2.7 The Adam Project

Directed by Shawn Levy and starring Ryan Reynolds, Mark Ruffalo, Zoe Saldaña and Walker Scobell, The Adam Project at it's core is a heart felt and touching take on the effects of time travel. What I liked most and felt work mostly in the films favour, was the specific approach and style they adopted when it came to the time travelling element in particular. We've seen time travel done multiple times now, across film and television so it's never new or revolutionary. But for sure what Ryan Reynolds, director Shawn Levy and writers Jonathan Trooper, T.S. Nowlin, Jennifer Flackett and Mark Levin have accomplished is a fun, enjoyable, action, adventure film filled with more moral messages and lessons than you might expect.

What I loved and took away from the film the most was those exact lessons and how in particular they used time travel in such a way to enable our characters to learn and develop in more meaningful ways than most. Often in time travel films you might see more cheesy or cliché, scenarios whereby like in Back to the Future, Marty McFly's mum ends up fancying him. However surprisingly, The Adam Project has a lot more wholesome and hearts as these conspire into even more and unlikely emotional beats. Which genuinely worked in the context and morals of not only the film but also it's characters as well. It's for sure a film for both the youth and families as a whole, with it's slick, exaggerated and expositional comedy balancing well with it's relaxing and fun action sequences. Those action sequences in particular, were surprisingly well crafted and choreographed as Shawn Levy did a great job of shooting them in such a way, so that they were still filled and complemented it's humorous, youthful tone.

As for it's performances well it's clear to see why Ryan Reynolds in particular was chosen, it marks the second time he's collaborated with director Shawn Levy after the success of Free Guy has spawned a whole host of rumors that the pair will soon, once again reunite for Deadpool 3. They brilliantly combine to create a film that acts as a leap into the past whilst also revelling in those common tropes and sci-fi concepts of the late 80s. But it's rather the epic adventure, action and important, heartfelt life lessons that make it sorely standout. Ryan Reynolds stars as fighter pilot Adam Reed, from a dystopian, futuristic 2050, who's stolen a time jet in order to escape back into the past and save the woman he loves. It's a seemingly simple and neat concept, that only begins to become greater and more complex, once he runs into his younger self.

His younger self is played by co-star, Walker Scobell who surprisingly is pretty likeable from the start and is suitably freaked out when first meeting his much older self. Soon enough however he comes around and thankfully it's not long until the two Adams are trading verbal blows and insults. It's best here, where you realise why Reynolds was casted, he's once again on complete top form, spitting out quick quips like there going out of fashion. When you come to realise he really hasn't changed much at heart. With his experience in a whole host of action, adventure, comedies coming through to submission perfectly as he brilliantly is able to reminisce at his much younger self's issue and annoyances. Whereas it's what the two do away from those exact interactions, which is most important and the films biggest take away. It's not just all the same from Reynolds, his character has a much more brutal take and subtle wariness that subsequently plays into his actions and morals, it's perfectly balanced with a more pensive and restrained performances that truly unearth and draws out the real story.

That Story in particular, is all about there Dad, played by the ever charismatic and loveable and Mark Ruffalo, as so often he's just easy to watch. He once again gives such a deep, heartfelt portrayal that allows to better unearth and bring to the surface the films true messages. At it's core The Adam Project is as much about reconciling his own, younger saving self, most as much as it is about saving the future, a neat but yet simple touch that does nothing but elevate the films story beyond just being a derogative, ordinary time traveling adventure. Its gives the film some much needed depth and drive, as Levy manages to brilliantly bring the script and story alive. To best showcase not only those important life lessons but rather also the families dynamic of reconciliation and touching moments of love and forgiveness. Walker Scobell, is yet another particular highlight, as to begin with, I was already swaying towards not enjoying his performance as much. His accent was little irritating to begin with, but I'd certainly never go as far to say it was unbearable, he in fact does and manages quite well to constantly deliver and dig into what makes young Adam tick. As well as gradually learning and realising his own flaws and faults along the way. It's the chemistry between both young and futuristic Adam that is perfectly balanced and subtly perfect, as they constantly exchange insults back and fourth. Which is truly inspiring and only makes you become a custom of loving these characters even further, whilst most importantly giving the film a humorous and witty edge. With future Adam learning and rediscovering what a true dork he use to be. In term Scobell holds his ground and instead opposite Reynolds, matches his trademark charisma, sharp and acerbic wit. I think it's always important to understand and give child actors an supposed level of slack, but his performance as a whole is just very likeable and enjoyable from the start. As both there personalities clash but also extend to the other characters, who also comment and point out there clear flaws and grievances.

It all feels very adventurous, playful and exaggerated, which is further extended and reflected in the films production design. As director Shawn Levy, walks a tight and intriguing line between both futuristic and comfortably retro, which probably should be expected from a director who's portfolio of work has brought us both Stranger Things and Free Guy. However the combining and marrying of these two very different styles works incredible well and only matches with what earlier parts of the film, have already accomplished and established. As so often these designs only ever enhance the spectacular and impressive actions sequences, that are furiously simple yet beautifully and brilliantly effective. With the films accompanying array of classic movie music, feeling something straight from James Gunn's Guardians of the Galaxy. With Levy so often able to get the absolute best out of Reynolds, whilst an also triumphant and sweeping score from Rob Simonson completes and only ever continues to match the ever so retro-futuristic feel that constantly punctuates this feel-good adventure.

Although for all it's charisma and charm, there are a few problems which I have with the film and they mainly come down to the CGI Effects on display and how varying they seem to be in quality and overall execution. They serve there purpose well and there are in particular elements in which I feel work more than great. However there are a few inconsistencies especially later on, when it comes to the rocky, slightly disturbing deep-fakes and what I presume to be de-aging effects of in particular one of the characters. Reason why I mention this in particular is even though, there in the movie for only a short amount of time, I feel there could of been so much more done and achieved to create at least an improved representation. Such as the hiring of possibly a younger character or just using the same actress twice and using extra elements such as hair, make-up and costume to create such a younger looking self. Or even shooting the sequence in such a way that the deep fake wasn't as visible for longer periods. However in the end it doesn't detract too much away from the story, or the other good and positive visuals on show. As there just seems to be something very special and unique about a big screen experience and basic thrill of seeing something new and exciting which is full of wish and fulfilment. Whilst combining an often beautiful visual spectacle with a lot of heart and meaning. As they pair to create and make the movie feel and offer a real, full package. As so often the movies that inspired both Reynolds and Levy alike, greatly combined both fulfilment, spectacle along with action and adventure, as they both later commented how personal it felt to finally make such a movie.

With The Adam Project often separating itself away from other, conventional norms due to it being mainly a Time travel movie about saving yourself, rather than the world. Even though that's there main goal, the ever lasting impact come the credits, is not they saved the world. But rather instead they saved themselves and made each other better people for themselves, but mostly importantly those around them. Whilst The Adam Project is Levy's subsequent thirteenth movie as a filmmaker, it gave him the chance to bring to life visuals that he'd never once tried, done or seen before. As he landed and wanted a certain, particular visual spectacle, in terms of both action and setting. To best help accomplish the mostly great Visuals in the movie, the projects VFX team created such a program, much to Levy's desire, to enable him to visualise and better understand the set and sequences themselves, in the mostly blue screen environment. As well as what those exact shots would look like post-production. Another very unique and interesting element, that only further added to the films design and feel was the Sorian design language. Which combined very particular and unique patterns that were created and originated from a small design firm, Levy discovered himself in Australia called Super Vixen. They were relatively, a design company the world that hadn't yet known about. Making it the perfect opportunity to incorporate new, unique and fresh ideas when it came specifically, to the look and design of the weaponry and spacecraft. They created such designs that feel familiar enough so they don't look abnormal but yet still unique and interesting enough to keep audiences engaged and surprised.

Personally I think they were able to strike and achieve the right balance and line between both practical and digital effects, the film seemingly gets the best results, in those actions sequences especially, when you see perfectly the marriage between those two declines come together.

On the surface for many it would simply appear, that The Adam Project is yet another simply cheesy and exaggerated attempt at hooking us back to the ever so popular and nostalgia of the 80s. Whereas instead the action-packed sci-fi, adventure is something straight out of many childhood memoires and dreams, with it sure aiming and definitely resonating with a particular set of viewers. Thankfully however if your able to see past that, then your for sure more likely to be entertained, understand and see it's deeper and much more driven core, as The Adam Project is rather a story about forgiveness, morals and most notably reconciliation. With it perfectly and subtly depicting the idea and challenges of facing our past as well as coming to terms with the life we've inevitably led and choices we've made. Although it incredibly combines both thoughtful wittiness and comedy, what I personally took away the most, was it's harder hitting lessons and morals. Whereas still at the films main core and heart, The Adam Project is an deeply emotional and thoughtful action, adventure. The idea of re-meeting your own self and history with that added power of empathy, struggle and understanding that our characters have since experienced within there current self makes The Adam Project so rich and meaningful. Whilst doing that with time travel, hilarious comedy and compelling action only makes for a better, more enjoyable viewing experience. For many The Adam Project is a suspiring take on time travel and perfectly balances and combines both action with some real heart-felt truths and interest family dynamics and themes of reconciliation and forgiveness. That stick with you long after the rolling credits. 3.5/5 Stars