Review of Eyeborgs (2009) by Mervin J — 21 Jan 2011

Nice blend of sci-fi/conspiracy/thriller. The acting is cheesy as all hell, but it stays engaging. Eyeborgs' action sequences are fun, sound and visual effects are polished, and it delivers a pretty thought-provoking plot with a (accidentally??) tongue-in-cheek tone.

In a day and age where the gov't has made our business their business, where do they draw the line between surveillance/protection and infringing on our privacy and freedom? Would they go so far as to enforce their brand of 'liberty' through a network of cybernetic stool pigeons, who would just as soon waste an innocent, as kill a common theif, in the name of anti-terrorism?

The Eyeborgs keep everyone guessing till the end. A Homeland Security agent, a gutsy news reporter, and a lowly rock guitarist all tangle with the bots to unravel the mystery of just why citizens are mysteriously dying or disappearing with no alarm from a government sworn to protect their safety. They move the story along fairly well. However, throughout the film the main character, Jared, can't seem to make up his mind whether he's anarchist-punk with a point to prove, or an afflicted emo kid caught in the middle of a terror war. A hero he is not--not even accidental--Not once, while his loved ones are being wasted one by one, does he get the guts to fight back. Maybe all his prowess is in his fingers.

The movie culminates in a race to save the President from a terrorist attack during election debates, and the climax is quite satisfying. If you can ignore the labored line deliveries and the 'wtf' factor of Jared's purple hair, you can stick it out till the end.