Self/Less (2015)
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The problem here is when filming these types of films, the audience has you at hello, but the reality is simple, to much of it can make your cool, awesome world into a box office flop. The Matrix was a great film, but the follow ups needed a lot of work, and i don't mean the special effects. The story went from being amazing to OK, then the trilogy fell short. The science used fell short, it's reality was to extreme, it twisted to much to understand, and enjoy. The issue i have with movie science is simple, turn it down a notch, to much of movie science can either give you a headache or completely turn you away from the film.
Review: imagine a man, not just a man but a billionaire that pays a dude, a lot of money to proceed with a process called 'Shedding,' your consciousness is transferred to another body, a host. Pills are taken to suppress the memories that come in, while you enjoy your new life. Granted remember the host has memories, pasts experiences, swarming inside your head. The main character Damian (Ryan Reynolds) is a young guy, he is really an older man, the billionaire i mentioned, died; Damian had terminal cancer, his money went to a process that would change everything. The process is handled by a guy with rimmed glasses, a nerd, but a smart one. He calls himself, Albright (Matthew Goode), what kinda name is that, i would hate my parents, really i would. A man of science, who after the procedure is done, gives you twelve pills, red, or some color. Anyway, this weird, creepy guy gives the client, which is Damian a new life. Money, savings, anything you want. If things get a bit complicated, like reoccurring memories or anything like that, your relocated to another state.
Damian as the older, dying man is played by Ben Kingsley, an award winning actor who does his job to perfection. I mean his scenes were really good, you had know idea what was going to happen, no worries because the old Damian scenes were done well, more than that, his acting was spot on. The billionaire had problems from the start of the film, his relationship with Claire (Michelle Dockery) wasn't good at all, his answer was money to everything, and Claire wanted nothing of it. His persistent nature was to overwhelming, so their relationship took a big hit. With that being said, he knew after the procedure, things would be different. The death of him would matter if he connects to his daughter, but why start a new life if his daughter doesn't want anything to do with him, especially after he tried to give her a check, which didn't go very well. The sad events unfold with Damian dying, and his consciousness transfers to another persons body, a young, stronger, version of him. But the reality is different, he is not him, he feels that stealing another's body cruel, and with the memories coming and going, the 250,000,000 he gave Albright is not what he would've done if he had known the reality of the situation.
Damian (Ryan Reynolds), afterwards undergoes physical therapy, mental exercises, basically bring the host and Damian back together. The problem are the memories of the past, a wife Madeline (Natalie Martinez), and a daughter, Anna (Jaynee-Lynne Kinchen). The pills given by Albright has put some of those memories to rest, but a new life awaits. The desire of different ladies, fast cars, expensive tastes in clothing, a life of solitude, but those memories continue to force there way in. At this point of the film your pretty much wondering what to do, no worries Damian solves the problem by breaking the rules and checking out the memories. Here we have a problem because the weird looking dude, Albright sends a couple of guys, one of which Damian had befriended in New Orleans were most of the film is shot. The plot twist occurs and the good scientist turns into something evil.
The film is really good, i hope i didn't give to much away, if i did my apologies, i know spoilers suck, but in order to review movies, sometimes you have to go in detail, at least i do. by, the way there are reviews out on the Captain America: Civil War film that is out, which i will not read, because to actually review a film you really need to go into detail, period. Anyone tells you different are very wrong. Because without elaborating your review will suck, sorry it will, you need to point out the problems. So put out a spoiler alert, and your good. Anyway, getting back to this film, it was a low budget film, but the story was good, with an added dose of movie science, i didn't have any issues with this film, at least it was to the point, didn't go into a monologue, like those Matrix films did, just to make a point. Alright, blue, and red pill, i get it. The first Matrix film was very good, just pointing out those other ones, that made no sense, in fact they remind me of a well rehearsed rebuttal in a debate. Self/Less went into a very touchy place, in fact playing God is not liked by those who are of faith, they will fight any cause who try other wise. To me this film had substance, a balanced story, with action, suspense, everything you want in a film. Maybe the science was off, but remember what i said in the beginning, it's movie science, it's not meant to make sense. Sometimes we take things a part to much and forget that it's a movie.
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