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Surrogates

CAST
BRUCE WILLIS
JAMES CROMWELL
MICHAEL CUDLITZ
JAMES FRANCIS GINTY
BORIS KODJOE
RADHA MITCHELL
JAKE NOSEWORTHY
ROSAMUND PIKE
DEVIN RATRAY
VING RHAMES

BASED ON THE GRAPHIC NOVEL BY
ROBERT VENDITTI
BRETT WELDELE

SCREENPLAY BY
JOHN D.BRANCATO
MICHAEL FERRRIS

PRODUCED BY
MAX HANDELMAN
DAVID HOBERMAN
TODD LIEBERMAN

DIRECTED BY
JONATHAN MOSTOW

GENRE
ACTION
CRIME
MYSTERY
SCIENCE FICTION
THRILLER

RATED
AUSTRALIA:M
UK:12A
USA:PG-13

RUNNING TIME
88 MIN

SURROGATES (2009)

An intriguing premise and slick visuals are not enough to override a cliché ridden script in the sci-fi action mystery, Surrogates.

Surrogates is based on a graphic novel created by Robert Venditti and Brett Weldele, which garnered acclaim for its immersive writing and views on the relationship between human nature and technology. But somewhere in the adaptation process, something went awry.

Opening credits briefs the viewer on the scientific progress developed in the not too distant future, especially in regards to an advanced technology where human controlled robot replicas are created to give the physically disabled the chance to walk again.

It does not take long for these “surrogates” to be exploited by a multi-billion dollar corporation and made available to the general public, who in their vanity take on their new toy with glee.       

As a result a soulless utopian world is born, where anyone can be and do anything without consequence or guilt.

The surrogates themselves are infallible synthetic versions of the varied actors portraying them, and often come across as comical in appearance and demeanour, which is most probably an intentional nod to the shallowness that humanity can succumb to when given the time and opportunity.   

Yet it is to the filmmakers’ misfortune that the films murder mystery plot does not hold up to the themes and high visual quality certain to woo many a viewer to the cinema, yet leave them feeling empty afterwards.

Surrogates stars Bruce Willis as an FBI Agent working the first homicide in years, as a madman kills surrogates and their human controllers with a dangerous new weapon.

Willis has had a successful career portraying law enforcement characters, often dealing with heavy emotional baggage while saving the day, and here is no different.

Cliché nonsense such as cops with marital problems, greedy corporations, untrustworthy military, and religious figureheads on a power trip, dominate the films script.

Meanwhile director Jonathan Mostow, who previously helmed another sci-fi actioner involving duelling robots in Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, offers slick yet bland action sequences and predictable thrills.   

This is a shame, since Surrogates had the potential to become a meaningful and entertaining film. As it stand is just does not dig deep enough in its commentary on the relationship between humanity and technology, nor does it have the action muscle to provide a distraction from its woeful script.

**
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