Push Directed by: Paul McGuigan Cast: Chris Evans, Dakota Fanning, Camilla Belle, Djimon Hounsou Running Time: 1 hr 50 mins Rating: PG-13
For He Said/She Said on Push, click here.
Plot: A group of people with telekinetic powers (Evans, Fanning, and Belle) are being hunted by a government agency called Division. At the same time, they must prevent a super-serum from getting into the agency's hands.
Who’s It For? The dating crowd that didn't plan on seeing He's Just Not That Into You anyway.
Expectations: Isn't this around the same time that the similar-looking, super-stupid Jumper came out last year?
SCORECARD (0-10)
Actors:
Chris Evans as Nick Gant: Screenwriter David Bourla has constructed a likable character with Nick - Evans just gives him a good face/body. The twenty-something wafting around Hong Kong is a solid example of Push's idea that these special abilities are more burdening than they are convenient. It is also refreshing to see a main "super" hero so conservative with his powers. Score: 5
Dakota Fanning as Cassie Holmes: This is a decent attempt from the young actress to distance herself from all of our younger memories of her. But in her playing grown up, we're the ones feeling awkward - why is she wearing hooker clothes? Fanning portrays her likable character with a lot of grime, and gives herself some edge with a few colored strands of hair and a cuss or two. At the least, it's a respectable effort of experimentation through wistful maturity. She is what Britney Spears described as being "not a girl, but not yet a woman." Score: 6
Camilla Belle as Kira Hudson: Again, Belle doesn't talk too much. Like her role as a mute in the aptly titled The Quiet, she further shows that numbed expression is not her forte. The powers that Kira has can only do so much to mask a boring performance. Some twists in the third act are a nice push towards eliciting some type of excitement out of her mysteriousness, but it's all a bit too late. Score: 3
Djimon Hounsou as Henry Carver: Hounsou takes his job as the face of Division too seriously. Letting his lackey Victor (Neil Jackson) have all the fun, the character of Carver is simply one of deep stares and heavy scowls. Hounsou is fine at this reduced character, but one wishes he were as fun as his Orson Welles beard. Score: 4
Talking: The film has bits of funny dialogue, often in quick-witted exchanges between Fanning and Evans. Certain lines tend to be more preposterous than dramatic, such as when Fanning says "they suck the future right out of her." Score: 5
Sights: A la Lucky Number Slevin, director Paul McGuigan has made the visuals a type of refuge from an obtuse story. Focused colors, extensive takes, and unique angles add an interesting pizzazz to an otherwise un-special film. Push is also shot entirely in Hong Kong, which is a nice change of scenery for American mainstream cinema. Score: 7
Sounds: Equally as lively as the film's camera is its music. A combination of original music from Neil Davidge and artists like U.N.K.L.E make for a thumping experience. The catchy and well chosen music is a fitting adrenaline for certain slow scenes that need a bit of a boost. Score: 7
PLOT SPOILERS
Best Scene: Though lopsided logically, the final showdown of psychic powers galore is chewable action sci-fi fare.
Ending: Everything is resolved up until the last second of the movie, but not before a handful of twists!
Questions: There are a lot of plot holes. Like other disappointing movies, to ask questions with Push is to like it less. There's no way around it.
Rewatchability: Nothing in this movie warrants a re-watch until DVD, at the least.
OVERALL
It is refreshing to see that Push doesn't revolve entirely around its bankable, special-effects-driven action scenes. Though these moments are a bit fun, with novelties like floating guns and mind manipulation, the film is also focused on its drama.
But too much of its story tends to make Push drag, weighing on our attention.
McGuigan's latest tries to balance both story and action, but forgets to give either of them a fair amount of brain power. The film's attempts at being mind-blowing are soured when you realize that's exactly what it's not.
With twists and a winding story, Push hopes its supposed cleverness will pull your mind away from stepping in its plot craters.
Final Score: 4/10