I think Bruce Willis is probably the best all-around film star that has survived nearly three decades without a dud. And with Surrogates it’s a near miss. Just eking above average, the film survives with some awesome special effects and Willis’ creative performance. If you like science fiction that goes hyper realistic, then Surrogates should be on your DVD short list.
The story goes something like this: People are living their lives remotely from the safety of their own homes via robotic surrogates -- sexy, physically perfect mechanical representations of themselves. It's an ideal world where crime, pain, fear and consequences don't exist. When the first murder jolts this utopia, FBI agent Greer (Willis) discovers a vast conspiracy behind the surrogate phenomenon and must abandon his own surrogate and enter the robotic realm, risking his life to unravel the mystery.
In this world of surrogates, hardly a crime has been committed because those controlling their alter lives are free to lie down on a special bed and just visualize what they want their surrogate to do. Similar to I Robot, the film depicts millions of robots working, playing, and controlling the police and government in this pristine society. The reality of it all however, goes way beyond anything that’s desirable, and that’s where the film goes off kilter and drags a bit until the interesting finale.Â
I like Bruce Willis’ acting, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen a movie where, as the main star, he had a bad performance, and in Surrogates he continued the streak for me. Making his character tough and relentless, and his surrogate vigilant and manipulative, Willis dominates the screen. However, with robots, it’s hard to feel anything for them, so you loose any empathy for the heroes. It’s like watching radio controlled cars, airplanes and action figures on a huge screen. The only emotion comes from side stories that affect the manipulators of the surrogates, and there aren’t enough scenes to make the film a very good movie.
The special effects and make up involving the surrogates is quite special. It was fun watching a young Bruce Willis with a head of blonde hair. Wow -- right out of Photoshop to the big screen. And how much can you do to make Radha Mitchell and Rosamund Pike more gorgeous than they already are? Oh, you make their non-surrogate bodies more ordinary and that was a great make-up accomplishment as well.
There are a couple of bonus features on the disc, and I recommend you check out the music video "I Will Not Bow", by Breaking Benjamin.
The film is rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence, disturbing images, language, sexuality and a drug-related scene, so if you feel your children should not see the movie send them to bed.
FINAL ANALYSIS: It’s a slightly above average film on DVD. Bruce Willis’ performance is worth watching.
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