Restore Point

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. (21/09/2023)

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)

The very first shot with Zimmer-esque music is stunning, taking into account that this is a Czech film. The monumental exterior sets with great design, including the cars, holograms and digital images, are world-class in Restore Point. With respect to the plot, it wouldn’t matter that it is merely a crime movie in a sci-fi setting. So was Minority Report. The film’s handicap lies in the attempt to keep the viewer in constant suspense by incessantly and often needlessly conveying the plot through dialogue, dialogue and more dialogue. Without being drawn into the story in an original and more impactful way, I was unwilling (and, at a night-time festival screening after a full day, unable) to take it all in. Next time, the filmmakers should come up with a more original subject, cut down on the chatter and balance the slower passages with getting to know the characters, and the result will be great. Like a movie franchise with the same female detective. She is well cast, easy on the eyes and her character is well suited to further development. [Karlovy Vary International Film Festival] (06/07/2023)

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)