Virtuosity Movie Review

Parker Barnes, an ex-cop with a tragic past, is sprung from his unjust imprisonment when he agrees to help capture computer-generated killer Sid 6.7. Sid has escaped from cyberspace with the help of his mad-scientist creator, and goes on a murderous rampage in 1997 Los Angeles. This virtual-reality bad guy has a personality composed of some 200 serial killers and criminal minds (including the murderer of Parker's wife), so Parker's got his work cut out for him. Conveniently, criminal-behavior psychologist Madison Carter (Kelly Lynch) is around to lend her expert advice. Sid taunts Parker with recollections of his wife's murder and tries to frame him for additional crimes. Sid enjoys the game and especially likes Parker as an adversary. The silly plot is somewhat overcome by strong performances from Russell Crowe as the deliciously evil Sid (his symphony of screams is truly sadistic), and Washington as the unflinchingly noble hero. Director Brett Leonard is a cyberspace veteran, previously helming The Lawnmower Man.

1995 (R) 105m/C Denzel Washington, Russell Crowe, Kelly Lynch, Stephen Spinella, William Forsythe, Louise Fletcher, William Fichtner, Costas Mandylor, Kevin J. O'Connor; D: Brett Leonard; W: Eric Bernt; C: Gale Tattersall; M: Christopher Young. VHS, Beta PAR