Surrogates (2009)
Set in a futuristic world where humans live in isolation and interact through surrogate robots, a cop (Willis) is forced to leave his home for the first time in years in order to investigate the murders of others' surrogates.
Do you ever wish that you could just stay in bed all day, watch T.V., and not go to school while someone (or something) that looks like you really is? Well that's what the new Bruce Willis action-packed popcorn flick is about.
The film is set in a futuristic world where humans live in isolation and interact with surrogate robots. A cop (Willis) is forced to leave his home for the first time in years in order to investigate the murders of other's surrogates.
Only Bruce Willis could look young by having the hair cut that he does in this movie. That's one of the elements that makes "Surrogates" interesting. Some might say that the film spends too much time frolicking in the fields of make-up and special-effects, but here, I think these elements certainly make the story more engaging because they actually fit with the plot and aren't there just to look good. The sub-plot may be a bit conventional but the overall turnout of the production was enjoyable with a nice performance by Willis.
One ingredient of the movie that did bother me though was the beginning. Once I compared the second half to the first, I realized there was so much time wasted up to 35 minutes into the film. In some movies, especially this one, it's better to get straight to the point rather than spending so much time on the back story. It seems that most directors think this makes their films more wise and more smart. Hopefully, most people will enjoy the production because the second half is an action packed thrill ride. I know I did.
Sorry for posting this review a little late. The film might not being in theaters much longer. But if you do get a chance to notice that this is playing or see the DVD on the shelf then i mildly recommend "Surrogates" to all you Bruce Willis fans out there.
At The Movies
Surrogates (PG) * * * *
Programmed!
By ROBERT WALDMAN
Keep them guessing is the mark of a good thriller. Tough guy Bruce Willis reverts to old form and a new hairdo in Surrogates, a superior science fiction adventure. Director Jonathan Mostow (Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines) makes up for past misfires as he helms Touchtone Picture’s Surrogates, a wildly flamobouyant yarn now rising up at Oakridge Cinemas, Empire Esplanade 6, Empire Studio 12, Colossus and Famous Players Silver City cites around B.C.
Pay attention to the early timeline here as it sets the stage for a future society where surrogates are the common man’s toy. Robots or androids or whatever you call them are a mainstay of family homes and one company has patented the secret to their success. When some mysterious deaths occur F.B.I. agent Peters is dispatched to solve the routine homicide.
One death here, another there sets off a chain of events that keeps everyone guessing as to what really is going on. Willis is terrific as both the surrogate and the programmer in this tale whose science fiction bent seems more like science fact. Technology can do good and it can do harm and with Surrogates we see both sides played up to the hilt.
Atmosphere means everything in these futuristic tales and Surrogates’s mood reminds me of the darkness of Willis’ earlier science fiction outing, the classic The Fifth Element. Aided and abetted by two female co-stars both Rasha Mitchell (Phone Booth) and Rosamund Pike (Die Another Day) also stand out. Very good actors grace this piece including Babe’s own James Cromwell and Vingh Rhames.
Undercurrents of turmoil also surface in this 88 minute film with different elements of the population at odds with each other. It’s the haves versus the have nots all over again and this time you do sense that sense of desperation and fear. Things move at a breakneck speed but with time to digest the meaning of the state of the union and those powerbrokers at the ready to feather their own nests and the public be damned.
Like all Bruce Willis movies of any value you can expect and receive plenty of car chases and over the top action. Hey, but that’s why the masses love this guy. Only this time the story is sound, the science fiction/futuristic element plausible, and that old standby of good versus evil ever present. Bottom line on Surrogates is that’s classy fun with some camp but sure to get your adrenalin level going upward.
Read more reviews by Robert at www.moviereviewssite.com
