Surrogates

This sci-fi thriller has an intriguing premise: sometime in the not-too-distant future, robot technology has enabled mankind to live “virtually” through remote-controlled surrogates (called “surries”) who go through the trials of daily life (commuting, work, etc.) while the humans stay home, clad in bathrobes and hooked up to gizmos that allow them to control their mechanized counterparts. With cyborgs used by 99 percent of the population, the problems of crime, racism, and other societal ills have been eradicated (wars still erupt but are fought in distant deserts by surrogate soldiers) in a new world populated by user-designed young, attractive, athletic “people.” But a hiccup surfaces: two humans suddenly die when their surrogates are murdered. Someone's obviously out to destroy the surrogate-controller equipment invented by Dr. Lionel Canter (James Cromwell), and FBI agents Tom Greer (Bruce Willis) and Jennifer Peters (Radha Mitchell) are determined to track down the culprit. A chase leads them to Luddite-like outcasts, led by the Prophet (Ving Rhames), who all stubbornly refuse to adopt the technology. Directed by Jonathan Mostow and adapted by John Brancato and Michael Ferris from a graphic novel by Robert Venditti and Brett Weldele, Surrogates pairs a good concept—the seduction of humans into a sedentary lifestyle—with disappointing execution. Rather than making an emotional investment in Greer's deteriorating relationship with his wife (Rosamund Pike) or offering social commentary, the lame, illogical plot churns into frenetic action sequences revolving around a superficial cat-and-mouse conspiracy. An optional purchase. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include audio commentary by director Jonathan Mostow, the music video “I Will Not Bow” by Breaking Benjamin, and trailers. Exclusive to the Blu-ray release is “A More Perfect You: The Science of Surrogates” featurette (15 min.), a “Breaking the Frame: A Graphic Novel Comes to Life” featurette (7 min.), and deleted scenes (5 min.). Bottom line: a decent extras package for a disappointing film.] (S. Granger)