Deja vu
If you're looking for a trip, then Deja vu is the movie for you. It's rare to find a film that has such an intricately woven plot with precise pieces that all fit together, but this year we've been fortunate to have two of them. Like The Prestige, Deja vu takes you on a journey that when it concludes, everything finally makes sense and you want to watch it again to see all the stuff you might have missed the first time before you really knew what was going on. Be warned, though, this is not a sit-back-and-enjoy-your-popcorn kind of movie. To get the most out of it, you need to pay attention; an investment that may be more than most audiences are willing to go for.
Deja vu actually has a lot in common with Tony Scott's other film Enemy of the State, so much so that at times I felt like I had deja vu. You have the high tech gadgets and amazing satellite imagery with fancy zooms on computer screens and the like. However, this movie introduces some new, distinctively sci-fi elements that really sets it apart from Enemy. These sci-fi elements really stretch one's suspension of disbelief, but they're handled in such a way that make them seem somewhat plausible. Regardless of whether or not you understand all the techno-physics-quantum theory-geek-babble that's used to try and explain what's happening, if you can just accept the fact that these things exist as a interesting device to create a unique and twisting plot, you’ll understand enough to enjoy yourself; though if you've ever seen Back to the Future 2 or certain episodes of Star Trek, you'll have no trouble following where this film is going.
Deja vu is a story that's entirely dependent on its plot, so fortunately the plot is well written and interesting enough to carry the film. It starts with a terrorist act that is difficult to watch, especially considering the current events occurring in the real world, but the opening has enough of an impact to make your really care about what happens throughout the rest of the film. When you add in solid performances by Denzel Washington, Paula Patton, Val Kilmer and Jim Caviezel along with the usual deft touch of Tony Scott, you get a tight, intense techno action thriller. While most of the characters are really mere caricatures, they service the plot well enough that their shallowness isn't a distraction. They're just there to helps us figure out what's going on. It's the event that really matters in this film, and if you're looking for a trip then Deja vu is the movie for you.
The core question of this film is whether or not you can change something that's happened. Is there such a thing as destiny? Are events predetermined to unfold only in certain ways, or can our choices affect the outcome of those events? These are pretty heady questions for what many may take as a simple action flick, but Deja vu is much more than just a simple action flick. Yes there is action (including one of the most unique and mind bending chase scenes I've ever seen), but there's much more going on that just stuff blowing up. This is a discussion of our right to choose versus the perception that God is in control of everything and determines what happens to us. We hear all the time, especially in moments of tragedy and crisis, that God is in control; but if that's true, than our choices must be meaningless; which can make us (quite rightfully) feel distraught, angry and hopeless. But what if choices really mattered? What if we had the right to decide if we were going to fulfill a destiny or change it? And what if it was God who gave us that ability? How would that affect our lives and the choices we make? Well, let me just say that you don't need a lot of fancy monitors and high-tech gizmos, gadgets and computers to find the answers to those questions. In fact, all you need is an ancient book that still provides relevant answers. It’s called the Bible, and within its pages you'll find your destiny, but you'll also find that it's up to you to choose to fulfill that destiny.
Deja vu is signature Tony Scott, and regardless of whether or not that's something you like, I think that it's a film that's intriguing enough for just about anyone to enjoy. Granted, it asks a lot of its viewers; a huge amount of suspension of disbelief, a high demand to pay attention, and you need to overlook its lack of resolution of certain paradoxes or its lack of character background. Deja vu also fails to resolves some minor plot lines, but most of these details fall by the wayside as it sweeps us along for the ride. All in all, this is a mediocre movie that was turned into a pretty good movie because of the skill of the director, the solidness of the performances, and especially because of the strength of the story. If you're looking for a trip, then Déjà vu is the movie for you…that's funny…I feel liken I've said…nah.
Deja vu actually has a lot in common with Tony Scott's other film Enemy of the State, so much so that at times I felt like I had deja vu. You have the high tech gadgets and amazing satellite imagery with fancy zooms on computer screens and the like. However, this movie introduces some new, distinctively sci-fi elements that really sets it apart from Enemy. These sci-fi elements really stretch one's suspension of disbelief, but they're handled in such a way that make them seem somewhat plausible. Regardless of whether or not you understand all the techno-physics-quantum theory-geek-babble that's used to try and explain what's happening, if you can just accept the fact that these things exist as a interesting device to create a unique and twisting plot, you’ll understand enough to enjoy yourself; though if you've ever seen Back to the Future 2 or certain episodes of Star Trek, you'll have no trouble following where this film is going.
Deja vu is a story that's entirely dependent on its plot, so fortunately the plot is well written and interesting enough to carry the film. It starts with a terrorist act that is difficult to watch, especially considering the current events occurring in the real world, but the opening has enough of an impact to make your really care about what happens throughout the rest of the film. When you add in solid performances by Denzel Washington, Paula Patton, Val Kilmer and Jim Caviezel along with the usual deft touch of Tony Scott, you get a tight, intense techno action thriller. While most of the characters are really mere caricatures, they service the plot well enough that their shallowness isn't a distraction. They're just there to helps us figure out what's going on. It's the event that really matters in this film, and if you're looking for a trip then Deja vu is the movie for you.
The core question of this film is whether or not you can change something that's happened. Is there such a thing as destiny? Are events predetermined to unfold only in certain ways, or can our choices affect the outcome of those events? These are pretty heady questions for what many may take as a simple action flick, but Deja vu is much more than just a simple action flick. Yes there is action (including one of the most unique and mind bending chase scenes I've ever seen), but there's much more going on that just stuff blowing up. This is a discussion of our right to choose versus the perception that God is in control of everything and determines what happens to us. We hear all the time, especially in moments of tragedy and crisis, that God is in control; but if that's true, than our choices must be meaningless; which can make us (quite rightfully) feel distraught, angry and hopeless. But what if choices really mattered? What if we had the right to decide if we were going to fulfill a destiny or change it? And what if it was God who gave us that ability? How would that affect our lives and the choices we make? Well, let me just say that you don't need a lot of fancy monitors and high-tech gizmos, gadgets and computers to find the answers to those questions. In fact, all you need is an ancient book that still provides relevant answers. It’s called the Bible, and within its pages you'll find your destiny, but you'll also find that it's up to you to choose to fulfill that destiny.
Deja vu is signature Tony Scott, and regardless of whether or not that's something you like, I think that it's a film that's intriguing enough for just about anyone to enjoy. Granted, it asks a lot of its viewers; a huge amount of suspension of disbelief, a high demand to pay attention, and you need to overlook its lack of resolution of certain paradoxes or its lack of character background. Deja vu also fails to resolves some minor plot lines, but most of these details fall by the wayside as it sweeps us along for the ride. All in all, this is a mediocre movie that was turned into a pretty good movie because of the skill of the director, the solidness of the performances, and especially because of the strength of the story. If you're looking for a trip, then Déjà vu is the movie for you…that's funny…I feel liken I've said…nah.
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