Movie Review: Deja Vu (2006)

Synopsis: When a terrorist blows up a ferry in New Orleans, ATF Agent Doug Collins is called in to help with the investigation. He discovers a link between the bombing and a murdered woman, Claire Kuchever, and his detective skills earn him an invite to join a team using a new technology that lets them see 4 days and 6 hours into the past. At first, the use of the technology is about finding clues to help them find the killer. However, Collins soon realizes the technology might allow them to change the past and save lives.

Who's in it? The movie stars Denzel Washington, Paula Patton, Val Kilmer, Jim Caviezel and Adam Goldberg.

Review: My wife and I finished watching another movie last night and, when Deja Vu came on right after, decided to just leave it on. At first, the film seemed like it had an intriguing plot but after watching it, I came away feeling like it just wasn't as good as it could have been.

As I told my wife, I think this would have worked better as a television series or miniseries than it did as a movie. There is a whole lot that is crammed into the 2-hour runtime, and as a result of that, the movie really doesn't have time to explain the technology better or properly debate the implications and ethics once they realize there is a way to influence past events.

This is especially true when the movie becomes about time travel and not just seeing into the past. Between the overlapping timelines, the possible paradoxes and the potential to alter the future in a way you don't want to alter it, anyone who has ever seen Back to the Future or watched Doctor Who knows it's not as simple as Collins (Washington) was making it seem.

Of course, the thing that bothered me most about this movie had to be Collins' actions after traveling back in time. All he literally had to do after saving Claire (Patton) was make a phone call and warn the authorities ahead of time. Instead, he waits until the bomb is on the ship and the boat is already on the water with passengers and tries to save the day himself. There was zero logic to that other than it's a movie.

Final Opinion: It's an intriguing concept but, as I mentioned, not one that really works in a movie setting just because it's too complex. A lot of the film felt rushed or forced as a result. 

My Grade: C-

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