Self/less (2015)

I really don't understand the poor reviews. It's a good entertaining movie. Watch it and you won't be disappointed.

Fmovies: 'SELF/LESS': Three and a Half Stars (Out of Five)

A sci-fi thriller/action flick starring Ryan Reynolds and Ben Kingsley. The story revolves around a dying businessman who has his consciousness transferred into the body of a younger, and much healthier, man. It was directed by Tarsem Singh (the man also responsible for the popular 2000 horror flick 'THE CELL') and written by David and Àlex Pastor. The movie also stars Matthew Goode, Natalie Martinez, Derek Luke and Victor Garber. The filmmakers do very little with their interesting ideas; but they do deliver a fun, and stylistically thrilling, action flick.

Kingsley plays Damian, a wealthy, and very successful, businessman; who's dying from cancer. A secret, groundbreaking, science organization offers to give him a new body; to extend his life. After going through with the procedure Damian is thrilled with his newfound youth, and very physically fit body, but he quickly learns that his happiness came at the expense of someone else's (the man who's body he took). Damian feels extremely guilty for taking another man's life from him, and he wants to set things right. The special organization will stop at nothing though, to protect their business.

The movie starts out as a pretty intriguing science-fiction thriller; similar movies have been done before but it did seem somewhat fresh and unique. It doesn't really develop into much though, as it prefers to entertain it's audience with stylistically cool action scenes; instead of story and character development. Singh is a very visually satisfying director to watch though, and I really like the dark style and mood of this movie. It's hard to give it credit for a lot more than that; but it is an entertaining, and somewhat thrilling, action flick.

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I would actually give this title a nine if I myself were being biased, and I can be because it's a rarity that I make it to the movies anymore. I get pretty excited when I see something that I actually care about and this was quite entertaining for me..most movies are relevant to in different ways, so take that for what it's worth. I'm a movie lover. I saw this film with the hopeful intention of walking away with a little bit of a Born Identity kind of feel, something considered to be at least surface entertainment and I was not disappointed and that is an understatement. The action and story opener with Ben Kingsley as the main protagonist was well executed, as was the claustrophobia inducing transformation into Ryan Reynolds. One of the things I was actually worried about from the preview wasn't even about the content of the film but more how under the radar that I felt it would be in the public eye. Ryan Reynolds is not by any means a bad actor and that's his problem, with something so serious and Sci-Fi oriented we're almost reluctant to even approach his ability to draw you in. We see his films and usually know what to expect because he's so likable. Ever since Waiting he's been hard to avoid, but nothing about his roles offer anything compelling and that's not really his fault. I respect his quest for versatility..I really enjoy his role in this movie, actually..the things that are great about this movie really sparkle.. I have to say the best part about this for me would have to be the directing and the Music..my God, they really pulled of some wonderful suspense...some moments made my skin crawl..they utilize an almost Hans Zimmer technique likened to Joker's theme song in the Dark Knight but it doesn't feel rehashed. It's a thoughtful cerebral thriller with the fat trimmed away, it doesn't linger in too many places..the pacing was great. There was not a boring moment and in fact most of it had me cheering, mentally. I even like the ending, thought it was beautiful. The only thing that bothered me was the closing shot of the film, it was so simplistic that it was almost like man...dude, you could have had a classic on your hands, most may not take it to that level but I promise that it's at least likable to anybody. I loved this movie, it had great potential and totally delivered the goods. Every punch, every nuance counted and reminded me that the action genre still has the chance to break some ground.

Self/less fmovies. Even know this movie might not seem amazing to most people now, I can guarantee that in about a decade or even less, the movie will gain a following and it will be big! Absolutely great! We need more movies not based on any books, comics, movies, games, anything, just original ideas is what we need! This is a fantastic film! There are a few flaws in it though, but I do not want to spoil the film. Ryan Reynolds gives a very good performance in the movie, Ben Kingsley also does, everyone gives a good performance except whoever played the mom. Just wait, there will be a following for this film, there will be t-shirts and merch for this movie years from now when more people are seeing it, it should not have been released in Summer, where it is going to get killed, should have came out in September or October.

Self/Less follows billionaire industrialist Damian Hale, who is the master of his universe, until he encounters a foe that he can't defeat: cancer. His only hope is a radical medical procedure called "shedding," in which his consciousness is transferred to a healthy body. After the procedure, Damian, now called Edward, starts a new life in New Orleans but is plagued by disturbing images. When he delves into Edward's mysterious origin, he learns that some will kill to keep it secret.

From the quirky mind of Tarsem Singh, we are brought a Sci-Fi spectacle set five years in the future where immortality now exists with many consequences, having a new body, you need to take these pills so you don't have hallucinations or die. Essentially like John Frankenheimer's classic 'Seconds', this film is still a merrymaking Thriller with enough twist and turns to make everything intriguing.

Even if we get a introduction to Kingsley's character in the first ten minutes, we all can agree that Reynolds portrayed him very ideally, being in a young body again can bring some rather exceptions. Matthew Goode, who basically plays the guy who doesn't set right with you, does play a mischievous guy with many tricks up his sleeve that do come In tack in the story.

There are scenes at times where the story becomes a bit bland that last longer than they need too and don't move the story along. There are some characters that do bring blandness as well, they are a bit dreary and don't bring enough pep to the story and are just caught up in this web of madness. I might be nit picking but these are the only troubles I had with the film.

The twists are hinted throughout and can be expected to be true but there is some speculation that makes you want to see if you're right or not. There are many stirring moments in the film from gun play, fist fights and to a car chase, you make yourself root for Reynolds/Kingsley to make everything a whole once again.

Singh brings most of his usual flair throughout, directing such charming sequences to keep you motivated for what you're about to see. S/L may not be brilliant but at least it brings fitting thrills to keep you going!

In recent times it seems like a sci fi thriller is a tricky movie to master, and whilst I don't pretend that Self/less mastered it, it's a very watchable and enjoyable movie.

'Billionaire Damian, a man responsible for enormous business deals, a big figure with the ability to buy whatever he wants, but not the thing he needs, a cure for cancer. Out with friend and fellow business man Martin a card is slipped into Damian's possession, Phoenix biogenic, with a message on the back of help. Damian attends and meets Professor Albright, who explains the procedure on offer, Damian's living consciousness can be transplanted into a new body, a body that's been cultivated. Damian accepts and wakes up a fit young man. Albright insists on meeting weekly, giving Damian the pills he must take without fail. As time goes on Damian starts having disturbing visions, the constant being a woman, little girl, and a pumpkin tower. Researching the tower he is led to St Louis, where he discovers the truth behind his new guise and the sinister Albright.

I really did enjoy this movie, the concept was a good one, it was a clever plot. There were enough surprises and plenty of intrigue to keep you wondering.

If I had one little niggle, it's that for me after the transformation to Reynolds it felt like a different film, it didn't feel seamless, maybe that was intentional, I felt they could have delved into the transition a little deeper, it seemed to happen to quickly.

Lots of action scenes, really well directed, the effects were great too. I wish Google searches worked so quickly for me, Pumpkin Towers (All I'm saying. 11,300,000 results,) my he was lucky.

Brilliantly acted, Kinglsey naturally has gravitas, he's so watchable. Ryan Reynolds was excellent I thought, I really enjoyed his performance, Matthew Goode I thought was outstanding, managing to be sinister without overplaying it. I love Michelle Dockery, but she was a little underused, just a bit part.

8/10 Very watchable, surprisingly so.