A cross between the Stepford Wives and Minority Report, Surrogates presents a world where humans sit at home during the day and use robot surrogates (yep... there it is!) to go about their daily lives. It seems that everything is working fine, until two surrogates are killed, their "operators" suffering the same fate in their homes.
When faced with the first murders in who knows how long, what are you going to do? Well if you're the Chief of Police and you have Bruce Willis on your force... you're going to send him to investigate aren't you?! He really does have a proven track record for by-the-book, run-of-the-mill, professional investigations. And he gets results!
What follows is a conspiracy theory which never really ramps up into something worth considering. Similarly themed, Enemy of the State had twists, turns and political intrigue as well as posing some questions about technology and what we really know about it's usage. Surrogates on the other hand provides one red herring and a handful of plot flaws poorly cobbled together, and seems to be a soap-box for someones mild paranoia about societies "disconnect" from reality.
I can only imagine this petrified leftie to be the one or all of the writers who must, I'm sure, spend a lot of time looking over their shoulders while they use a large electro-magnet to clear their computer of any historic data.
One day I too hope to be a cranky old man who complains about the youth of today and frets for the fate of mankind. I'll probably do it differently though; I'll pull on my beige corduroy pants and yell "take out those headphones you damned junkies." And "stop twitterfacing," while puncturing the footballs of neighbourhood children with the sword I'll hide in my cane. It just seems simpler than going to all the effort to make a film out of it. I may also wear a tinfoil hat.
It's not that Surrogates is the worst film ever made, it's just not as entertaining as you'd like it to be. A disappointing way to spend 88 minutes and $15.50. (you know... plus $25 on popcorn and candy!)
__________
2 Stars
It's not that Surrogates is the worst film ever made, it's just not as entertaining as you'd like it to be. A disappointing way to spend 88 minutes and $15.50. (you know... plus $25 on popcorn and candy!)
__________
2 Stars
Sounds exactly how I thought it would be.
ReplyDeleteThis is the first review I have read of yours (about bloody time eh? lol) and I liked it, nice one mate.
thanks. Helpful. Def not one to waste a babysitter + "date night" on but might catch a look when it gets to Sky.
ReplyDeleteHah! I strongly suspected it would suck. Give the graphic novel a crack though.
ReplyDelete