Suspenseful thriller, fascinating drama and sci-fi action all integrated into one ambitiously entertaining "Déjà Vu"

Rating: 8/10 (3 December 2006)

It's heartwarming to know that the film was shot on location in New Orleans post-Katrina. "Déjà Vu" directed by Tony Scott with Denzel Washington in the lead role is 100% entertaining - top notch delivery all round vs. the disappointing/misleading "Happy Feet" rates only 50% - dazzling animation with musical numbers but poor story (in spite of #1 box office three weeks in a row).
A hint to enjoy viewing "Déjà Vu" is to 'shadow' Denzel Washington's character Doug, ATF agent - just stay close to him and you won't be lost. Be fascinated by the space-time travel aspects at the 'time window lab' presented to you/Doug. Suspend your disbelief and you'll follow the plot with excitement and anticipation. A sci-fi fan or not, you'll be caught up with the pace that Doug is traveling, or his mind which is constantly thinking/rethinking, dissecting/searching for evidence, next steps - it's a ride you want to hold on to till the very end. It is human drama after all and you will be content. There are sprinkling of clues here and there if you should recall (but not essential) - loose strings will be gathered and you'll somehow get to understand/put together. Dashes of subtle humor we're given, too (for instance, "we once held hands" so Doug casually said) - it'd bring a smile and quickly we're transported to the next point. Hang in there with Denzel/Doug and a great time you'd spend guaranteed.
Distributed by Touchstone Pictures, this is a Jerry Bruckheimer with Scott Free productions. Third time collaboration for director Tony Scott and star Denzel Washington (previously 'Crimson Tide' 1995, 'Man On Fire' 2004). Tight script co-written by Bill Marsilii and Terry Rossio (who's also co-executive producer), with matching, enhancing score by Harry Gregson-Williams. Of course, the visual/special effects, explosives and chase scenes are challengingly striking, especially the 'time warp' vehicular sequences. (Washington's role and his air reminds me of his acting in d- Gregory Hoblit's "Fallen" 1998.) Jim Caviezel gave us a devilish heartless villain (yes, quite a departure from the sacred role in d- Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ" 2004). I appreciate the two woman roles: Paula Patton as Claire playing opposite Washington and Caviezel with comparable energy and spunk; Erika Alexander as Shanti sitting there equally with her other colleagues (Val Kilmer, Adam Goldberg, Elden Hensen) at the time window lab - cool, how she describes the branching theory.
Should you be interested in absorbing more about the 'fabric of space-time folding,' 'wormhole,' 'string theory,' visit the official site 'dejavu.movies.go.com' - click on 'About' tab and you can download the full production notes PDF file. (On page 8, physicist-consultant Dr. Greene explained in simplified terms about time travel, parallel universes, including the bit about seeing yourself in the mirror, that "you are actually looking at yourself as you existed 16 nanoseconds ago" ).
We may have time travel, time warp movies before: d- Robert Zemekis' ever popular "Back to the Future" 1985, d- Peter Hyam's cop thriller "Timecop" 1994 (with Jean-Claude Van Demme), but "Déjà Vu" is special in that the production made the city of New Orleans, its people and landscapes very much 'a character in the film.' At the end credits, it's thoughtfully included that the film is dedicated to the strength and enduring spirit of the people of New Orleans.