Found it really hard to get through this one and not only because it is meandering and vague. I know it’s supposed to be funny and satirical, but to me it just seemed a lot of obscure, dated scenes alternating with pretentious “poetry.”
The “hero” was so unlikeable I was actually kind of rooting for his death.
The swimming pool executions and the movie theater electrocution scenes were definitely memorable and unique.
I also liked the line about how no one ever lived in the past and no one can live in the future.
But that’s about it. I can appreciate what Godard was trying to do. I even like this in theory, but on viewing, it just bored me to no end.
And the scene in the car at the end…Erg.
A lot of other films probably owe a debt to this film, but as an introduction to Godard, I think I chose unwisely.

Godard takes on the science fiction genre and mixes it with film noir decades before Blade Runner, but being Godard, he does it with a sense of humour and virtuoso shooting. Every now and then I would be amazed at the length of shots and the elaborate framing and movement. It’s a science fiction film that makes fun of the genre by throwing in nonsense names and using existing technology and locations in an sf context. In an odd and ironic way it seems more prescient than films that put a lot more effort into creating elaborate sets and props. At the core the plot is about a detective who is trying to destroy a fascist computer that controls Alphaville. It kind of slows down near the end of the film, but it’s definitely worth watching as part of Godard’s work and development.

Couldn’t finish watching it. Found it dull. Sorry!

I didn’t see the Criterion version, just a VHS version. Godard is a genius. The computer has an unimaginably creepy voice. Great example of French New Wave Noir.