A film with potential shoots itself in the foot

Rating: 6/10 (4 July 2011)

If you're looking for a film that is different, a little out there, and plenty of fun then Deja Vu is the film for you. Denzel Washington stars as an ATF agent who is investigating the tragic bombing of a New Orleans ferry. In order to track the bomber down Washington is introduced to a top secret government technology that allows him to view the past. When Washington draws connections between the bombing and the murder of a young woman he starts to watch her past as it unfolds the mystery in a smart yet fairly far-fetched film.
Deja Vu heavily demands the suspension of disbelief. The film starts out pretty clever with this super secret technology that transcends time and space. The movie tries very hard to explain this technology and there are points where you just can't buy it. It is undeniably ridiculous at times but watching this unbelievable technology at work in the film is pretty fun. The whole film is fun, it just demands a lot of slack because it can be too much at times. But I have to give the film props for making a more or less coherent story out of this far fetched and fairly unique idea. And there is a nice amount of movie magic at work here because the film is loaded with good actors. These actors portray characters that believe in what is going on, and it allows us to believe it as well.
The sad thing about this film is that despite any brains it has, it ends up shooting itself in the foot by being a formulaic and clichéd action flick. It has the familiar action movie score that doesn't stir any kind of emotion and is sort of just there to add some fat to the film. Tony Scott's jumpy cuts in his direction are more obnoxious than thrilling and overall it has that action film feel to it that is just too typical for me to enjoy much. It is a feeling that is hard to put into entirely into words, but anybody can recognize it once they see the music, direction, and script come together. And of course with any below average action flick Deja Vu has a very weak script at times. Throughout the film there are lines which just make me hang my head. Lines that easily could have been cut to create a much better film.
There are a lot of things you have to look past to enjoy Deja Vu but if you can then it isn't a terrible film. It isn't great but there is a faint unique flare in here that makes it more or less worth the two hours of your time. You have to take the movie's technology and ideas for granted as there are times that it doesn't exactly add up. But the film is different and has smart aspects that sadly end up being shot down by action film clichés. And then to add insult to injury the film has a terrible ending that could have been done so much better. It's unfortunate but it's just another thing to accept for what it is. Overall Deja Vu just earns a big shrug.