FILM REVIEW
11/13/09 (LONDON) Joel Meadows

Surrogates

Director: Jonathan Mostow
Writers: Michael Ferris, John Brancato
Starring: Bruce Willis, Radha Mitchell, Ving Rhames

Surrogates is based on a Top Shelf science fiction graphic novel by Robert Venditti and Brett Wiedele. Directed by Jonathan Mostow (U-571, Terminator 3) and starring Bruce Willis, Surrogates posits a world where everybody has an artificial avatar or surrogate made of metal and plastic and most of society live their lives through these surrogates. Willis plays a policeman who has to investigate murders of these surrogates but these killings injure or kill the hosts too so he is dragged into a world of intrigue and deceit. Not everybody is in favour of the surrogates and the leader of the rebel movement is self-styled “The Prophet” (played by Ving Rhames).

Surrogates does explore some nice ideas about identity and living in an increasingly digital world (Facebook, Twitter) and Willis has decent value on screen as ever but it feels like a pilot for a TV series that will never be made. Also the themes here (such as alienation, etc.) are ones that are the stock in trade of Philip K Dick’s most seminal works so it does feel like you’ve been here before. However Surrogates does move along at a decent pace and with a running time of 90 minutes, it doesn’t outstay its welcome. Visually there are some nice flourishes and Mostow controls the action with a deft hand. The script is also a little bit smarter than your average summer blockbuster. So recommended with a few reservations.