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From Amazon.co.uk
Intriguingly scaled more along the lines of a good sci-fi short story than a steroid-enhanced action picture, Surrogates proposes a variation on spectatorship-run-amok. In the near future, human beings need no longer leave their homes: mechanical surrogates, similar in appearance (but younger looking, fitter, with fewer wrinkles and more hair) can move about in the world on the user's behalf, following commands and absorbing physical wear and tear. A cop (Bruce Willis) begins investigating a mystifying case of a user who died when his surrogate got blasted by a fancy ray-gun in the street--that's a definite violation of the company guarantee. In the course of a trim, sub-90-minute running time, the Willis character himself is forced to enter the mean streets in his own flesh-and-blood version, not his surrogate, a move that puzzles both his wife (Rosamund Pike) and partner (Radha Mitchell). In the movie's scheme of perfect surrogates and digitally-smoothed faces, the grizzled humanity of Bruce Willis comes blazing through; what a relief to see a battered human in the midst of the beautiful people. Director Jonathan Mostow (Terminator 3) gets the world right, but one waits in vain for a fuller picture of the effects of this surrogate population, or a deeper study of the creator (James Cromwell) of the technology, or a reason to get involved in the rebel leader (Ving Rhames in a fright wig) and his reservation populated by defiant non-surrogates. Sprinting along as it does, Surrogates doesn't find time for these presumably crucial details, and the result feels a little skin-deep. --Robert Horton
Product Description
Science fiction film set in a future where humans live in the safe solitude of their own homes whilst communicating through robots acting as surrogates. The robots not only carry out the lives of the humans, they also look like them with an enhanced physical appearance. Bruce Willis stars as FBI Agent Greer who assigns his own surrogate to help him inspect the murder of a college student with links to the creator of the surrogates. As the complexity of the case intensifies, however, the reclusive detective realises that in order to have a chance of catching the killer he must brave the outside world, leaving the safety of his own home. With the help of Agent Peters (Radha Mitchell), Agent Greer attempts to track down the killer and uncover the intrigue surrounding the surrogate facade.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
23 of 26 people found the following review helpful
By Puzzle box
Format:DVD
This film was an interesting twist on the robot as human concept, with a plot that managed to keep the viewer interested, up until the silly ending which I did not like. A high tech company has specialized in mass producing surrogates, or personal robots, which are sold to the American middle class. They are quickly adopted to perform routine functions and then essentially perform high level functions (like one's job). The main theme was how the surrogates assumed people's lives and identities to such an extent the flesh & blood owner of the surrogate could stay home and presumably pursue higher level interests. The reality was most people simply fell into a spiritual stupor, resorting to alcohol or drugs to pass their time.
Some of the actors were very good and up to the task of portraying themselves in robotic fashion (this doesn't require great acting skill but the screenplay was quite good) but most of the time they felt miscast like Ving Rhames character. I thought Bruce Willis did a good job though in the lead role(s) as FBI Agent Tom Geer (he also played his "surrogate" as a very low key robot). Bruce's surrogate is investigating the death of the son of the founder of the corporation that invented and produced the surrogates. This kicked off the main plot, which centered around an armed resistance group opposed to surrogates and attempting to defeat the surrogates and the corporation that produced them.
If the plot sounds confused, at times it is, and the ending was less than satisfying. But for a far fetched sci-fi movie about robots, this was one of the decent ones, District 9 was alot better though.
Some of the actors were very good and up to the task of portraying themselves in robotic fashion (this doesn't require great acting skill but the screenplay was quite good) but most of the time they felt miscast like Ving Rhames character. I thought Bruce Willis did a good job though in the lead role(s) as FBI Agent Tom Geer (he also played his "surrogate" as a very low key robot). Bruce's surrogate is investigating the death of the son of the founder of the corporation that invented and produced the surrogates. This kicked off the main plot, which centered around an armed resistance group opposed to surrogates and attempting to defeat the surrogates and the corporation that produced them.
If the plot sounds confused, at times it is, and the ending was less than satisfying. But for a far fetched sci-fi movie about robots, this was one of the decent ones, District 9 was alot better though.
22 of 25 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
And one that is becoming more relevant at that. Bruce Willis is superb as a detective who is investigating a murder, in a future society where a murder hasn't been committed for years! Why?
People in this future never go out. Instead, a robot/avatar copy of themselves, which they can add their personality to, goes to work, goes to the mall, goes out, while the real person stays at home in safety. Sounds farfetched? Think again. Think about how many people these days spend more time online on sites like Facebook and not interacting with real people . . . then see that SURROGATES is networking gone too far in the future! And the real people who stay in are becoming obese couch potatoes like the starship passengers in WALL-E and turning to alcohol and drugs to make their lives better, even though crime on the outside is down.
Things take on a new twist when FBI Agent Tom Geer(Willis, who also plays his surrogate robot in a small role, which was clever)investigating the death of the son of the Chief Executive of the robot manufacturing corporation that made the surrogates; discovering an armed resistance group opposed to the technology wanting a return to humanity. The pace never slackens and the ending - WOW. Not what I expected at all, which really made this a five-star review. I won't give it away, but it does make you think hard about how too dependent on high-tech gadgets and introverted lifestyles we have become.
Ironic, as one reviewer stated, I'm posting it on a site like this, but SURROGATES, one of the most underrated movies of 2009 by critics, comes highly recommended!!
People in this future never go out. Instead, a robot/avatar copy of themselves, which they can add their personality to, goes to work, goes to the mall, goes out, while the real person stays at home in safety. Sounds farfetched? Think again. Think about how many people these days spend more time online on sites like Facebook and not interacting with real people . . . then see that SURROGATES is networking gone too far in the future! And the real people who stay in are becoming obese couch potatoes like the starship passengers in WALL-E and turning to alcohol and drugs to make their lives better, even though crime on the outside is down.
Things take on a new twist when FBI Agent Tom Geer(Willis, who also plays his surrogate robot in a small role, which was clever)investigating the death of the son of the Chief Executive of the robot manufacturing corporation that made the surrogates; discovering an armed resistance group opposed to the technology wanting a return to humanity. The pace never slackens and the ending - WOW. Not what I expected at all, which really made this a five-star review. I won't give it away, but it does make you think hard about how too dependent on high-tech gadgets and introverted lifestyles we have become.
Ironic, as one reviewer stated, I'm posting it on a site like this, but SURROGATES, one of the most underrated movies of 2009 by critics, comes highly recommended!!
30 of 36 people found the following review helpful
By H. meiehofer
VINE™ VOICE
Format:DVD
Surrogates posits a world where we humans have almost entirely divorced ourselves from reality and entirely embraced a virtual existence. Each one of us lives our lives vicariously via an android which we control remotely. Just an extension of the logic we are following today perhaps.
This is quite an interesting idea which builds upon the work of Philip K Dick, particularly Bladerunner, in examining the nature of consciousness. It also examines the fears that some of us have about how much technology is separating us from experiencing the real world; for example instead of talking to a friend about this film, I am posting a review on Amazon (which is fairly ironic in the circumstances).
The film does not entirely live up to these grand ideas in its execution. The plot is not wholly convincing and the film does not fully grab the viewer's emotions, although Bruce Willis does turn in his usual solid performance.
Nonetheless, it is good to see a modern science fiction work which goes beyond special effects (although this has plenty of those as well).
This is quite an interesting idea which builds upon the work of Philip K Dick, particularly Bladerunner, in examining the nature of consciousness. It also examines the fears that some of us have about how much technology is separating us from experiencing the real world; for example instead of talking to a friend about this film, I am posting a review on Amazon (which is fairly ironic in the circumstances).
The film does not entirely live up to these grand ideas in its execution. The plot is not wholly convincing and the film does not fully grab the viewer's emotions, although Bruce Willis does turn in his usual solid performance.
Nonetheless, it is good to see a modern science fiction work which goes beyond special effects (although this has plenty of those as well).
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3.6 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
much underrated film
interesting premise, not derivative but not desperately original, but the script, acting and direction all work together well. ving rhames was dissapointing.
Published 5 days ago by K. Nicholl
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant
Have never seen this film before - story line a bit feeble, but enjoy, enjoy, enjoy - I may have a soft spot for Mr Willis too
Published 1 month ago by Cleo Smith
4.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting Sci-FI action film: "Kil'n People" meets "I Robot"
This interesting and fast moving science fiction thriller is a bit like what you would get by taking a lighter version of David Brin's novel "Kil'n People but except that the... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Marshall Lord
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brucie in Sci Fi
This film reminds me a lot of i robot. With human beings using their surrogate selves to go out in public whilst keeping their human bodies safe inside closed doors. Read more
Published 4 months ago by mr kevin nunn
5.0 out of 5 stars
SURROGATES
CUSTOMER SERVICE GREAT... WORKS A TREAT AND FAST EFFICIENT SERVICE... GREAT PRICE, WOULD RECOMEND THIS TO ANYONE NEEDING ONE... THANKS
Published 5 months ago by RICHARD SCOBBIE
5.0 out of 5 stars
Surrogates
surrogates is a die hard, i robot cross. where People have robot copies of themselves created to be out in the world doing things their operator (their human selves) would find... Read more
Published 6 months ago by M. J. Mc Caffrey
3.0 out of 5 stars
Boring Into
I did not know why they put in a movie into that lasts for five minutes and about robots.
I also find out that good actor of Bruce Willis does not enter the flim until... Read more
I also find out that good actor of Bruce Willis does not enter the flim until... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Mr. L. C. Emmott
5.0 out of 5 stars
A very thought provoking film!
This film has not been a commercial success, and it's easy to see why! It is a depressing look at the shape of things to come. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Avid Reader
2.0 out of 5 stars
Who needs Botox?
There's a generally underwhelming tone to SURROGATES. Although far from being a bad movie it never really engages or realises its potential. Read more
Published 10 months ago by sft
1.0 out of 5 stars
Utter Rubbish
Over-egged cautionary tale cum police procedural masquerading as science fiction with the most wooly-minded ending imaginable that completely ignores just what the real... Read more
Published 11 months ago by michael
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