A very intersting, albeit sometimes confusing, science fiction film.

This is one of those movies that has you wondering why... Why would anyone bother to make it? Why would anyone be interested in putting a thoroughly uninteresting story on screen? Why did it receive such positive critical review? It was also one of those movies that you just keep watching, minute after excruciating minute, in the desperate hope that something, anything, remotely interesting (or merely comprehensible) will happen. This movie made me feel like I was watching the dramatic version of Revenge of the Nerds. I watched the entire thing without ever once wanting to. Now that's some sweet revenge, but did I deserve it? For the record, I am a technophile, with a pretty good understanding of "geek speak", and I still couldn't get the jist of this train wreck. Another movie made to appeal primarily to the filmakers, and the .00001% of the population who understood whatever the heck it was they were trying to say. In a word, Exasperating. (also, why did they choose to call it Primer? Makes about as little sense as the movie.)… Expand

The best film of 2005. Probably the best sci-fi film of all time. Confusing at times, but that's what re-viewing is for and this movie demands it. Give it time to unfold and let it blow you away.

I had read a lot of film journals and press on this film ever since its premiere at Sundance in March or whenever, and had been highly anticipating it ever since. The reviews certainly did the film justice. This is the most maddening, incomprehensible and brilliant movie since the great year 2001 which gave us Donnie Darko, Memento, and Mulholland Drive. Oh, and this film makes those as easy to understand as a Hilary Duff movie. Usually when people say you have to see a movie twice to "get it", they usually are being facetious. Primer actually DEMANDS a second viewing and even if playing close attention the film deliberitately plays with plot and chronology by using elliptical editing that jumps all over the place and re-plays certain scenes and moments wrapped up in other scenes that are then wrapped up in a different scene, i.e. you get the point. It is hard to tell when certain scenes end and begin and which characters are talking to others and in what time. All this sounds like crap now but those who have seen the film can relate. I can just imagine chat room and message board geeks analyzing and deconstructing every second of this film a la Donnie & Mulholland. Also, a little clue to help you figure out things in the end: Pay very close attention to when phones ring and who is calling...… Expand

The most illogical movie I've ever seen in my life.

As a retired engineer with a lifelong interest in physics and metaphysics this so-called movie really was disappointing. This movie made "Blair Witch" look like an Academy Award winner.

The Blair Witch of science fiction. A celebration of poor professional standards, wrapped in mystifiyng techno-babble and saying very little about anything much. Very disappointing, alhough something about it says it could have been OK-ish. Maybe if the soundtrack wasn't so fuzzy and they had used a tripod now and then? Anyway, I am tired of this "made on a low budget with credit cards" drivel. It was never true. Not in the 1980s, not now.… Expand

Unfortunately it does fail. its all mind bending but not fascinating because there just isn't enough clarity and stability about whats going on. Both the action in almost any given scene and the voice overs are opaque and unresolved. such an (apparently) sophisticated story needs a first rate director and screen writer to be comunicated adequately.

With a limited budget, the cast and crew did a excelent job with what they had to work with. Had they had the extra money...you would be highly impressed. I think David Sullivan carried the movie the way that Shane Caruth wanted it portrayed. Congratulations all who had a hand in making this movie...it kept my interest and it made me pay attention to the detail, and ask questions and make me want to watch it again to answer those questions. … Expand

"Primer" grows increasingly incomprehensible towards the end, so there's really no payoff to the first time we see one of the characters witnessing his double through his binoculars. But still, it's a kick to see a genuine independent film mostly transcend its shoestring budget with smart, albeit colorless dialogue, that doesn't dumb down the genre of science fiction like so many of its predecessors. "Primer" works a filmic primer for people who think science fiction is all about spectacle. It's all about the box. The filmmaker probably didn't have the money to waste film on any filler like romantic subplots and government intervention.… Expand

Wonderfully made... although it is very confusing most of the time. I actually think I need to see it again just to fully grasp the idea of this film.

This movie takes some work on the part of the viewer to appreciate it. Here is one hint: there is more than one Abe and Aaron traveling in time. The movie is a study of the interaction between two nerdy guys who get into a project over their heads, but the story itself is a puzzle that must be figured out. Ingenious! And to all those aspiring critics out there: do not even think about reviewing or critiquing this movie without giving it at least several viewings.… Expand

Made for a mere $7000, PRIMER travels back through time to when science-fiction made the viewer think. By working with the time-travel principle and losing any distracting special effects, the plot is all that matters, and it soon becomes a nearly-indicipherable puzzle. Star/writer/director Shane Carruth has even admitted that he hasn't figured the entire thing out yet. For being short and cheap, PRIMER manages to provide a buffet of food for thought, and in this day and age, that's priceless.… Expand

None of it ever made sense. It was boring. One of the worst movies I have ever seen.

Primer is a brilliant cinematic science fiction thriller! Unfortunately for the non-science enthusiast, the screenplay dialogue is absolutely overrun with swift moving unexplained techno-jargon that may unintentionally frustrate those viewers to the point of disappointment as they find themselves getting more and more lost between plot lines. But for everyone else, this spellbinding sci-fi mystery thriller is a terrific must see film! It is a complete success, and an incredible achievement by both Shane Carruth and David Sullivan.… Expand

Fantastic and demanding. Really enjoyed the visual framing and the very bald acting style/non-style. Even the storytelling, despite the frustrations with audibility and narrative patchiness. Thanks for a film so devoid of sentiment and so full of ideas. Not for everyone, but nor is any film and it's great to see something that credits the audience with a bit of intelligence and a few ideas themselves. I'll be looking for Caruth's next outing - and re-viewing this one while we wait… Expand

A modern-day masterpiece. The further the film progresses, the more fascinating and innovative it becomes. The this is the first feature film Carruth managed to make, lets hope it isn't the last.

One of the strangest viewing experiences i've had; it won't be for everybody!

For the most part I have no idea what happens in this movie. But it is absolutely awesome and I loved it and talked about it for hours and still don't know what happened, and I'll have to see it again. Hot damn. I say, HOT damn! Indeed.

This is not fun movie watching. The characters are pretty one-dimensional, there is no sub-plot, all we are left with is their techo-speak. Sure, it is refreshing to see a movie made for $7,000 and have no distractions that typical sci-fi movies have, such as special effects. But when most of the positive reviews tell me I have to see it multiple times to understand it, then it just isn't worth a high review. I want to cash out on the couch with a good sci-fi movie and I'm not against a plot twist or complex plot. However, this was just plain too much work in order to really enjoy watching this movie.… Expand

What at first appears to be bland dialogue between uninteresting characters begins to very cleverly remind us of the lengths that the film is going to establish a sense of realism. This science fiction film succeeds in its abandonment of cliche and hand-holder storytelling, and yeilds instead a glimpse into the real-world implications of such a mind-bending event. The characters are real and flawed, and the eventual breakdown of clarity as a story device is brilliant.… Expand

I was really impressed with this movie, especially the scene at the beginning with the over-lapping dialogue. I compare this film to La Jetee and asked the director about it. He said many ppl have told him that, but he actually didn't see La Jetee until after he had screened this movie at Sundance. Please remember that the premise of this movie is time travel which is a totally interesting thing, but you have to focus all your energy this movie can be draining. I did find I understood this movie alot more after discussing it with friends, but I'm scared to see it again for fear of getting lost in it.… Expand

A minor miracle of a film, this movie manages to pull off everything a major motion picture should have (great scripting, amazing acting, drama, etc.) with a mere budget of ~$7,000. It's simultaneously captivating, confusing, frustrating, and in the end, completely gratifying - even if you can't put all the pieces together on the first viewing. I already can't wait to watch it again.

(10.0) Awesome. The best Sci-fi serious in this century. How can you make a great movie with great head and a tight budget. Escuchar Waiting eagerly to the new work from me, since I saw this movie, new idol.

Unsensational, clever, quietly scary, confusing sci fi with good acting to boot. I can't believe they made this film for $7000. I really liked the direction too.

Although I feel the movie is rather confusing and unclear at times, overall it was still a pretty decent film. It didn't waste much time to watch and for how little of a budget the film had to spend I can't help but feel impressed by the film. The filmography of the film was great quality, and the acting was as well. Story issues aside, the rest of the film was quite impressive. I don't know if I can really say I would recommend this film to most viewers other than general film enthusiasts of a particular kind. Personally, I'm glad I took the time out of my day to view the film, but I have a feeling most audiences will either be bored, confused, or both. For my full review, visit http://visuallyimpairedreviews.blogspot.com/2012/03/primer.html… Expand