my profile | my password | search | faq & rules | forum home

» Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE   » Community   » Film Handlers' Movie Reviews   » SURROGATES (2009)

Author Topic: SURROGATES (2009) Frank Angel Film God Posts: 5305 From: Brooklyn NY USA Registered: Dec 1999 posted 09-27-2009 12:03 PM                        CINEMA: Regal's Movies at Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn NY AUDITORIUM: 2 PRESENTATION: Film, SRD PRESENTATION QUALITY: Unremarkable MPAA - PG-13 RATING: 2/5 Uh oh, the machines are robbing us of our humanity....again! What a concept. Rage against the machines. The world is now occupied by robots that are activated by humans who sit in comfortable chairs, isolated and experiencing all manner of stuff vicariously thru their surrogates but without the danger of real life. This robots taking over the world thing has been done so much it's a cliche. Given the issue of even today people spend half their wakeing lives texting and Twittering and on FaceBook, MyPage, communication to friends in half sentences on 3in LDC screens, the provocative theme of isolation by virtue of technology could have been very interestingly explored, but this thing decends into a mediocre who-done-it and action chases -- none of which is particularly exciting or compelling. And no one explains why these experiences can't be done in a virtual reality and why they need these robot automitons to accomplish what should be all in the mind. But allowing that major concept flaw, this thing still sucks. First of all, given the fact that thru the surrogates, individuals can do ANYTHING the mind can conceive, I was expecting to see some really wild and crazy stuff (if you know what I mean). But they kept this quite PG -- a major disappointment. I mean, if the idea of the surrogates is that people were no longer restricted and could do whatever they could "think," then the really interesting questions of what is moral or immoral were never broached. So basically you wind up with a good guy vs. bad guys mystery where the bad guys are mostly robots gone evil, and Bruce Willis is walking thru his lines in a role that fits him like a glove and just about as dull. I found it boring and with special effects that we have all seen done, over and over again al la TERMINATOR(s), I ROBOT, ARTIFICIAL INTELLEGENCE, etc. The outcome was painfully predictable, the "suspense" was, well, actually, there wasn't any. How many times can you see a countdown clock while someone frantically tries to disarm the bomb (in this case a virus)? BORING, especially since you have figured out how this is going to end by the 4th reel. Good idea with a very unsatisfying follow-through.  |  IP: Logged Karl Borowski Expert Film Handler Posts: 161 From: Sulking in GameFAQ Forum Registered: Sep 2009 posted 09-27-2009 01:35 PM                     How was the cinematography? Were all of the cool shots in the trailer? I agree that it is disappointing that films with such good premises seemed to be explored on very shallow levels. As good writing is probably far cheaper than 10-camera coverage of an intricate car chase or stunts or pyrotechnics, you would think that story-telling, the most important part of the movie would be covered on a good premise like this. Assuming that you can see it for free, is it worth seeing?  |  IP: Logged Frank Angel Film God Posts: 5305 From: Brooklyn NY USA Registered: Dec 1999 posted 09-27-2009 04:03 PM                        Scope cinematography was decent some very interesting compostion and choreography in the chases with CG shots that gave a good sence of spacious movement, but like you say, the greatest cinematograph and technical quality can hold your interest for short spurts and even then just marginally, at least for people over 13 yrs old. I kept longing for something to sink my teeth into story-wise. I don't know how to answer your question about being worth it because I love movies so I can find stuff entertaining in even mediocre films. Let's put it this way, I was entertained for the two hours and I paid an admission yet I didn't leave looking for a manager to give the finger to. That's the best I can say for it.  |  IP: Logged Mike Blakesley Film God Posts: 12767 From: Forsyth, Montana Registered: Jun 99 posted 09-27-2009 06:46 PM                        quote: The world is now occupied by robots that are activated by humans who sit in comfortable chairs, So they stole the WALL-E scenario.  |  IP: Logged Frank Angel Film God Posts: 5305 From: Brooklyn NY USA Registered: Dec 1999 posted 09-28-2009 12:43 PM                        Mike, they stole EVERYTHING! Half the time I thought I was watching a cross between TERMINATOR, I ROBOT, and DIE HARD.  |  IP: Logged Karl Borowski Expert Film Handler Posts: 161 From: Sulking in GameFAQ Forum Registered: Sep 2009 posted 09-28-2009 12:51 PM                     Well, they had to make a role "worthy of Bruce Willis"  |  IP: Logged Joe Elliott Master Film Handler Posts: 497 From: Port Orange, Fl USA Registered: Oct 2006 posted 09-28-2009 04:54 PM                     "I didn't leave looking for a manager to give the finger to." I like that analogy. So, it's better than most of the movies that have come out this fall. Still doesn't say much for the movie, but it sounds like you found it at least watchable. I've found most of the movies we've been getting lately are not even worth watching even when you are getting to watch them for free.  |  IP: Logged Geoff Jones Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 579 From: Broomfield, CO, USA Registered: Feb 2006 posted 09-28-2009 07:23 PM                        quote: Joe Elliott I've found most of the movies we've been getting lately are not even worth watching even when you are getting to watch them for free. I agree. Fortunately, two very good movies are opening on Friday!  |  IP: Logged Karl Borowski Expert Film Handler Posts: 161 From: Sulking in GameFAQ Forum Registered: Sep 2009 posted 09-30-2009 08:16 AM                     It seems, Geoff, as if the lull between the summer blockbusters and the fall movies is also fed "crap movies" similar to the ones put out shortly after the beginning of a calendar year. This is probably due to the drop in attendance with kiddies going back to school and being so busy with this to the preclusion of all else.  |  IP: Logged Geoff Jones Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 579 From: Broomfield, CO, USA Registered: Feb 2006 posted 09-30-2009 01:07 PM                        I was referring to Toy Story & Toy Story 2. The only good movies any more are old movies.  |  IP: Logged

All times are Central (GMT -6:00)

Printer-friendly view of this topic

Hop To: Select a Forum: Category: Operations -------------------- Digital Cinema Forum Film Handlers' Forum Large Format Forum Ground Level Feature Info, Trailer Attachments & REAL Credit Offsets Category: Community -------------------- Film-Yak Film Handlers' Movie Reviews The Afterlife Bob Maar's Joke-A-Thon Category: Classified -------------------- Equipment and Supplies Wanted/For Sale Help Wanted/Seeking Employment Category: System -------------------- Software Beta Testing Forum

The Film-Tech Forums are designed for various members related to the cinema industry to express their opinions, viewpoints and testimonials on various products, services and events based upon speculation, personal knowledge and factual information through use, therefore all views represented here allow no liability upon the publishers of this web site and the owners of said views assume no liability for any ill will resulting from these postings. The posts made here are for educational as well as entertainment purposes and as such anyone viewing this portion of the website must accept these views as statements of the author of that opinion and agrees to release the authors from any and all liability.