Seen on: February 7, 2009

The players: Director: Paul McGuigan, Writer: David Bourla, Cast: Chris Evans, Dakota Fanning, Camilla Belle, Cliff Curtis, Djimon Hounsou

Facts of interest: McGuigan also directed "Wicker Park."

The plot: Three individuals with special powers are on the run from a ruthless government agency with evil intentions.

Our quick thoughts: In Paul McGuigan’s sci-fi thriller “Push,” three individuals with great powers are on the run from a ruthless government agency trying to capture and turn them into deadly weapons. But what sounds like a film filled with awesome action and suspense is in reality not as captivating as I originally thought.

I walked into “Push” expecting an explosive experience with plenty of surprises, and although the film boasts a bunch of solid twists, its main story line remains rather ordinary for the most part. The introduction of the characters is quite enjoyable to watch, but the plot quickly settles into a monotonous cat-and-mouse game between good and evil.

Clocking in at 111 minutes, McGuigan’s film is a tad too long, as evidenced by a slowing pace after its strong start. Unfortunately, it is not until the final act that the movie recuperates by delivering a visually interesting and action-packed showdown on top of a Hong Kong skyscraper. I admit that one really amused me.

The central characters’ powers are clearly more fascinating than their personalities, and the cast members succeed in making the best out of what the script gives them to work with. Chris Evans plays a telekinetic “mover,” Dakota Fanning can see the future, and Camilla Belle possesses the ability to force thoughts into people’s minds.

Freaky quote: “See if you can push me before I pull the trigger." – Chris Evans

The final word: “Lucky Number Slevin,” McGuigan’s previous flick, featured just as many twists as “Push,” but I admit the former’s fast-paced plot intrigued me a little more than the latter’s. That said, “Push” looks pretty good for a film with a small budget, and part of it is indeed quite enjoyable to watch.

Article by Franck Tabouring