Surrogates

This sci-fi film is about the dangerous trend of impersonal relationship ushered in by technology. People don’t interact in normal day-to-day activities anymore. They are brainwashed by companies to use their exact look-alike surrogates to maintain their public life while they sit at home.

However, when surrogate creator Dr Lionel Canter’s (Cromwell) son is murdered, things take a new turn. FBI agent Tom Greer (Willis) and his partner are ordered to probe the case. The two agents also use their ‘surries’ to track down the killer but when Tom’s surry is destroyed, the real ‘him’ is forced to venture out of his home to the streets.
The general theme is a fight against surrogate technology led by ‘The Prophet’ (Rhames) and to free humans from its clutches. Using a graphically greenish set-up, director Jonathan Mostow tries hard to bring forth man’s blind acceptance of machines and its dangers. There are some brilliant action sequences in addition to the artistic impression of the surrogate of Bruce Willis’ look.

However, the film lacks a tight plot and twists become predictable after the first half. There are also many rooms that need a little more attention. For instance, the reason behind Tom’s failing relationship with his wife after the death of their son is sapless.
The motivational message that humans need direct and personal relationship is perhaps the only reason that drives this soulless and shallow take on human dependency on technology.