THX 1138

THX 1138 is a sharp criticism and warning of the ills brought upon society by developments in technology and the complacency in which people accept restricted freedoms in return for the continuance of robust American consumerism. The film covers several major aspects of modern---and predicted future---society, including religion, education, relationships, production and consumption, and media. Each of these aspects is portrayed as blatantly bad for people. The director---George Lucas---takes full advantage of the visual representation of the film to express to viewers how modern society and technology can strip us of our humanity, compassion, and values. He does this by having all characters wear uniform, sterile, costumes, coupled with uniform, sterile haircuts. The lighting throughout the film is dull, gray, and bleak, just like the lives of the people living inside the computerized world of the 25th century. The movie takes place in a virtually completely sterile environment, with mostly concrete and metal walls and floors, and the occasional complete white-out of all recognizable space. The acting compliments the setting, with the actors being very robotic, complete with simple, direct language in computerized, monotone voices, jerky movements, obvious lack of facial expressions, and interactions that contain little to no passionate body language. Though most modern sci-fi movies have dramatic classical music to emphasize the struggles of their characters, pump more energy into their car chases, and cue viewers to feel a certain way about a scene, THX 1138 is basically lacking in the soundtrack department, which is entirely appropriate for the dispassionate world of the characters. Instead, the sounds are mostly robotic and computerized. Viewers are not distracted from the real meaning of dramatic scenes by throbbing bass lines; instead, the drama is allowed to have its own show, and viewers are left with their own interpretations. With its emphasis on unhappiness in conformity, the absurdity of the religion of consumerism, and the way technology detaches us from the world of feeling, beauty, and real human connections, THX 1138 is essentially a re-imagined film version of the dystopian film Brave New World.