5/10

I can’t quite remember a time when the on-screen actions of a movie served as a metaphor so closely to what affected the movie negatively. That’s not to say that ‘Self/Less’ is a terrible film, it’s alright, but it’s scientific reach exceeds realistic grasp during a third act that rushes itself, leaving many sloppy plot holes for the rules that the film has built for itself. When an extremely wealthy man (Ben Kingsley) dying from cancer undergoes a radical medical procedure that transfers his consciousness into the body of a healthy young man (Ryan Reynolds), all is not as it seems when he starts to uncover the mystery of the body’s origin and the secret organization that will kill to protect its cause. For the first two acts of the film, i greatly enjoyed what Director Tarsem Singh (The Cell) conjured up creatively and artistically on camera. Like his other films, there is a certain colorful and rich background scheme that enhances the film’s personality, granting an almost futuristic spell over his audience. The editing is among some of the very best that i have seen this year, but it’s in his storytelling that the film begins to fall apart. Let’s be honest, the premise of one machine hooking up to another is something that we have seen in child cartoons that we grew up watching. It takes a big leap of believability from it’s audience from the begining of the movie. From there it only questions your investment even more. When Ben Kinglsey turns into Ryan Reynolds, the movie too decides to change it’s emotional undertones from an inventive sci-fi soul swapping thriller, to an overstuffed climax riding the coat tails of a generic action film that never fully makes the most out of it’s likable cast and promising ideas. The things that the film has going for it are perhaps the biggest letdown in a movie that fumbles it’s way to the finish. The action in the movie is choreographed well, but my problem is that it doesn’t fit with the tones cast by the rest of the film. Ben Kingsley’s family is forgotten, and i think that this particular backstory with having to say goodbye could’ve played wonders for quite the tearjerker, a rarity for Singh’s filmography. Instead, the film decides to coast so slow down the same road. There are some minor plot twists along the way, but nothing that ever feels worth the time spent in script to get there. It took me more than halfway into the film to realize that it had already reached it’s emotional peak, and it wasn’t going to get any better from this point forward. Despite these problems, the cast gives it their all in trying to take this often times empty shell of a movie and instill some life into it. Reynolds and Kingsley make the most out of their role, even if it seems impossible to peg them as the same person. It was also great to see Matthew Goode receive another villainous turn. His history as one of Hollywood’s most dependable craftsmen in films that are beneath him, reveals a megastar in the making. He could easily be the Gary Sinise of this generation. I wish that ‘Self/less’ could’ve been selfish and taken more risks in a script just itching for some creativity. They were given the floor to craft some one of a kind ideas for science, as well as the consciousness that comes with life after death, but instead the film lays still yearning for a better finale to bring it back. If you watch this one, rent it on DVD. I think it certainly will have it’s audience, but it’s a true test for anyone struggling with insomnia.