I watched several Tarkovsky films years ago and to be honest they baffled me. Only Solaris left any impression, but with the restored Stalker being released, I thought it was time to revisit. So 15 years on... I'm still baffled slightly, but enjoyed this a whole lot more. It's science fiction unlike any other film of that genre. With no special effects, what's put on screen is merely a suggestion for the viewer to build on, yet visually it's stunning. It is slow, much like a lot of Tarkovskys work and requires patience, but it's mystical and mysterious with soundscapes that remind me of Ozrics tracks, before the beat kicks in. The beat is unneeded here, the understated world of The Zone works because of its natural simplicity. This extends too to the three main characters venturing through this masterpiece, a film made to be pondered, dissected and puzzled over.
8/10
