos. Sin una implicación original y más llamativa en la trama, yo no estaba dispuesto (y encima durante la proyección nocturna del festival después de todo el día, ni siquiera era capaz) de absorber esta combinación tan exagerada. La próxima vez, sería mejor trabajar con un tema más original, eliminar la charla, equilibrarla con pasajes relajantes para conocer a los personajes y el resultado será genial. Incluso podría ser una serie de películas con la misma señorita detective. La interpreta una actriz bien elegida que se ve bien y su personaje invita a ser desarrollado. [Karlovy Vary IFF] (06.07.2023)

En cuanto al escenario, los efectos especiales y la representación global de la atmósfera y el funcionamiento de su mundo, Restore Point es definitivamente uno de los logros más notables de los últimos años en el campo del cine checo. Sin embargo, es una gran lástima que al mismo tiempo tenga una trama tan trivial y un guion inmaduro, que, si se le quitan todos los atractivos visuales, ofrece solo una policíaca banal al estilo televisivo. Y, además de eso, variaciones sobre motivos que ya hemos visto en otras películas, a menudo mejores (Minority Report, por ejemplo, se mencionará mucho en relación con esta película). Agradezco el esfuerzo, pero podría haberse perfeccionado mucho más. [KVIFF 2023] (08.07.2023)

Estoy muy contento de que se haya hecho una película así en nuestro país. Necesitamos ver entre las películas checas géneros a los que no estamos acostumbrados en nuestras tierras. No podemos hacer sin cesar comedias, dramas sociales, biopics o todo tipo de películas policíacas tontas, mediocres y en ocasiones hilarantes, de lo contrario estaremos en la periferia europea. Restore Point es un excelente impulso para otros cineastas que quieran aventurarse en géneros no tradicionales. Y para dar el papel protagonista a una actriz completamente desconocida, que por cierto hizo muy bien su trabajo, actuando como una policía-solista natural y complementando a los experimentados Neužil y Hádek. El único punto negativo, mencionado también en otras resenas y opiniones, lo veo en el guión. Me pareció recargado y complicado y como resultado todo el desenlace vacío y sin interés. Y esto es lo único que le falta para que sea un Minority Report checo.... (28.09.2023)

The 4 stars really aren't out of mercy. Anyone who's even a little bit interested in the filmmaking process knows what a pain in the ass it is, especially in our neck of the woods, where you have to beg for every cent. I won’t even mention that the whole film could have been made into a 5-minute trailer with all the visual effects shots, because I'm glad at least for that. Also for the fact that finally there was a domestic film in the cinemas without Langmajer, young Polívka, Prachař etc., and that it is not one of the usual provincial semi-romantic movies Czech cinemas are full of and that nobody remembers two months later. Here, in the case of Robert Hloz, you can feel a worthy ambition to come up with something that stands out from the current Czech film production that is contentedly rotting away on Voyo and similar channels. And in this case, I have to turn a blind eye to the fact that, if you ignore the basic premise of "resetting", which is the only one that meets the standards of sci-fi, the whole plot and the paths it winds its way through is rather on the level of a mediocre TV crime show. But otherwise, the cinematography is very nice, the compositions are great at times, and in general the individual elements (the piano, the teeth with projection) are interesting and imaginative. Thanks for that, really. And by the way, the last such good Czech sci-fi film was a long 61 years ago! (28.01.2024)

If I were to write a review of Restore Point, the numerical rating would be average, maybe slightly above average, and might discourage someone from going to the cinema. That would be a huge mistake and, more importantly, something I wouldn't really want. This little attempt at Czech sci-fi that blew our minds with its trailer definitely has a lot to offer, and actually I'm still processing the fact that even in this country you can make a film that looks so good on a relatively modest budget. I'm not just talking about the quality of the effects, but about the production design, the work of the architect and the ability to learn what's right from foreign models and use it in a Czech film. To a certain extent, Restore Point is exactly the kind of film we were hoping for and shows that excuses like "we can't do it here" are really just excuses. Unfortunately, however, all those stunning visuals are not accompanied by a very interesting story. Restore Point is basically a whodunit, but unfortunately it's rather banal and boring, because it works with a minimum of characters and let's say that when Karel Dobrý is in a movie (and he does a good job), you somehow expect that he won't turn out to be a good person. As a crime drama, it eventually holds up with some effort, and there are some interesting solutions in the character work, but compared to the audiovisual aspect, the overall mediocrity and unattractiveness of the plot is almost distracting. I certainly didn't leave the cinema thinking I got ripped-off, though I'd be bullshitting if I said I didn't hope for better. Much better, actually. But for the sheer audacity to try the sci-fi genre here, and for how great Restore Point looks, its creators deserve your time and money for two hours. And then you can hope with me that next time it'll all go great. (05.07.2023)

A random collection of futuristic wallpapers surrounded by robotic characters, wooden dialogue and an utterly stupid plot devoid of psychology and a basic characterization of the world. In terms of narrative, Restore Point is on the level of a made-for-TV detective movie. The emphasis on design elevates it slightly, but this post-autopsy Blade Runner and post-trepanation Minority Report can’t be taken too seriously. (04.07.2023)

A traditional Czech crime drama set in a nice sci-fi world with a touch of Blade Runner, but with few visual attractions. The actors didn't impress me (although the female lead is likeable), the plot didn't entertain me at all, the film absolutely failed to draw me into the plot and it was quite difficult to keep my attention. I was rooting for it because it’s something a little different, but when it's boring as hell, it's a wasted effort. It will find fans, it missed me. 4/10. (26.01.2024)

The visuals are top-notch, not only for a Czech film, but on a world scale. The shots of the futuristic Prague must warm the heart of every Czech. Awesome cinematography by Filip Marek, plus a dramatic score that mimics a weaker Zimmer, and a pretty decent story that makes sense and is coherent. Unfortunately, though, to its detriment, the film is overcomplicated, terribly talky and doesn't bring much that's revolutionary, plus the twists are like from a film school. It’s like a crime TV-show but set in the future. The uneven cast and the little action show the limits that should be the focus for next time. Robert Hloz, however, did an incredible job and hats off to him for making it. Ironically, the "terrorists" were the most interesting. (27.01.2024)

This was good. Czech film sci-fi no longer has to feel like cheap TV entertainment or co-productions with friendly socialist countries (today's co-productions are freer, not an ideological choice). Recovery Point is undoubtedly an exceptional project, a solid detective story from the year 2041. The near future is built around the possibility of backing up humanity, which is a game changer. The lead male roles are played by classic faces of Karel Dobrý, Matěj Hádek, and Václav Neužil ml., while the actresses are new: Andrea Mohylová and Agáta Kryštůfková, and it will probably be a joy to watch what they do next. (20.09.2023)

I told myself I wouldn't give Restore Point a thumbs up just because it's a Czech film, and so I'm giving it an average rating, but I also encourage everyone to go to the cinema and support a commendably different domestic film that we don't have to be ashamed of. The main problem with Restore Point, in my opinion, is the story, which piles one tired cliché on top of another, is either overwrought or, on the contrary, raises unnecessary questions... And it lasts almost two hours, which is really too much. Although I wouldn't go see it again, I certainly don't regret the money I spent on the ticket and I look forward to seeing what Robert Hloz makes next. (23.09.2023)

Restore Point is a bold and ambitious venture in Czech cinema, and I am glad that they embarked on it – even though the plot is a compilation of older foreign pieces. With its premise, Robert Hloz's film evoked projects like Black Mirror or Minority Report, while also having a strong cyberpunk feel. Despite these obvious influences, I enjoyed the film immensely in the cinema. Andrea Mohylová, unknown to me, played the main role perfectly, and Jan Vlasák and Milan Ondrík were the most appealing among the other characters. I wish Czechia made more films like this would be made regularly (once every few years), which could stand comparison with foreign productions. (01.10.2023)

Restore Point is a success not only for the director as an individual, but mainly for the Czech Republic as a country, because we have not been able to make a good film here, let alone good sci-fi, and now we have a good sci-fi film that can even compete with the world's best. The film boasts great visuals, with many detailed elements and ideas that are downright great and you can see that someone has played with them nicely, and the choice of locations and dark camera filter at certain moments can give the impression that you are watching a foreign Hollywood production, and that's a big plus in this genre. The actors are unexpectedly good, the lead agent is a likable and, exceptionally for Czech standards, she doesn't overact or push the envelope, so it's more than a good performance for her debut. The progression of the storyline is a common template, which in itself is nothing special, but it is the central idea that gives it a great deal of originality – each person can create his or her own restore point and reload from it after an unnatural death – this idea sounds fantastic on paper already, and when I take the film as a whole, it's an unexpectedly good affair, which is objectively more on the better side of average, in spite of the slightly rushed finale, but when I look at the film in comparison to other Czech work, it's something incredible, unprecedented in this country and deserving of all respect. I am impressed. (31.07.2023)

For a Czech production, this is a very precise piece of filmmaking, nothing to be ashamed of internationally. The creators did an excellent job both in technical execution and in telling a story with a very original and well-developed idea. From the script, through the visuals, to the acting performances, everything is carefully thought out and executed. Thanks and keep it up! (02.06.2024)

Let’s be honest... When was the last time something from the small Czech pond looked so globally impressive? You don’t know? Honestly, neither do I. The creative team around the young and talented director Robert Hloz took on an incredibly challenging task... But I can say they succeeded. The opening minutes hinted that we were in for something monumental. I was like a child seeing a candy store for the first time... The effort the creators put into the exteriors, design, and world-building was impressive. Sure, one could spot inspiration (whether in terms of story or visuals) from many American blockbusters, but as a Czech, I’m willing to forgive the film for that. And what about the story? There was a lot of speculation about whether it would be worth it. It’s true that I encountered some minor logical lapses in the script while watching, but nothing that disrupted the overall impression for me. The central idea with the "Restore Point" makes sense, and that’s what I consider most important. The ending was cliché, but I was pleased that it wrapped up in a meaningful way. I might rate it higher over time, but for now, it’s a solid seven out of ten. I’ll be keeping an eye on Hloz from now on (and also Andrea Mohylová... a very talented actress). Restore Point gets a 7/10. P.S. Go see it in movie theaters to support this unusual genre for us Czechs. The film deserves it :) (19.09.2023)