Which came first in terms of production: The Matrix or The Thirteenth Floor? It doesn’t matter, because you, like every person in the civilized world, saw The Matrix. This story is a more conventional, less pretentious eXistenZ meets traditional noir. I think that the main problem is miscasting. I can’t speak for everyone, but sexy times with Armin Mueller-Stahl is something that I never want to see, and I think that this is the second time I’ve seen it (thankfully I have suppressed the memory of the first time). Craig Bierko is the star. Remember when he was amazing in that movie–yeah, no has ever said that. He is strictly supporting cast and didn’t have the range. The only bright light is Vincent D’Onofrio, who IS a supporting character. Also I have an instinctive dislike of romanticizing the 30s when we have so many amazing movies from that era to compare the simulation to–our imagination is generally going to pale in comparison. A passable movie that holds together, but nothing that you can’t live without.