Media: Movie
Genre: Action/Sci-Fi/Thriller
Production Year: 2009
Synopsis:
In the near future, VSI, a technology company has invented life-like robots, fully customizable and controllable by it's human counterpart. Human to human contact is almost unthinkable, with exception to remote "robot-hating" human clans scattered across the world, forced into seclusion. With crime and racial tensions nearly exterminated, the human clans appear outnumbered. Until a series of homicides start popping up...bringing FBI agent Tom Greer (Bruce Willis) out into the real world, away from the safety of his surrogate, for the first time in many years.
Overall Average Rating: 7.50
Very interesting and thought provoking. I continuously found myself contemplating the prospective reality brought forth in "Surrogates". I mean, think about it. If you were to tell someone from even the early 1900's about the technology we would have readily at our fingertips today, they may very easily think you were crazy, out of your mind. The graphics/CGI were very well done and blended in seamlessly. I enjoyed this film but am glad that I waited for it on Netflix.
Writing: 8
Intelligent and unique portrayal of the future of mankind. The story alone I found very intriguing. The whole concept of humans retreating to the shelter and safety of their homes, hiding behind their ideal image personified within their surrogates kept me pondering the posible reality we may encounter. I know, I know...this may seem far-fetched for some of you reading this, but to think about how much technology has advanced in just the past 20 years is remarkable. I couldn't help myself from thinking about the what-ifs. How crazy would someone from the 1940's think you were if you revealed the common technology available to the everyday person of today? Also encompassing a few twists and turns that may throw you for a loop, there is strong sense of rediscovering human needs and desires that have been deeply suppressed within the surrogate lifestyle.
Acting: 7
You're not going to find any remarkable performances here, but with that said, the acting was completely sufficient for the film. I thought it was a typical role/performance from Bruce Willis and Ving Rhames as The Prophet was just ok. It was no where near the two's teaming in "Pulp Fiction" (one of my all-time favorites), but I don't think anyone else cast in their place would have made the movie any better.
Directing: 8
I found it refreshing how Jonathon Mostow interpreted the screenplay and brought it to the big screen. By taking the futuristic concepts and technology portrayed in this film and not making the entire setting overstylized and advanced made the story much more believable. I'm really glad it wasn't another take on "The Fifth Element" with flying cars and out of this world wardrobes.
Photography/Special Effects: 9
The special effects and CGI was the glue that really held everything together. Touchstone Pictures definitely produced in the effects category. This is most effectively displayed when the surrogates encountered any bodily destruction; having their skin ripped off, revealing their metal skeleton with green liquid oozing from their insides.
Soundtrack/Sound Effects: 7
With no note worthy soundtrack, the sound effects were well done. Like I stated before, by not overdoing elements that many sci-fi films tend to engage in, it made for a much more enjoyable experience.
Choreography (fighting/dancing): 6
Although this was an action/thriller, there weren't many hand to hand fight scenes. Due to that, this is a hard section to rate.
Genre: Action/Sci-Fi/Thriller
Production Year: 2009
Synopsis:
In the near future, VSI, a technology company has invented life-like robots, fully customizable and controllable by it's human counterpart. Human to human contact is almost unthinkable, with exception to remote "robot-hating" human clans scattered across the world, forced into seclusion. With crime and racial tensions nearly exterminated, the human clans appear outnumbered. Until a series of homicides start popping up...bringing FBI agent Tom Greer (Bruce Willis) out into the real world, away from the safety of his surrogate, for the first time in many years.
Overall Average Rating: 7.50
Very interesting and thought provoking. I continuously found myself contemplating the prospective reality brought forth in "Surrogates". I mean, think about it. If you were to tell someone from even the early 1900's about the technology we would have readily at our fingertips today, they may very easily think you were crazy, out of your mind. The graphics/CGI were very well done and blended in seamlessly. I enjoyed this film but am glad that I waited for it on Netflix.
Writing: 8
Intelligent and unique portrayal of the future of mankind. The story alone I found very intriguing. The whole concept of humans retreating to the shelter and safety of their homes, hiding behind their ideal image personified within their surrogates kept me pondering the posible reality we may encounter. I know, I know...this may seem far-fetched for some of you reading this, but to think about how much technology has advanced in just the past 20 years is remarkable. I couldn't help myself from thinking about the what-ifs. How crazy would someone from the 1940's think you were if you revealed the common technology available to the everyday person of today? Also encompassing a few twists and turns that may throw you for a loop, there is strong sense of rediscovering human needs and desires that have been deeply suppressed within the surrogate lifestyle.
Acting: 7
You're not going to find any remarkable performances here, but with that said, the acting was completely sufficient for the film. I thought it was a typical role/performance from Bruce Willis and Ving Rhames as The Prophet was just ok. It was no where near the two's teaming in "Pulp Fiction" (one of my all-time favorites), but I don't think anyone else cast in their place would have made the movie any better.
Directing: 8
I found it refreshing how Jonathon Mostow interpreted the screenplay and brought it to the big screen. By taking the futuristic concepts and technology portrayed in this film and not making the entire setting overstylized and advanced made the story much more believable. I'm really glad it wasn't another take on "The Fifth Element" with flying cars and out of this world wardrobes.
Photography/Special Effects: 9
The special effects and CGI was the glue that really held everything together. Touchstone Pictures definitely produced in the effects category. This is most effectively displayed when the surrogates encountered any bodily destruction; having their skin ripped off, revealing their metal skeleton with green liquid oozing from their insides.
Soundtrack/Sound Effects: 7
With no note worthy soundtrack, the sound effects were well done. Like I stated before, by not overdoing elements that many sci-fi films tend to engage in, it made for a much more enjoyable experience.
Choreography (fighting/dancing): 6
Although this was an action/thriller, there weren't many hand to hand fight scenes. Due to that, this is a hard section to rate.
