Deja Vu (www.the-usher.com)

"We can save her"

When a terrorist attack on the New Orleans' ferry kills over five hundred people, ATF agent Doug Carlin (Washington) is called in assist the FBI in the investigation. After a body is washed up, away from the incident, Carlin is intrigued the young woman and discovers that she might just hold the key to cracking the case. This brings him to the attention of Agent Andrew Pryzwarra (Kilmer), who works for a top-secret scientific branch of the FBI. He reveals to him that they have developed the technology to look back four and a half days into the past and they need him to piece to together how this tragic and devastating event happened but Carlin thinks they can go one step further and prevent it from happening.

Denzel Washington, Jerry Bruckheimer and Tony Scott join forces again for another action extravaganza but do you get the feeling we have seen it all before?

A big star, the most successful producer working today and a director who really knows how to film action with a visual flair come together to bring us an action movie with a science fiction twist. A terrorist attack on a New Orleans' ferry brings all of the US security agents to the scene in an effort to track down the people responsible. The good news is that, while this is another terrorism movie it isn't your typical Middle Eastern threat that attacks American democracy again. This is an internal attack and one of anger against the US system.

The tracking down of the murderer of over five hundred people involves FBI, Homeland Security and almost every other law enforcement agency in the area. That also includes ATF (Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives) agent Doug Carlin, who also worked on the Okalahoma bombing. He has the expertise to look at the scene and see a little more than your average investigator. He can also make connections between the most innocuous pieces of evidence and form conclusions that could make headway in the case. This brings Carlin to the attention of a special scientific department of the FBI. They have their own methods of the working on the case and one that will bring the perpetrator to justice.

This may sound like your usual action thriller premise but it is the special way of investigating a crime scene that makes this premise slightly different from the rest. The special scientific department of the FBI has developed a device that allows them to see four and a half days into the past and it is Carlin theory that they plan to watch in the hope of catching the person behind the attack. His investigation involves the discovery of Claire Kuchever's body in the Mississippi, a woman who wasn't on the ferry. As they watch her life four days earlier, they realise that Carlin is right and it is her who has contact with the terrorist and her that is pivotal to the case.

The science element of the film is far-fetched and full of techno-babble as the scientists try and explain how the mechanism works but it works as a plot device. This could have easily made the film little more than a high concept thriller if it wasn't for the presence of Denzel Washington. One of the best actors of his generation, Denzel's presence makes the film a compulsive watch. His performance as Doug Carlin might not gain him any award nominations but he brings some more to a character that allows you to connect with him instantly and because of that, you are drawn into the story.

His support is also good. A rather larger looking Val Kilmer is good as Agent Andrew Pryzwarra. Jim Caviezel is suitable menacing as terrorist Carroll Oerstadt. Bruce Greenwood brings a little bit of class to movie as special agent Jack McCready. It is Paula Patton who makes the biggest splash however. As victim Claire Kuchever, she gets the chance to shine and show that she has the potential to be a big star.

Successfully mixing the action thriller and science fiction genres, with Denzel Washington having fun this is a movie that might not stick with you for a long time after watching it but it might pop into your might ever now and again. 'Déjà Vu' will feel familiar but it will keep you enthralled to the very end.

PICTURE & SOUND

Presented in Anamorphic Widescreen 2.35:1 with Dolby Digital 5.1, the movie is presented well.

BONUS FEATURES

Surveillance Window (31.04 mins)
With sections entitled 'The Ferry Explosion', 'Developing the character of Doug Carlin', 'Makeup, wardrobe and Special Effects', 'The Surveillance Window', 'Cameras of Déjà Vu', 'Split tome Car Chase', 'The Team: Tony, Jerry and Denzel' and 'Stunts: Compound & Ferry' with contributions from director Tony Scott, executive producers Jerry Bruckheimer and Mike Stenson, writer Bill Marsilii, special effect coordinator Joe Pancake, costume designer Ellen Mirojnick, stunt coordinator Chuck Picerni and stars Denzel Washington, Paula Patton, Jim Caviezel and Val Kilmer, these featurettes can be viewed either at relevant parts of the movie or individually. Watching the surveillance window also allows you to watch the movie with a commentary track with director Tony Scott, executive producer Jerry Bruckheimer and writer Terry Rossio. By mixing the featurettes with the movie and commentary, this is a new way to view the movie.

Extended Scene (1.20 mins)
Entitled 'Extended Ferry Aftermath', this scene has optional commentary by director Tony Scott.

Trailer
Preview of 'Invincible'

OVERALL

The integration of featurettes, commentary and the movie mean that you can watch the film in a completely different way, making it more enjoyable from a technical point of view. The commentary is extremely good and the featurette reveal everything you need to know about the film's production. Again this is a Tony Scott movie with some extremely good extras.

DVD

Man on Fire

The Usher Home | Hush, Hush... | The Big Story | The Usher Speaks

Stuck @ Home | Coming Soon | Links | Contact the Usher

2006