One of several interesting but not entirely successful features and television series that attempted to mine virtual reality for its conceptual backdrop in the 1990s, this sci-fi thriller is the third in a series of interesting near-misses from director Brett Leonard. Notable mostly for its early appearance by future superstar Russell Crowe, superb as the slick cyber-villain, the film starts off remarkably strong and intriguing. Unfortunately, the plot quickly proceeds to devolve into a been-there, done-that game of cat and mouse that plays remarkably flat given the fun premise and offbeat casting (which includes the always-likable and authentic Denzel Washington in full-on vengeful cop protagonist mode and Louise Fletcher as a futuristic crime czar). Repetitive and surprisingly unimaginative once it gets going, Virtuosity (1995) is by no means an out-and-out flop, but given its positively charged, instantly appealing pitch, it could have and should have been a whole lot better.