Surrogates – Blu-ray Review

The Film:

As we continue our existence into the future, the relationship between mankind and technology is getting blurred. Our phones have the capabilities of a computer, the need to interact with physical interaction via social networking sites are increasingly taking over our daily functions, yet when it comes right down to it, technology in all its splendor in aiding our lives, will most likely lead to our inevitable destruction. This idea has sprung many writers and filmmakers to take a stab at analyzing it through the science-fiction genre. One of the great things about that genre, is one is pretty free to do whatever,  but some of the better examples craft a possible alternative future for us, and in the science-fiction realm, that is always a bleak outlook.

Surrogates is a crafty, let undercooked science-fiction film. It has a great idea, superb direction from an under-appreciated Jonathan Mostow (U-571), but it’s too short, as some more minutes could have fleshed out some ideas and subplots, to give Surrogates a little more meat to its bones. Like all science-fiction films, it’s set in a not-so-distant future, as people now use these perfectly controlled surrogates for every day functions, as they relax from their homes, safe and sound. The invention of these surrogates was met with different opinions, yet they became affordable and accepted by the general public. One of the boons from this was that crime, specifically murder decline so far it felt like a thing of the past. But when the son of the surrogates creator was killed, it revealed a deadly link that could disrupt the world as we know it.

Getting back to this idea that the film has, Surrogates is pretty interesting in that regard. These surrogates feel like social networking sites revamped to a new level of interaction, as people still stay at home, lying down with these headsets on, but still can interact with everyone and thing in the real world. This brings up one of the common issues with social sites, and with the surrogates in the movie, is that interacting is a physical and human emotion that needs to be done face-to-face. Again, as we get older, this merger of technology and ourselves blurs the line on what is reality. It’s an awesome idea, that combined with the film’s stellar action set pieces (a Mostow specialty), and the murder investigation plot, all in 88 minutes, really stresses the film’s focus. If it was just a crime noir film, the lean running time might have worked, but we get this subplot of the creator’s agenda for the surrogates that feels tacked on. I think many will be more interested in the film’s future and action, but when it all comes down to it, Surrogates is a decent film, a case of the “almost”, as it delivers a decent time for sci-fi junkies.

The Blu-ray:

Audio/Video: Buena Vista delivers another stellar presentation. The video is superb, but realize some things that could be viewed as flaws, aren’t Mostow’s aesthetics, not the fault of the transfer. At its best, the transfer shines with bright colors, rich textures, and ink level blacks. It’s no surprise that I’m praising another Buena Vista release, as they are usually the best on the market. What some people might consider faults, are the soft shots at times during scenes at the Dreads camp or the wax looking faces of the surrogates. Remember the director’s intent.

The DTS audio track explodes literally. The bass is off the charts, the sound design for the speakers are well-placed and engulfs you into the film. If anything, the sound design to the film is top-notch.

Commentary: Jonathon Mostow goes solo for this track, but that’s a-okay, as he is very insightful and talkative. He analyzing his adaptation from the graphic novel to the film in its differences, the design of the film, and special effects. While he does describe the on-screen action, something that might irritate some audio commentary fans, this is a great resource material for film fans and blossoming directors.

A More Perfect You-The Science of the Surrogates: The film’s crew and stars, along with some experts talk about the merging technology in our daily lives, and things that could lead to a world like in this film. It runs 15 minutes, in HD, and should be right up many sci-fi fans alley.

Breaking the Frame: Fans of the Top Shelf comic series, will like this piece. It runs all-too-brief, but it has interviews with the creators and discussions about the series. Runs 7 minutes, in HD.

Deleted Scenes: Minus the effects that weren’t finished, these four scenes expand of few of the film’s ideas. Worth a look, actually.In HD.

A music video from Breaking Benjamin rounds out the extras.

Conclusion: Surrogates is worth a look, but many will agree that it needs more to it. The Buena Vista Blu-ray is superb, however.

The Film: Rating:

The Blu-ray: Rating: