Surrogates

Based on Robert Venditti's graphic novel, "Surrogates" is a disappointing sci-fi movie that includes a few energetic chase sequences. Gamers may take a better liking since its premise is based on one billion surrogate people interacting socially, and anti-socially, as the physical embodiment of the home-bound "meatbag" (human) wearing headset glasses to experience his or her surrogate in action in the outside world. Richard Marvin's music feels like a temp score waiting to be replaced by compositions written specifically for the film. The dialogue is bland, and the action spotty in a truncated story about Bruce Willis's Thomas Greer, a family man attempting to investigate a rare murder. Radha Mitchell does a lot with a little as Greer's cohort Jennifer Peters. Jennifer is a surrogate, and as such is the cause of much dramatic action entailing some shoddy special effects and silly plot points. In its current form, "Surrogates" could serve as the seed for a great sci-fi satire that a director like Paul Verhoeven could succeed with, given the ability to rewrite the screenplay. If you keep your expectations low, there are some sci-fi pleasures of visual appeal to be had, but it's tough getting past director Jonathan Mostow's wet noodle brand of storytelling.
Rated PG-13. 104 mins. (C-) (Two Stars)