4/5 Convoluted fun
  by One-Line Film Reviews (Easton, MD)
The Bottom Line:

Cypher's machinations may not all hold water by the end of the film, but you're unlikely to care because this twisty little sci-fi thriller about corporate espionage is completely enthralling even when many of its scenes stretch one's suspension of disbelief; if you like mind-benders then you'd do well to check this one out.

3/4

5/5 This movie divides by zero
  by AwesomeSauce (Mt Airy, NC)
I put this movie on my blockbuster online queue and then waited a year for it to arrive, but it was well worth the wait. This is definitely one of the most compelling, "suck-you-in" scifi/thrillers I've ever seen (and trust me I've seen a few).
The story is fairly original with exception to archetypes (nerdy guys, big bad corporations, etc). It definitely keeps bending and twisting all throughout and lays the suspense on thick.
The acting is good, especially from Northam who was basically a no name until this movie; Lucy Liu is Lucy Liu. Good Directing from the "Cube" guy (which you should see if in the mood for a Canadian low-budget psycho-horror) ,Great Editing, Interesting Soundtrack.
Still, obviously movies aren't right for everyone. I would recommend renting this flick if you can get your hands on it unless you are into this genre, but if you have a dad, uncle, brother who you know is into scifi-thrills definitely buy this for them.

4/5 Pawns R Us.
  by Victoria J. Knoll (Where I hang my hat.)
Morgan Sullivan is a computer geek hired by a secretive organization, Digicorp, to ferret out the secrets of their competitor, Sunways Systems.

In order to be convincing, and pass all the tests that Sunways employs, Morgan Sullivan is transformed into a cypher, a man who is and can be anything he wants to be. A man who can slip through any man-made security protocols imaginable. His new name: Jack Thursby. His identity, a freelancing businessman who attends banal conventions in order to spy upon Digicorp's many competitors, specifically, Sunways. But that's not the only thing that's different. With neural brainwashing as an aid, he literally becomes a different man.

Before he's swallowed too deeply into a confusing rabbit hole, he is pulled out with the aid of a mysterious woman, Rita, a freelance agent herself who works for an equally mysterious man, Sebastian Rooks. With Rita's help, Morgan/Jack is able to shuck off all the brainwashing, even as his world is tossed upside down. The old life, he finds out, is no longer waiting for him but is as dismantled and frighteningly distant from his former self and life than he could ever have realized. But that's only the beginning. What he thought was a gig as a secret agent for Digicorp, is nothing more than a way for the corporation to maintain their secrets why insuring complete control and the inability for the other side to gain access.

Morgan, free of the mindwash and the drugs and now himself (or so he believes), is still not free. Despite his mistrust of both parties and the obvious ploy of his as nothing more than a piece of meat hanging on a hook, he is recruited as a double agent by Sunways. And finds out the hard way that the whole plot, from beginning to end, was a ruse. And the whole purpose? To find an aware spy produced and made by Digicorp--Morgan--that can even fool his makers, to be eventually recruited by Sunways to infiltrate Digicorp.

As he does what he told, not finding any way out other than to do and see what will happen, Morgan is beginning to realize, perhaps too late, that he is but a pawn, and everyone else around him, obstacles in a mind-numbing maze of who to trust and who not to believe. And in the end, to save himself and screw everybody else.

If the solid acting by Northam doesn't entice you (which was pretty stellar from geeky dull Morgan to suave fluid Jack and then to paranoid Morgan/Jack), the visual seduction by Vincenzo Natali might just woe you enough. With a seamless blend of classic film noir, modern sci-fi elements while maintaining a familiar tangible environment, Cypher is nothing but surprises and big wide open, whodunnit and what the hell is going on?

Who are these two corporations? What do they have worth stealing? Who knows, and though you might not care too much, some may have wished for some more info in that area. You won't get it, so just let it go. Because if you think too hard on it, the plot tends to weaken since the whole point for Morgan to infiltrate and steal information. Also, the ending begs the questions of what was so important, what was that information worth, to go that far? You won't find out, so just enjoy it as a simplistic representation of a man on a mission (even if the truth is illusive). While not entirely original and somewhat of an easy wrap-up, it might surprise a few, and somewhat disappoint others. With an equally seductive soundtrack, it sets the mood and the right tone from beginning to end.

Natali combines with little difficultly and ease, several visual elements from other films. It's got bits of Cube (another brilliant Natali creation), The 13th Floor, Gattaca, Sin City, Equilibrium, Dark City, Existenz, among others which you'll recognize, all stylized as one cohesive visual tapestry and somehow, maintaining its own identity.

Lucy Liu as the X-factor and enigmatic Rita Foster is the weakest link, though her role (and sadly, her acting) made less cheesy by the end, and vastly pales in comparison to Northan performance, even Nigel Bennett as the creepy representative of Digicorp is more memorable. But you won't mind because the character plot is complex (though the actual plot tends to be less so), the overall feel is chilling, and the surreal use of color, lighting and textures which further added to the suspense.

Take a headtrip, and see where it'll lead you. It might just make you wonder, and smile.

4/5 "If You Want Answers, Take the Shot!"
  by AMP (Somewhere on Earth)
The Good Things
*A few neat special effects that are used quite effectively.
*Excellent filming style. Very solid, fluid, and slick.
*Very nifty production design. Lots of interesting sets, costumes, and props. Some of it (like seeing the blocks and blocks of houses that are all perfectly alike) makes you think.
*Interesting use of textures and monochrome colors.
*Good writing.
*Fascinating story.
*Good acting. It's very interesting to see how most people act robotically in this world. The main character acts robotically at first too, but transforms magnificently. Lucy Lui makes for a good, tough, enigmatic character. All these characters are fascinating.
*Good slick music.

The Bad Things
*Not really an action movie; no major fights, chases, or anything (except maybe for a few brief scenes at the end). Like "Gattaca," it's purely a sci-fi drama. Some may find this dull.

This film is surprisingly slick and intelligent; easily comparable to other great sci-fi titles like "Gattaca," "Dark City," or even "The Matrix." For that matter, it may also be comparable to most intelligent sci-fi books, like William Gibson's "Neuromancer." It may not have any major action scenes, but it manages to be thrilling and interesting through its style, writing, acting, and production design. Altogether, it's something sophisticated and intelligent that will leave you thinking.

The DVD has excellent video and sound quality. It is in widescreen, but has no special features other than trailers.

If this reivew has not been helpful, please comment so I can improve on future reviews.

5/5 One of the best movies you never heard of...
  by J. ROSS (PA)
This is a great movie. Drama & science fiction in one movie. Must admit that I love Lucy Liu, but this is at least a must rent for anyone who likes movies with twists...