Restore Point

Le tout premier plan, accompagné d’une musique à la Hans Zimmer, est stupéfiant lorsqu’on réalise qu’il s’agit d’un film tchèque. Les décors extérieurs monumentaux du film, au design remarquable, comprennent des voitures, des hologrammes et des images numérique, et sont de classe mondiale. Du point de vue de l’intrigue, peu importe qu’il s’agisse juste d’une histoire policière dans un univers de science-fiction : c’était la même chose pour Minority Report. Le problème, c’est cet effort pour maintenir le spectateur dans un état de tension permanente en faisant constamment, et souvent inutilement, dériver l’intrigue à travers des dialogues, des dialogues et encore des dialogues. En l’absence d’une immersion plus originale et plus percutante dans le récit, je n’ai pas été disposé ni même capable, dans le contexte d’une projection nocturne de festival après une longue journée, d’adhérer à cette surenchère. La prochaine fois, proposez un sujet plus original, supprimez les bavardages, rééquilibrez le film avec des moments de détente où l’on apprend à connaître les personnages, et ce sera super. On pourrait même imaginer une série de films avec la même héroïne. Elle est bien castée, elle est agréable à l’œil, et son personnage mérite d’être développé. [Festival du film de Karlovy Vary] (06/07/2023)

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)

Sur le plan de la mise en scène, des effets spéciaux et de la représentation globale de l'ambiance et du fonctionnement de son monde, Bod obnovy est certainement l'un des projets les plus remarquables du cinéma tchèque ces dernières années. Il est toutefois très dommage que l'ensemble soit contrecarré par une intrigue assez plate et un scénario inachevé car, une fois dépouillé de tous ses appâts visuels, il ne nous offre rien de plus qu'un banal polar de niveau télévisuel, assorti de variations sur des thèmes qu'on a déjà vus dans d'autres films souvent supérieurs (ce film résonne très souvent avec un certain Minority Report). J'apprécie l'effort, mais c'est quelque peu bâclé. [KVIFF 2023] (08/07/2023)

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)

Je suis très heureux qu'un tel film ait été réalisé chez nous. On a besoin de voir des genres auxquels on n'est pas habitués dans le cinéma tchèque. On ne peut pas continuer à sortir sans cesse des comédies stupides, moyennes ou parfois réussies, des drames sociaux, des biographies ou des crimes à l'infini, sous peine de rester en extrême périphérie dans le cinéma européen. Bod obnovy offre un excellent stimulus à d'autres créateurs qui voudraient s'aventurer dans des genres non traditionnels. Et en plus, le rôle principal a été confié à une actrice totalement inconnue, laquelle s'est très bien débrouillée, interprétant une policière avec excellence - naturellement soliste, elle s'associe assez bien avec les expérimentés Neužil et Hádek. Le seul point négatif que j'ai aussi noté dans d'autres avis et critiques est le scénario. Il m'a semblé surfait et prise de tête, alors qu'au final, toute la résolution était vide et inintéressante. Et c'est la tache au tableau qui ne fera pas de ce film le Minority Report tchèque... (28/09/2023)