If you feel you're being pushed....push back!
 Jul 9th, 2009
Advantages:
Some clever plot twists and effects
Disadvantages:
Overall disappointment
Recommendable:
Yes
Detailed rating:
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Characters / Performances
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About me:
Okay, so now I want to move to Canada!!!
Member since:07.11.2005
Reviews:419
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Review rated by 27 Ciao members on average: very helpful 
Push is a curious take on the notion of superheroes, constructing a government driven operation, known as Division, designed to enhance powers of telekinesis in the aim of creating a super army. This, at least, is the platform upon which this episode is based, as we are introduced to the varying powers the characters possess. There are Pushers, who can control and alter people's minds. This is probably the most impressive powers. Then there are Movers, who can use kinetic energy to move objects. The last of the three main powers focused upon are the Watchers, can can see the future, and its changes as they happen. There are others, such as Shadows, who can isolate someone and protect them against characters such as Sniffers, who are essentially those who can track anyone, anywhere.
So, what does all this mean? Well, the story follows Mover Nick (Chris Evans) and Watcher Cassie (Dakota Fanning), who come together more through prophecy than anything else, and must search for Pusher Kira (Camilla Belle), Division's only successful experiment whose powers have been enhanced by an injection. Kira is on the run, and has taken with her a syringe containing the Division's formula for power enhancement. Division is represented in this film by Pusher Henry Carver (Djimon Hounsou) and his sidekick Mover Victor (Neil Jackson). They make for powerful and formidable villains, and the contrast is well made between the opposing sides, as well as the Chinese contingent of those with 'powers', as they attempt to acquire the powerful formula. The film is set among the back streets of a Chinese city, although specifics are never really mentioned. The settings are visually striking, and while this is definitely a sort of superhero film, it goes against the grain of the usual fist pumping macho genre and gives us a stylish and thought-provoking visual film.
However, this does mean that those seeking loads of action will probably find this a bit slow going, and the action scenes, when they do happen, aren't as convincing as they could be. I wasn't hugely impressed with the pace of the film, and at times it was very confusing. However, once you get the gist of it, and start to understand the setup, following Dakota Fanning's far too brief background narrative at the beginning of the film, there are actually some very clever plot twists. Not knowing what is going to happen next, but also knowing that there are characetrs who can see the future, makes it quite a tense matter, and some of the special effects in the final scenes are very effective. However, I couldn't help feel that there was something missing. These Hollywood blockbusting Summer superhero films are occasionally slated for being too much about the action, but this does hide the fact that superhero films in general, and anything related to 'powers', tend to have rather weak plots, as the main focus has to be on the characters in order for us as viewers to understand the people involved. This is somewhat the case in Push, and I felt that at times, the balance of the film just wasn't impressive enough.
When the film ended, I was rather nonplussed, to be honest. I felt it had much more to give, and definitely left things quite open, with stated intentions by some of the characters leaving possibilites for a sequel should anyone decide to pursue it. However, I rather feel a lot will depend on the success of this as it gathers momentum on the DVD shelves now it has hit the shops. To be honest, it's not the sort of film I am likely to buy, and wouldn't really worry about watching it again. There were no extras on the copy we acquired through Blockbuster's delivery rental, and we're on a free trial for a month, so price wise, I couldn't comment from my own experience. Would I be happy if I had bought it for over £10 from a shop to watch? Probably not.
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by (4%):
15.07.2009 11:22
Sounds disapointing- great review! x
12.07.2009 01:14
I normally like films like this but this wasn't very memorable. I struggled to remember what this was and that I'd seen it until part way into your review.
11.07.2009 02:15
good review..