$2.50 Reviews: Push (2009)

[Marter]

$2.50 Reviews:
Push
<img height=400>http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/39/pushposter.jpg

There are many types of superhumans in Push. So many in fact, that it's a bit overwhelming. There are "Watchers", "Movers", "Pushers", "Bleeders", "Sniffs", "Shifters", "Wipers", "Shadows" and "Snitches". Try keeping track of that while watching the film. You also have to keep track of which character can do what, and when. Can our lead, Nick (Chris Evans), move things well all of the time, or just when he is motivated? Can his sidekick, Cassie (Dakota Fanning), see much of the future at all, or is she actually the most powerful character in the film?

[Img_Inline width="275" Caption="Do they look like they care?" Align="left"]http://img801.imageshack.us/img801/4085/fpush2009engm907fdd1.jpg[/Img_Inline]

These questions are not asked rhetorically either; I'm dead serious when I ask them. They aren't answered by the film, nor are they really hinted upon. We don't get conclusions regarding the extent of our protagonists' powers, and we are also cheated by the ending. The film seems to want to hide as much as it can from its audience, just so that it will come across as being more than it actually is.

It is actually quite a simple story, dressed up by deceit and superpowers. There is a case, something that is wanted by multiple parties. The first party consists of Nick and Cassie, the latter finds the former early on and convinces him to come along on this quest. The second party is the "Division", represented by an agent named Carver (Djimon Hounsou). The Division wants the case because it contains a drug-filled syringe. The drug in question is supposed to enhance a superhuman's powers, but also kills them. That is, until someone survives the injection and escapes with the drug. She has hidden the now-sought-after case and ends up joining the first party at one point in the film. The rest of the movie follows each group in their attempt to find the case, and more importantly, find the drug.

[Img_Inline width="275" Caption="She doesn't seem to care much either." Align="right"]http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/3812/push19.jpg[/Img_Inline]

At this point, you may be wondering why Nick decides to go along with Cassie's plan to find this case. If you are, never fear, because we are told right at the beginning of the film. 10 years prior, a young nick is sat down by his father and told that, if a girl gave him a flower, he should help her. This clever bit of foreshadowing, (it's not actually clever, or really all that much of a foreshadowing technique, but I digress), appears soon after, when she gives him a single flower. She also explains that she can see the ever-changing future, and that she has "seen" that her mother is in danger. This is Nick's sole motivation; he has to help Cassie, because his now-late father told him so 10 years beforehand.

This could be redeemed if Nick, or any characters for that matter, were likable or relatable in any way. They all speak like they are trying to say memorable quotes, but it all falls flat. There is little emotion uttered by the characters, even when a little emotion might help us care for the characters. We don't care about Chris, we don't care about the Division, and we only care about Cassie a little bit, but likely only because she's a child, one who shouldn't have to "see" her mother's death over and over again.

[Img_Inline width="275" Caption="Surprisingly, the two best actors in the film are pictured here." Align="left"]http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/4885/push1.jpg[/Img_Inline]

The plot is also odd in its pacing. There is a scene where the girl who originally hid the case, Kira (Camilla Belle), and Nick are left alone in a room, while on the run from the Division. While there, despite the fact that they are supposed to be fearful of being caught, they decide that it would be a good time to "make up". They had been a couple beforehand, as we have learned, and despite her initially hostile reaction to seeing Nick, (she shoots in his direction many times), a few minutes later it seems that didn't matter.

Visually, the film does shine. It doesn't overdo it in the special effects department, and only makes use of the characters' powers when necessary. Chris is a "Mover", meaning he can use telekinesis. To what extent, and when, we aren't told. At the beginning, he can't even make a die turn over, but a few scenes later, he can make two guns hover and press them against the heads of his opposition. While all of this looks good, it doesn't distract from the fact that his powers are terribly inconsistent, to say the least.

I don't think that Push failed due to over ambition. It failed, in my mind at least, because of a poorly written script. All of its problems stem from this, from the poor dialogue, to the overwhelming number of superhuman types, as well as with the lackluster story. Push doesn't have much, apart from the visuals, going for it, and it doesn't stay entertaining enough to warrant a watch. The story is, at its core, good enough to work with, but it gets covered up by so many confusing elements that it isn't worth your time to get a conclusion from. A conclusion, that I'd like to add, doesn't come anyway.

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[zombiesinc]

I remember seeing the preview for this film, and although I somewhat like both main characters, I wasn't really moved (hurrhurr) to see it at any point. I may end up watching it if it ends up on Netflix, but otherwise, who knows...

This could be redeemed if Nick, or any characters for that matter, we likable or relatable in any way.

Otherwise a very solid review Marter. I'm not particularly sure why nobody replied to this though. Unacceptable I say!

 

[Marter]

I remember seeing the preview for this film, and although I somewhat like both main characters, I wasn't really moved (hurrhurr) to see it at any point. I may end up watching it if it ends up on Netflix, but otherwise, who knows...

This could be redeemed if Nick, or any characters for that matter, we likable or relatable in any way.

Otherwise a very solid review Marter. I'm not particularly sure why nobody replied to this though. Unacceptable I say!

This is why you need to post right away, so I can fix these errors!

And I don't know why no one else posted on this either. Maybe I'm burning people out with these daily reviews?

 

[Mr. Omega]

A film about a large world of superpowered beings... this should have been the ultimate film for me! *sigh* Well, one can keep dreaming, I suppose.

OT: Good review. Honestly, this film was forgetable.

 

[Chicago Ted]

I personally thought this film was great.

While the plot might have been weak, the charm certain characters brought in and utterly stunning setting more than made up for it.

What I mean by the charm of the characters is this. While Nick and Kira might have been more dull and shallow, neither was ever bad, instead handing in simply mediocre performances. On the other hand though, Cassie, Hook (The Shifter), and Pinky were all rather good. Cassie always had my interest, especially in how she was introduced, while Pinky and Hook were both great but not used enough.

The setting though was where this really hit home for me. Every single seen was beautifully shot. I've always had an interest in the idea of being in a massive city where you could simply blend into crowd, and Push went right with this. If the plot ever got dull or slow, my focus would just wander to the scenery and try to take it all in.

I think that this movie gets a bit too much flak. While it may not be the most stellar movie, I feel it to be far above decent, and not at all close to bad. To pick on a couple of your criticisms, I feel that you might have missed a couple bits.

The first is how you say that Nick's power is inconsistent. The main thing here is that Nick is still learning how to tap into his power, and is picking most of it up as he goes. He has a great amount of potential in him, being a possibly brilliant Mover, but has not been able to train himself properly. It is not until moments of anxiety or danger is he able to unleash some of his real potential. That and the fact that most of the tricks he uses are picked up from observing what Victor, a far more advanced Mover, does. Monkey see, monkey do, right?

Spoiler: Cassie's Power

This one I'm going to spoiler since I don't want to give too much away.

You comment at the beginning of your review that you don't know how much power Cassie has. It is fairly apparent that she is simply a decent Watcher, and one that probably just needs more time to develop. It is her mother however that is the extremely powerful Watcher, and is responsible for causing the events of this movie. It was her mother's examination of the future that lead to her causing the slightest change that she could do from her confinement that catalyzed the entire movie.

Sorry if this is a bit rambly but I'm on little sleep and I felt like commenting. I think the review is pretty good, but I still hold my opinion of this movie as it being far better then what most people credit it for.

Also, a possible suggestion for you if you're interested, but I know of a movie that might be good for you to review. Lucky Number Slevin is my personal favourite movie, but I normally find few people that either know of it or are able to comment on it. If you do a review of it, I would be more than happy to discuss that.

 

[Marter]

snip

Wow. It's already been 3 weeks since I've seen this, and I only have a vague recollection of what you are talking about. Go my memory!

I'm sure you are right when it comes to their powers and their potential, but to be honest, you shouldn't have to think that hard about it. We are inferring, here, at least on the part of Nick. We can't be sure that is what is happening, all we can know is what we are shown. Assumptions are fine, and you are welcome to them, but I can't base a review on them.

As for Cassie, I will concede. I missed something, clearly, and I'm sure you are right. Her mother didn't really come up that much, and I must have missed where it was explained that she impacted the story as much as she did.

To be honest, I would like a sequel to Push. It was a neat concept, and if they did develop their characters more, the sequel could be quite good. Looking at the box office returns though...it isn't likely.

Lucky Number Slevin is on my list of movies to buy. Once I find it, it'll get reviewed at some point, likely pushing some of the films I already have down on my priority list. I'm currently sitting at about 120ish films unwatched, and I am always on the lookout for more. It will get reviewed, I just can't say when.

 

[Chicago Ted]

snip

I'm sure you are right when it comes to their powers and their potential, but to be honest, you shouldn't have to think that hard about it. We are inferring, here, at least on the part of Nick. We can't be sure that is what is happening, all we can know is what we are shown. Assumptions are fine, and you are welcome to them, but I can't base a review on them.

Too be fair, I'm kinda speculating here as well, but I'll try and refine what I'm saying at least so it's a bit clearer.

What I'm trying to get at is the concept of... Urgency?

Well, picture it this way. Normal guy might not be able to lift a car. However, when the car has fallen ontop of his wife/daughter/whoever he cares for, and it has become a life threatening situation, due to the crisis he may be able to lift it for a few seconds without even thinking due to a mix of fear, need, and adrenaline.

Perhaps the same could be true with Nick's powers then. He is only really able to take control of them when he truely needs them. At that point, maybe it's instinct that takes hold of him, and he just reacts to the world around him while tapping into his capabilities.

This seemed like a natural conclussion when me and my friend watched it. You're right on how it isn't exactly spelt out for you, but to us it made sense.

As for Lucky Number Slevin, as I said in my prior post, it is one of my favourite movies. I recommend it to anyone. Only thing I can say about it if you do get around to it is to try not to look into it beforehand too much. Come in with as few expectations and judgements as possible until you've seen it. I think that you'd appreciate it more that way.

*When I say you, I don't specifically mean you but I'm meaning people in general. Not going to retype that last paragraph to fix it. Anyways, sleep time now, if you respond to this, it likely won't be until tomorrow that I am able to read it.

Have a good one.

 

[Marter]

Too be fair, I'm kinda speculating here as well, but I'll try and refine what I'm saying at least so it's a bit clearer.

What I'm trying to get at is the concept of... Urgency?

Well, picture it this way. Normal guy might not be able to lift a car. However, when the car has fallen ontop of his wife/daughter/whoever he cares for, and it has become a life threatening situation, due to the crisis he may be able to lift it for a few seconds without even thinking due to a mix of fear, need, and adrenaline.

Perhaps the same could be true with Nick's powers then. He is only really able to take control of them when he truely needs them. At that point, maybe it's instinct that takes hold of him, and he just reacts to the world around him while tapping into his capabilities.

This seemed like a natural conclussion when me and my friend watched it. You're right on how it isn't exactly spelt out for you, but to us it made sense.

As for Lucky Number Slevin, as I said in my prior post, it is one of my favourite movies. I recommend it to anyone. Only thing I can say about it if you do get around to it is to try not to look into it beforehand too much. Come in with as few expectations and judgements as possible until you've seen it. I think that you'd appreciate it more that way.

*When I say you, I don't specifically mean you but I'm meaning people in general. Not going to retype that last paragraph to fix it. Anyways, sleep time now, if you respond to this, it likely won't be until tomorrow that I am able to read it.

Have a good one.

Yes, what you are saying does make sense. I think if a line of dialogue to explain this was inserted somewhere, (And IIRC, there was ample opportunity to do so), then that would take care of the issue completely. I still hold that it wasn't a great film in my eyes, but if you enjoyed it a lot, more power to you!

And I have looked nothing into Lucky Number Slevin, except that it has Bruce Willis and Morgan Freeman. That was good enough for me.

Take it easy.