Push (2009)

User Review

• 

  TheMovieDiorama

  5 / 10

  Push ironically pushes you away from its hyperactive style. A superhero film with a directing style that emulates the frenetic energy of Boyle. McGuigan's Push is all style and no substance, which frustrates me. It had the ability to explore its psychic premise to create something innovative. Alas, it conforms to a formulaic dull plot that becomes too convoluted for its own good. In a world where different types of psychics exist, an agency tracking these unique individuals develop a boosting drug to which one person successfully adapts to it. The second dosage is hidden in a case, and it's up to two psychics to find it before The Division and Chinese triads. Sova's cinematography and McGuigan's directing technique does elevate the stylistic approach that somewhat differentiates this entry from the saturated genre. The bright visceral colours of urban Hong Kong heighten the various psychic abilities that these subjects withhold. Foreseeing the future (Watchers), telekinetics (Movers), implanting memories (Pushers) and many many more which are explained during the five minute expositional introduction. The overuse of clairvoyancy results in a narrative that heavily relies on foreshadowing, and roughly halfway through, becomes tedious as the plot convolutes itself. Knowing what will happen constantly does not excite viewers. It doesn't pull you in. An elaborate plan is then set up to confuse other "Watchers" by hiding instructions in envelopes and...urgh, really? Twenty minutes of this ridiculously low paced segment? This does highlight Push's weakness, and that is the pacing. Starts off strong with loud kinetic energy bursting through the story. The characters and their relationships are presented well in McGuigan's grungy style, almost reminiscent to films like 'Run Lola Run'. And then seemingly the script runs out of ideas, unable to explore the differing psychic abilities in exciting ways. Expositional dialogue, unimaginative storytelling and a distractingly boisterous soundtrack. These elements just push the audience away and turns a decent superhero flick into watchable mediocrity.

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