Movie Review: Surrogates (2009)

Let's take a moment to consider the comic book movie genre. When one of these films works (Batman, X-men, Sin City, etc.), usually it has strong character development and a clear sense of the mission. When it fails (Watchmen, The Hulk), we leave the theater reminded that reliance on CGI action sequences does not replace a good story.

This brings us to "Surrogates." At 89 minutes running time, it has a lot of ground to cover, and quickly. It doesn't work. We don't get a lot of back story, so we never really feel connected to the hero. He chases the bad guy through a landfill; we shrug. Characters explain away the details of the plot instead of us actually getting to watch them in action. Remember your teacher saying, "Show, don't tell"? This film mostly tells.

On the positive side, "Surrogates" has a very sleek production design. Boston initially looks dark and futuristic, just as you would hope for in a comic book movie. A car zips through the Seaport and Fort Point district, and you think you are watching "Batman."

Bruce Willis is very bland as FBI agent Tom Greer. There are whispers that he and his entourage were completely juvenile to have around the set -- catcalling female crew members and taunting people. Maybe if his surrogate had been a 17 yr old hockey player, it might have been a more convincing film.

Final Score = C+