REVIEW: So, does Justin Timberlake bring sexy back to the cinema? In a way, yes he does, but not completely. You’ve got to hand it to these film makers taking a gamble on Justin to lead this movie. Did they really think he could carry it? Well, he does come close, but he is still a little rough. His performance at times was pretty good and at others was pretty cheesy and weak, kind of like the movie itself as a whole. There were just too many unimpressive moments in the film too overlook. It does have very impressive moments as well though, enough to make the movie worthwhile to watch but don’t expect it to blow you away. The concept is excellent and probably the best aspect of this film. The sexiness is found in the look and feel of it. It blends retro, current, and futuristic looks in a balanced way such that none of them is overpowering. I especially got a kick from the classic automobiles such as pristine 70s Dodge Challengers and Lincoln limousines running on 100% electric engines. There is also an abundance of sexiness in the cast. JT looks good, but of course for my particular tastes Olivia Wilde and Amanda Seyfried looked better. Olivia was spot on but her role was too small. I would have preferred to see her more involved. Amanda was as sharp in her performance as she was with her mesmerizing looks in this film. She paired up very well with Justin. One of the better performances was given by Cillian Murphy. He is very good at being cold and intimidating.

To say that this film is making a socio-political statement is an understatement. The plot is based on the separation of social classes via the concept of survival of the fittest, or richest. The interesting twist of course is that the main commodity is time not money which brings to life the old saying, time is money. Well, in this case it is quite literal. The movie does have a decent amount of action and thrills but it also has its share of cheesiness and corniness. Justin tries to present a character who seems to be a mix of Robin Hood and James Bond, but he is no Russell Crowe or Daniel Craig. I will give him a “B” for effort though. Part of the problem with this film is the lack of depth in the characters. You don’t get a good chance to understand their background or connect to their respective motivations. And although the concept is good, the storyline could have been better than what it is. Director Andrew Niccol has some good work under his belt not only as director but as a writer and producer as well. For example, he wrote and directed Gattaca, S1mOne, and Lord of War. This production falls nicely in place but I wouldn’t say it’s his best work.

Review By Cine Marcos 
cinemarcos@smartcine.com