Some things I liked some I did not.

Watch something else. There are very few redeeming qualities to this film.

Just intense enough to provide a much-needed diversion, just lightweight enough to make you forget about it soon after it’s over. It’s not exactly “good,” per se, but it does what it sets out to do in terms of putting us on edge, which makes it … successful?

It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.

This film is often incredibly creative, with several highly eye-catching sequences. It explores questions that some other films are scared to even mention, all while working its way towards the final conclusion in the last scene before the credits.However, large sections of this film are dull. A lot of it looks visually flat. When combined with conversations that seem to lack any energy, from either the actors or the script itself, it makes the film feel like it's dragging. There aren't any memorable lines of dialogue, it's only really there to move the plot along in most places. This is a film about hallocinations and the mysterious, not about its characters.Overall, I enjoyed it for the impressive dream sequences, however it was let down by several of the scenes in between. 7/10

"Altered States" goes off the rails in the second half, but for a while there it really felt like it was building toward something good. It plies its trade on the senses as William Hurt's mad scientist takes to the isolation tank (on Mexican shrooms, no less) and the line between real and surreality continues to blur (cue the psychedelic effects). Trying to use mind-expansion to unlock other states of consciousness is where this movie peaks. But then Hurt actually regresses into a caveman and realizes his fall from banging Blair Brown to grunting and snacking on goats. What you hear right there is the sound of a trainwreck. I imagine this twas pretty potent back in 1980 - and a substantial portion of it still is.But it's half of a good movie.5/10

Stubborn and determined research scientist Eddie Jessup (a fine and credible performance by William Hurt in his film debut) subjects himself to sensory deprivation and takes hallucinogenic drugs in order to explore alternate states of consciousness and discover the basic primordial roots of human evolution. However, Jessup finds himself teetering on the brink of madness after he regresses to a dangerous primitive state. Although director Ken Russell brings his trademark wild'n'trippy sensibility and flair for bold and alarming mind-roasting imagery to Paddy Chayefsky's smart and provocative script, he fortunately manages for the most part to keep his more self-indulgent impulses under control and grounds the fantastic premise in a plausible everyday reality. Moreover, the story not only acquires extra substance and resonance from its key themes about science, religion, the meaning of life, and the origins of man, but also has a surprising additional poignancy thanks to the touching central love story between Eddie and his concerned wife Emily (a winningly sharp and spunky portrayal by Blair Brown). The ace acting by the superior cast keeps this picture on track: Hurt and Brown do sterling work in the leads, with sturdy support from Bob Balaban as bookish and loyal colleague Arthur Rosenberg, Charles Haid as the huffy and disapproving Mason Parrish, and Miguel Godreau as a crazed caveman. Jordan Cronenweth's striking cinematography offers a wealth of breathtaking outré visuals. Kudos are also in order for Dick Smith's remarkable make-up, the dazzling special effects, and John Corigliano's moody'n'melodic score. A truly unique and fascinating film.

First when I heard the title I though this was another b movie trying to treat another cheesy sci-fi story, but I was wrong. The idea is not that original or mind-blowing but it has it's own rights to stand for: the depths and the complexity of the human mind, technology evolving and a more realistic effect on hallucination and transformation. The effects are OK, it has that Lovecraft feel,suspense and decent scary scenes. The hallucination in the Indian village and the monkey state are well made, but Eddies Jessup's transformations it isn't shown completely, so I'll give that a minus. Actors are doing a decent job, specially William Hurt and Charles Haid with his attitude and all.