Surrogates (2009)

Another sci-fi, futuristic/thriller type movie that really does not hit the mark. It barely even passes GO so that it can collect $200. Just did not quite get into this film. Surrogates is a 2009 science fiction film, based on the 2005–2006 comic book series of the same name.

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 in years jolts this utopia, FBI agent Greer (Willis) discovers a vast conspiracy behind the surrogate phenomenon and must abandon his own surrogate, risking his life to unravel the mystery. (Touchstone Pictures)

The storyline of this movie falls somewhere around the categories where movies like Blade Runner, Minority Report, and I-Robot belong. On the same lines as the others it talks about how future technologies can affect human life and provide some philosophical point-of-view that is worth pondering on. The idea of technology progressing into and reaching the boundaries that it becomes an abomination of nature. The movie tends to be thought provoking, but does not make it good enough to be worth an entire evening of discussion.

I must admit that the film has a very fast pace but then there comes a point of action when there is very little digression. Within the title crawl you already what surrogates are, what their purpose is and the history of the surrogates. And then on the other hand if the film could have slowed down a bit and discuss more of the mentality behind the process, the audience may have been able to grasp the total package.

Surrogates is the type of film that reminds me of other past films such as The Happening, I Am Legend, and I-Robot. Now the difference between this one and the others is that there really is no "wow factor". You basically are watching it and being slightly entertained. One might say that the film was rushed and over-edited.

All in all, Surrogates is one of those good sci-fi movies that will simply entertain those who are fans of smart sci-fi movies. Action junkies may be a little disappointed though.

Grade: C-