Review of Self/less (2015) by Gimly M — 27 Aug 2015

We've seen Ryan Reynolds in a variety of roles over the past few years in multiple genres. Super versatile, which I like. I've always been up on the guy. He delivers solid work on screen even when the scripts aren't quite up to par with his acting ability. He's evolved from the rom-coms to some action roles to science fiction and some drama and even a few thrillers.

With Self/Less, he dips his toe back into the syfy realm as the protagonist. The concept is quite clever. They place the consciousness of one man who's dying into the body of a younger man who's already "dead" so he can survive. The one movie that creeps into mind is "The Island". The rich get to stay rich and immortal while the people who don't quite have the means to take care of their loved ones sacrifice themselves for the cause.

Many gripes about the film was it turned into an action movie when it could have stayed the course of the first 45 minutes or so and been a psychological mind-f*** thriller. I am also in agreement with this assessment, however, the action wasn't 'lackluster' or 'disappointing'. It just cheapened what could have been a great movie.

Aside from straying into action, the ending doesn't really click with the viewer. While we get a decently developed background and idea for the kind of man Ben Kingsley is playing, the character Ryan Reynolds is before the transformation doesn't get the due attention to really make you want to see him succeed.

The ideas are there, but without any major twists and turns or any shocking moments, Self/Less keeps your heart at a nice, easy resting rate for the two hours.