"If you thought it was just a trick of the mind, prepare yourself"... for a mediocre film.
Denzel Washington: Doug Carlin
Val Kilmer: Agent Pryzwarra
Paula Patton: Claire Kuchever
James Caviezel: Carroll Oerstadt
Adam Goldberg: Denny
Eldon Henson: Gunnars
Erika Alexander: Shanti
Bruce Greenwood: Jack McCready
Directed By: Tony Scott
Release Date: November 22, 2006
Running Time: 128 minutes
Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and terror, disturbing images and some sensuality.
It is amazing that the director behind such superlative escapist films like Days of Thunder, True Romance, and Top Gun seems to be gradually becoming worse as time rolls along. What makes this fact much more frustrating is that the concepts of his latest offerings are always intriguing. Domino, the “sort of” true story about a female bounty hunter failed due to Tony Scott’s infatuation with camera trickery and headache-inducing coloring effects, but it could have been a success. This year he has presented moviegoers with another interesting premise dealing with the notion of déjà vu. Déjà Vu also marks his first collaboration with Producer Jerry Bruckheimer since 1998’s Enemy of the State. Sadly, this reunion was not the answer to Scott’s mishaps as of late.
Many or all people have experienced some form of déjà vu in their lifetimes. It is an unsettling feeling when it occurs, and ATF Agent Doug Carlin (Denzel Washington) is discovering that “déjà vu” is guiding him in his investigation of an earth-shattering terrorist act, by leading him through a puzzling mystery. Carlin is brought in to recover evidence and unravel clues after a bomb explodes on a New Orleans Ferry on Fat Tuesday in February of 2006, which kills hundreds of people. While working with Agent Pryzwarra (Val Kilmer) on the case, Carlin is informed of a powerful secret involving a special team that uses state-of-the-art technology that aids in solving crimes. This startling information takes him into the home and private life of a woman named Claire Kuchever (Paula Patton), who happens to be the key to the case. He also tracks and comes face to face with the psychopathic terrorist who committed the dastardly crime (Jim Caviezel). Hundres of lives hang in the balance, and Carlin only has one chance to make it right.
No complaint will be heard on the quality of the performances displayed here. Each and every actor executes their respective characters and scenes properly and tolerably, but that is the most bothersome aspect of the whole movie. Denzel Washington is capable of more than the humdrum Doug Carlin. He has his routine, slow motion stroll (with sunglasses of course) sequence where every audience member takes in the splendor of such a magnificent actor, but only one segment sufficiently shows his ability. That happens to be the part where the secret is unveiled, but I wouldn’t want to spoil that for you. Likewise, Val Kilmer has a supporting role that could have been played by any person for a substantially less amount of money I’m guessing. Kilmer is added to the cast solely for his name on the billing. Finally, Jim Caviezel has an unfortunate minor role as the terrorist Carroll Oerstadt. Mr. Caviezel has proved his talents time and time again in The Passion of the Christ and The Count of Monte Cristo. He is the most underrated performer in Hollywood today, and he is wasted in Déjà Vu, just like everyone else.
I will however praise the captivating, forceful, and profound supporting role provided by Paula Patton (Idlewild, Hitch). As Claire Kuchever, she should convince all who do not know her that she is proficient enough to handle the load of heavier parts.
I commend the hurdles that Tony Scott and the rest of crew endured during the filming of this science-fiction action flick. The process had many delays due to the destruction that Hurricane Katrina caused. The remnants can be spotted in certain areas. Those who enjoy episodes of C.S.I might be pleased overall with this forgettable Thanksgiving blockbuster, but for those who expect the trademark pulse-pounding action, combined with a clever plot will be a bit positively disappointed. Scott seems obsessed with using his slick and speedy editing and the latest surveillance technology. Enemy of the State is further proof of that fixation, but it was implemented far more superior then. They immerse viewers in a sea of perplexing techno jargon, which only impresses for a couple minutes (maybe seconds). The plot is not completely horrible, but the pacing is so poor that the general atmosphere lacks passion. The whole film can be divided in two portions. The first is the predictably bland investigation, and the other is the preposterous high-tech, altering time, cat and mouse game. Denzel even has his cheesy time travel gadgets.
Déjà Vu has enough panache, and is absorbing enough to sustain the interest of viewers for its running time, but I noticed nothing excessively entertaining. The action sequences are dull and lifeless. Besides the Ferry explosion, a horribly-choreographed car chase is inserted. I perfectly understood the ending, and to be honest I expected it. The screenplay never took any huge twists, and never attempted to roll the dice for any risky gambles. Most critics are slapping an average rating on Déjà Vu, but I feel that Tony Scott and Jerry Bruckheimer have more up their sleeves that this pedestrian action thriller. The trailer for Déjà Vu says “If you thought it was just a feeling, turn back and look again.” I will not look back, I will simply walk out of theater and hope that I never experience this type of Déjà Vu ever again.
The 411: Director Tony Scott and Producer Jerry Bruckheimer can fashion a genuinely fascinating action thriller half the time, but the remaining half of the time, they end up creating a film that just falls flat. Take a guess on which one Deja Vu falls under. No matter how many big name stars a filmmaker uses, and regardless of how well someone can mold the trailer to appear exciting, the film itself needs to satisfy. Déjà Vu does not, and it is a shame. Just like Domino and Man on Fire, when a group brings Déjà Vu up 5 or 10 years down the road, people will reply with “Oh yeah, I remember that” more often then “That was a good movie.”
