Review of Freejack (1992) by Ola G — 15 Oct 2014

In the year 2009, the super-wealthy gain immortality by hiring so-called "bonejackers" - i.e., mercenaries who use time travel technology to snatch people from the past, just prior to their deaths. Their bodies are then taken over by the rich to extend their lives. Those who escape bonejacking, known as "freejacks," are considered less than human under the law. In this dystopic future, most people suffer from poor physical health as a result of rampant drug use and environmental pollution, making them unattractive as replacement bodies. Alex Furlong (Emilio Estevez) is a professional race car driver who is about to die in a spectacular 1991 crash, witnessed by his fiancée Julie Redlund (Rene Russo) and agent Brad (David Johansen), when a time machine snatches him from the car and into the wasteland that is the 21st century Bronx. When Furlong's captors - led by mercenary Victor Vacendak (Mick Jagger) - are ambushed by a hit squad, Furlong escapes. Having no idea what happened, he tries to find Julie, but she no longer lives at her 1991 address. He takes shelter at a church, where a sympathetic (and well-armed) nun (Amanda Plummer) explains what has happened to him. She also provides him with clothing, food and a pistol. Furlong finds his former agent Brad, but Brad immediately sells him out, getting killed in the process. He then finds Julie, but she calls security, believing him to be "the bastard who stole [Furlong's] body." When Vacendak shows up, she realizes that Furlong is actually her Furlong. She goes to her boss Ian McCandless (Anthony Hopkins) to try and help Furlong escape the city. McCandless promises that he will help secure Alex's escape. However, it is a trap - Vacendak and his men try again to capture Furlong, but he manages to defeat the mercenaries and holds Vacendak at gunpoint. Furlong demands that he be told who wants his body; Vacendak finally tells him that McCandless himself wants Furlong's body...

"Freejack" is a 1992 science fiction film, and upon its release in the United States, the film received mostly negative reviews. The story was adapted from Immortality, Inc., a 1959 novel by Robert Sheckley. I saw this at the movies in 1992 and it was a poor movie then and it´s a poor movie now. The storyline is somewhat ok, but it´s the production that is just bad. It´s quite obvious here that Emilio Estevez has never been a very good actor and he simply can´t carry the leading part. Whoever came up with the idea of putting Mick Jagger in the role of Vacendak, was not in his clear mind... The poor effects, green screens and general scenery adds to the b-movie feeling. And on top of this is the silly outfits, silly cars, Julie´s bodyguard running around with a small samurai sword etc etc. All this crappy details just adds up to a large pile of dung. The only positive thing with "Freejack" is the beautiful and talented Rene Russo.