Surrogates reviewed
Action sci-fi flick Surrogates is the second of 3 films in 2009 – the others being Gamer and Avatar – to deal with the issue of transplanting the human consciousness into another physical form and controlling that alternate body.
Surrogates, based on a comic series, is set in the near future, where the use of highly realistic robotic bodies, or surrogates, has become common practice. People do not leave the comfort and safety of their own homes, preferring to sit in pyjamas all day while mentally controlling their surrogates, which are sent out into the world. Impossibly beautiful, resistant to damage, and with all sorts of enhanced abilities (super strength, night vision, etc.), surrogates allow people to live out their every fantasy without fear of physical harm to themselves.
Of course there is resistance to this kind of existence, in the form of a militant group headed by the Prophet (Ving Rhames), but these men and women are essentially second class citizens, derogatively referred to as “meat bags” by surrogate users. Everything seems to be going along swimmingly until a series of murders reveals it’s possible to kill a human operator by destroying their surrogate body. FBI agent, and surrogate user, Tom Greer (Bruce Willis) is called in to investigate and in the process discovers some very unpleasant truths.
Anyone who has ever been exposed to debates about identity and the Internet, whether it be centred on online forums, chat services, dating or gaming, will be familiar with the many pros and cons theorists have put forward about living behind a fantasy façade. Surrogates unfortunately seems content to highlight the cons for the most part, and that is one of the film’s chief problems – it just doesn’t explore a highly complicated issue to the extent it deserves.
While Surrogates does touch on several interesting applications of artificial bodies, it does just that – flitting from concept to concept; never settling. Instead of any deeper thematic examination the filmmakers seem content for the project to come across as a Minority Report clone. Director Jonathan (Breakdown, Terminator 3) Mostow’s film is in fact strongly reminiscent of Spielberg’s hit blockbuster. There’s the run-down cop mourning the death of his young son, and pining for an emotionally aloof wife. There’s the powerful corporate figures who have spearheaded the development of world changing technology. And, of course, there’s the twisty mystery that tries to appear more complicated than it really is.
Surrogates certainly looks fantastic as it emphasises the contrast between fantasy and reality. While the Surrogates all have perfect tans, skin and bodies, their housebound operators are frequently repulsive in appearance, unwashed and mottled. This said, the film doesn’t have much positive to say about humanity as a whole, whether surrogate users or not. While the operators have become emotionally stunted and narcissistic due to their permanently consequence-free existence, the Prophet’s followers are brutal, backwards monsters. Despair and depression rule in this future. Fortunately though, the audience has Bruce Willis to root for because nobody else is even remotely likeable in the cast (with the exception of a geeky police systems administrator).
Ultimately Surrogates’ biggest flaw is its distracting inconsistencies in terms of the world presented onscreen. The credibility of the created universe is hampered by many unanswered questions. For example, can surrogates have fully functional sex? What has happened to Internet use in this world? What about food? The human operators of the surrogates still have to eat, even if they don’t leave their homes. They’re lazy and overweight for the most part so their surrogates must be bringing them food, but at no point do you see this. Fast food chains and supermarkets seemed to have vanished in this world of robotic supermodels.
Repeatedly too the viewer is told that surrogates have eliminated crime and prejudice. This, however, doesn’t make sense. Surely being in control of an enhanced body would make people more reckless and selfish? As for prejudice, surely discrimination would continue on a new basis as it did in Gattaca, where genetically engineered individuals had better opportunities in life as opposed to their “all-natural,” unmodified counterparts? It makes sense in Surrogates for surrogate-less people, as well as those who use cheap, nasty-looking robots with fewer features, to be looked down upon.
Perhaps I’m being too critical of Surrogates? There is only so much that can be included in an 88-minute movie after all. Then again, it’s truly disappointing that a film with so much potential, and the occasional flash of insightful social commentary, is in the end just so damn average.
Surrogates, based on a comic series, is set in the near future, where the use of highly realistic robotic bodies, or surrogates, has become common practice. People do not leave the comfort and safety of their own homes, preferring to sit in pyjamas all day while mentally controlling their surrogates, which are sent out into the world. Impossibly beautiful, resistant to damage, and with all sorts of enhanced abilities (super strength, night vision, etc.), surrogates allow people to live out their every fantasy without fear of physical harm to themselves.
Of course there is resistance to this kind of existence, in the form of a militant group headed by the Prophet (Ving Rhames), but these men and women are essentially second class citizens, derogatively referred to as “meat bags” by surrogate users. Everything seems to be going along swimmingly until a series of murders reveals it’s possible to kill a human operator by destroying their surrogate body. FBI agent, and surrogate user, Tom Greer (Bruce Willis) is called in to investigate and in the process discovers some very unpleasant truths.
Anyone who has ever been exposed to debates about identity and the Internet, whether it be centred on online forums, chat services, dating or gaming, will be familiar with the many pros and cons theorists have put forward about living behind a fantasy façade. Surrogates unfortunately seems content to highlight the cons for the most part, and that is one of the film’s chief problems – it just doesn’t explore a highly complicated issue to the extent it deserves.
While Surrogates does touch on several interesting applications of artificial bodies, it does just that – flitting from concept to concept; never settling. Instead of any deeper thematic examination the filmmakers seem content for the project to come across as a Minority Report clone. Director Jonathan (Breakdown, Terminator 3) Mostow’s film is in fact strongly reminiscent of Spielberg’s hit blockbuster. There’s the run-down cop mourning the death of his young son, and pining for an emotionally aloof wife. There’s the powerful corporate figures who have spearheaded the development of world changing technology. And, of course, there’s the twisty mystery that tries to appear more complicated than it really is.
Surrogates certainly looks fantastic as it emphasises the contrast between fantasy and reality. While the Surrogates all have perfect tans, skin and bodies, their housebound operators are frequently repulsive in appearance, unwashed and mottled. This said, the film doesn’t have much positive to say about humanity as a whole, whether surrogate users or not. While the operators have become emotionally stunted and narcissistic due to their permanently consequence-free existence, the Prophet’s followers are brutal, backwards monsters. Despair and depression rule in this future. Fortunately though, the audience has Bruce Willis to root for because nobody else is even remotely likeable in the cast (with the exception of a geeky police systems administrator).
Ultimately Surrogates’ biggest flaw is its distracting inconsistencies in terms of the world presented onscreen. The credibility of the created universe is hampered by many unanswered questions. For example, can surrogates have fully functional sex? What has happened to Internet use in this world? What about food? The human operators of the surrogates still have to eat, even if they don’t leave their homes. They’re lazy and overweight for the most part so their surrogates must be bringing them food, but at no point do you see this. Fast food chains and supermarkets seemed to have vanished in this world of robotic supermodels.
Repeatedly too the viewer is told that surrogates have eliminated crime and prejudice. This, however, doesn’t make sense. Surely being in control of an enhanced body would make people more reckless and selfish? As for prejudice, surely discrimination would continue on a new basis as it did in Gattaca, where genetically engineered individuals had better opportunities in life as opposed to their “all-natural,” unmodified counterparts? It makes sense in Surrogates for surrogate-less people, as well as those who use cheap, nasty-looking robots with fewer features, to be looked down upon.
Perhaps I’m being too critical of Surrogates? There is only so much that can be included in an 88-minute movie after all. Then again, it’s truly disappointing that a film with so much potential, and the occasional flash of insightful social commentary, is in the end just so damn average.
Comments
And yet, for some strange reason I still enjoyed it. Maybe because it was full of holes that I ended up just having a laugh? I don't know.
It was definitely less disappointing than Gamer though.
As for Gamer, I haven't seen it but your opinion sits quite comfortably with all the others I've seen. i.e. it's a big letdown.