Absolutely mind-blowing, and not because the plot is so engaging itself. Carruth spares the vernacular for scientific jargon and feels no remorse, and THAT is what is so intriguing. We don't want to watch it a thrid or fourth time because of the story. We watch it again and again because we want to know what the hell is going on.

Low budget for sure, but they do a great job with it. Creepy, compelling, confusing and paranoiac, a good little movie. Will appeal to fans of Phillip K Dick I imagine. I liked it a lot, the plot I think deliberately confusing and hard to follow, and it works well. That is the nature of time travel I guess, to the rest of us trapped in linear causality type existences.

I would echo Printninja's review, but I'm so frustrated that I actually paid money to rent this movie I feel the need to put that dissatisfaction into my own words. From the minute this festering turd of a film starts, one is subjected to a scene with uninitiated characters spouting overly-complex dialogue that makes zero sense to the layperson. Or maybe the biggest problem was that there was nothing remotely interesting about the story, or any of the characters for that matter, that made me CARE to figure out what they were trying to accomplish. They're computer nerds tinkering in the garage, seemingly trying to come up with some new product to make money. And they accomplish this by constantly, without respite, speaking technical jargon that won't make sense to anyone short of Physics PhDs, experienced Engineers, or Computer Science geniuses. Does that sound like an interesting plot? If so, go for it. But don't say you weren't warned.… Expand

It's for the few. If you're not the type, it's only interesting as an experiment. If you can follow the film's logic and most of the plot, it's a succesful experiment. Gets special points for making something so intricate and special out of such simple props.

A truly breathtaking science fiction film, Primer manages to avoid one of the major pitfalls when attempting to make a compelling science fiction film, and does so with some considerable swagger. Where so many of its forebears have been reluctant to challenge its audiences with scientific jargon, Primer refuses to compromise itself by 'dumbing down' its content. The film tells the story of two friends who, whilst working from Aaron's (Shane Corruth) garage of a night building and selling JTAG cards, stumble across a technology that appears to move substances through time. It's true, for those without any particular scientific aptitude, this content becomes relatively complex and hard to follow. Nevertheless, this films delves deeper than this, posing many questions concerning the responsibilities that come with possessing unlimited power. However, if you are thinking the entanglement ends there, Primer has another ace up it's sleeve. With a plot that meanders more than a knotted snake, a repeat viewing becomes essential if you really intend to grasp the storyline in its fullness. A film in this mold is always likely to draw criticism due to its heavy plot lines and, at times, bewildering scientific concepts. Yet it is precisely here, in my opinion, that Primer acquires most of its gold stars. Intellectually stimulating and wonderful in its construction, Primer is science fiction in its purest form.… Collapse

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

interesting, at some points confusing, time-travel film. The acting wasn't great but they did the job and the premise of the film really did give it some sci-fi charm.

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.

(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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

"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

About a year ago I saw 20 minutes of this film online and wanted desperately to see it and then I completely forgot about it until I saw it sitting on the rack at Hollywood Video and again I was very excited to watch it. I've realized something: I really like Independent FIlms. Primer is a great science fiction movie in the truest sense of sci-fi being fiction based upon actual science. Anyone panning this movie just doesn't get it. I will grant you that the techno-babble in this flick is way over the top and more confusing than the dialogue of an episode of 'Deadwood' or the thick brogue in 'Trainspotting' but if you give it time it will come together and your mind will filter out what it needs to. I'm personally going to watch this at least 3 more times, once without commentaries and twice with just so I can try to piece this whole movie together. This film can be very confusing (including the twists) but it is creepy, incredibly exciting, realistic and like all good sci-fi has a strong moral message in the end. I would have given this film a 10 if i didn't think it was kind of overloaded with the technical jargon.… Expand

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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.