Starring: Chris Evans, Camilla Belle, Jeremy Northam, Dakota Fanning and Djimon Housou
Distributor: Independent
Runtime: 111 mins. Reviewed in Nov 2011
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The X Men films, The Matrix films and Asian martial arts films have all had their influence on trends in action shows as well as offering some kind of broadly mystical atmosphere. This is definitely the case with Push, one of those science-fiction fantasies that draws on all kinds of other films and does not quite make it to the level of itself being a film that will have an influence. For one thing, it is not always so easy to follow and with an assortment of characters who spend a lot of time chasing each other and employing different powers to elude capture, nodding off could be a comprehension hasard (although one of the Hong Kong agents has the power of squealing/screaming to burst eardrums).
What makes it more complicated to follow is that some of the powers are contradictory. Some people can see the future. Others can implant imagination and false memories, so one has to be alert as to what might be happening to the hero (Chris Evans) who is in love with a woman who seems to be the victim of the organisation that is experimenting with these powers (Camilla Belle) but who may also be an agent who willingly submitted to experiments. (Come to think of it, this is quite like the plot of the film, Cypher, with Jeremy Northam). Then there is a young girl (Dakota Fanning) who can see some of the future and draws it (not very artistically) and who is being pursued by Chinese agents and a boss (Djimon Housou).
That was an attempt to clarify – but it may not do the trick!
Otherwise, most of the action is set in Hong Kong and the actors do their best and the special effects team have a field day.
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