Surrogates (Film Review)

Robert L Sungte, Deccan Herald

English(A)
Cast: Bruce Willis, James Cromwell , Ving Rhames
Director: Jonathan Mostow
This sci-fi film is about the dangerous trend of impersonal relationship ushered in by technology. People don’t interact in normal day-to-day activities anymore. They are brainwashed by companies to use their exact look-alike surrogates to maintain their public life while they sit at home.

However, when surrogate creator Dr Lionel Canter’s (Cromwell) son is murdered, things take a new turn. FBI agent Tom Greer (Willis) and his partner are ordered to probe the case. The two agents also use their ‘surries’ to track down the killer but when Tom’s surry is destroyed, the real ‘him’ is forced to venture out of his home to the streets.
The general theme is a fight against surrogate technology led by ‘The Prophet’ (Rhames) and to free humans from its clutches. Using a graphically greenish set-up, director Jonathan Mostow tries hard to bring forth man’s blind acceptance of machines and its dangers. There are some brilliant action sequences in addition to the artistic impression of the surrogate of Bruce Willis’ look.

However, the film lacks a tight plot and twists become predictable after the first half. There are also many rooms that need a little more attention. For instance, the reason behind Tom’s failing relationship with his wife after the death of their son is sapless.

The motivational message that humans need direct and personal relationship is perhaps the only reason that drives this soulless and shallow take on human dependency on technology.

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Inglorious Basterds

[Source: Deccan Herald]

English (A)
Cast: Brad Pitt, Melanie Laurent, Christoph Waltz, Diana Kruger
Director: Quentin Tarantino

Set in the historic year of 1944 when the Second World War was at its final phase, Tarantino’s ‘Inglorious Basterds’ is a classy take on two plots revolving around the attempt to bring down leaders of the Third Reich.

First a band of Jewish American soldiers, ‘the Basterds,’ led by their valiant leader Aldo Raine (Brad Pitt) carries out surgical strikes against Nazi troops in France. In the meantime, a lady Jew theatre owner (Melanie Laurent), is approached by a German soldier and actor (Daniel Bruhl) to host the premiere of his propaganda film in Paris. The plot then brings ‘the Basterds’, the Jew lady who is seeking her revenge and the German high command including Hitler under the roof of a theatre for the final showdown.

Far from reality, the film takes larger than life twists with its bizarre and bloody scenes. It is natural for many reviewers to get excited at the mention of Tarantino and his film but those people who have branded the film as “simply hilarious” and “brilliantly striking” are just exaggerating about this rather over-indulgent exercise. The class in movie-making remains intact but at the expense of substance.

Pitt is comparatively good as a fearless strike unit team leader. However, standing taller is Christoph Walltz as SS officer Col Hans Landa. Walltz has the look of a jackal under a sheep’s skin.

However, many Tarantino fans will be disappointed for there is not much morality involved. Ardent followers can expect a toned down version of ‘Pulp Fiction’. Over all, the film could either turn into one of the most boring film from Tarantino’s stable or it could be simply awesome for people enjoying his kind-of-movies.

Source: Deccan Herald

UP (3D film review)

English (U)
Cast: Ed Asner, Christopher Plummer, Jordan Nagai
Director: Pete Docter

It’s been a while since we saw ‘U’ rating in recently released animation films. With Pixar’s latest installment ‘Up’ we are introduced to a children-friendly adventure involving a 80-year-old plus Carl Fredricksen (Asner) and a young boy Russell (Nagai).

Carl Fredricksen and his wife Ellie have dreamt of exploring the exotic Paradise Falls in South America since their childhood.

This place has been described by world renowned explorer Charles Muntz (Christopher Plummer) as the most beautiful place on earth.

However, life has other things in store for the couple. Ellie dies but Carl keeps the dream alive and one day, thinking he is alone in the house, attaches hundreds of balloons to the chimney of his house and sets off towards Paradise Falls only to find a young explorer Russell in his flying house.

Seeing Russell’s enthusiasm Carl takes him along and that’s when the adventure begins with the birds and talking dogs besides a villain.

The film’s plot is simple, yet heart-rending with a sense of loneliness permeating after a happy, long-married couple are parted.
But the story also goes to show how a man can once again see the rainbow after the rain.
The character Russell is particularly sweet and funny. Children will love him for his enthusiastic facial expressions and guts.

Most of Pixar’s films bear marks of success, and this time too, the guys have come up with a film that reflects true family values besides reflecting on the comradeship between the old and the young in this superb visual picturisation.

Deccan Herald