Some cinematic genres tend to be formulaic. The formula is neither intrinsically good nor bad but can get tiring. Science fiction has a slightly higher ceiling for tolerance on this issue. Similar plot threads and structures can be reinvigorated with new technological innovations, both in and out of the narrative. Look at Virtuosity, a film that borrows a lot from various sources to assemble a strange, unique experience.
The careers of Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe have little in common. Washington has starred in several of the finest dramas of all time while simultaneously retaining an impressive career as an action star. Crowe has proven himself a much more eclectic performer willing to take wild risks and fascinating character roles. Their paths have crossed twice. The second, American Gangster, was one of the most financially and critically successful crime films ever made. The first was Virtuosity.
What is Virtuosity About?
In the distant future of 1999, a programmer named Dr. Daniel Lindenmeyer developed a virtual reality program to train police officers in high-pressure scenarios. Former cop Parker Barnes is forced to test the simulation during his 17-year stint in federal prison. Barnes lost his badge after shooting two innocent bystanders while bringing the terrorist who killed his family to justice. After Lindenmeyer's VR rig kills another cop, he prepares to shut down the simulation. Lindenmeyer created the perfect criminal to test his officers. SID 6.7 is an amalgamated artificial intelligence composed of over 200 of the most violent serial killers, cult leaders, and other famous monsters. SID, his name an acronym meaning "Sadistic, intelligent, dangerous," discovers he's about to be deleted and convinces his creator to grant him a body, unleashing him upon the world.
As soon as SID reaches reality, he becomes an unsolvable problem. The chief of police determines that Parker Barnes is the only man that can bring SID to justice. He offers Parker a deal. If he can bring down the murderous android, he'll be pardoned and set free. When Parker discovers that the terrorist that killed his family is part of SID's criminal consciousness, he becomes dead set on putting the machine down. SID subsequently develops a fascination with Parker, leading to several complex cat-and-mouse games. SID's a monster willing to go to any extreme to defeat his foe, but Parker is fighting for his life. It's a tense duel of wits that tests the might of both parties.
Is Virtuosity A Good Movie?
There is very little of Virtuosity that hasn't been seen elsewhere. Denzel plays Parker Barnes with his usual charm and gravitas, but that doesn't do anything to fix his generic role and backstory. The old "former cop gets pulled back into the force to deal with a problem only he can handle" is ancient at this point. Russell Crowe as SID is also fantastic, an utterly unhinged cackling maniac in the style of a makeup-free Joker. The character is effectively just a Terminator without the usual expectation of cold efficiency. The cast is the best element of the film by far. The writing is occasionally entertaining but usually rather dim.
There's a lot to be said for the unique aesthetic of Virtuosity. It's dated in the best possible way. Director Brett Leonard is best known for his widely despised adaptation of Steven King's The Lawnmower Man, which King himself found so offensive he successfully sued to have his name removed from the title. However, his true magnum opus is unquestionably the music video for Billy Idol's "Shock to the System." That track was the second single off of Idol's career-killing concept album Cyberpunk. In short, Idol got really into William Gibson in the early 90s. "Shock to the System" depicted Idol being forcefully cybernetically altered as a blunt metaphor for the 1992 LA riots. It's a hilarious video that captures so much of Leonard's empty "isn't the future neat" cyber-but-not-really-punk vision before he doubled down with Virtuosity.
How Does Virtuosity End?
No need to act shocked, but the cop catches the bad guy. SID frames Parker for the death of a hostage. The chief prepares to execute Parker for the murder, but a police psychologist named Dr. Carter proves Parker's innocence. SID kidnaps Carter's daughter. Parker destroys SID's android body, but his consciousness still exists in VR. Parker and Carter enter the simulation to trick SID into revealing the location of Carter's daughter. They succeed, but Lindenmeyer almost traps Parker in the VR rig. Carter kills Lindenmeyer and saves Parker, so he can save her daughter. Parker saves the day and destroys SID's module.
Virtuosity is a bizarre film that fails at many of the things it sets out to do. It's also an extraordinarily entertaining action movie with some outstanding performances. People don't make goofy semi-cyberpunk action films like this anymore. Virtuosity flopped at the box office and was savaged by critics, both with good reason. Almost 30 years later, it's an absolute treat to watch with a group of raucous friends.