Relatively original

Rating: 8/10 (27 February 2009)

Obviously there are other films similar to this one, even, perhaps especially, in recent years. I won't name them here, as that might tell you too much, about this or them, before viewing. I would advise against reading anything about the plot of this before watching it. This presents a couple of interesting concepts(one of which is extremely beautifully realized, and possibly unique), and the explanations, while varied, show that thought was put into this. The tone isn't overly dark, though this surely can be intense, without going overboard. The pacing is good, it never really loses the audience. There's humor, and most of it works. Characters are fairly fleshed out and well-written. Denzel is largely spot-on in his portrayal(it might have been negatively affected by the script, also). Caviezel does great with what he's given, which could and should have been more. The cinematography and editing are marvelous. There are utterly fascinating visuals in this. The action is well-done, effective and entertaining(and at times amazingly thought up and put on the screen). It does beg the question, however... is it perhaps too "Hollywood"? If it had focused entirely on the intellectual aspect of the story, it would definitely have made a different movie. I'm not sure this fully reached its potential. They had places to go that they didn't even seem to consider, and, in that respect, the titles that use ideas akin to that of this feature are better than this. Also, this might be mistaken, particularly from the trailers, for a simple flick with big explosions by some, and they will be disappointed, and selling it short. It has very little language, and not the worst it could be. There is a tiny bit of nudity. Finally, there is violence, a nominal amount of which is strong. The DVD holds deleted and extended scenes, complete with English subtitles and optional director's commentary(that are subbed, as well), and a group of featurettes, each corresponding to specific parts of Deja Vu, that can be played as you watch it(complete with an audio track of Bill Marsili, Tony Scott, and Jerry Bruckheimer, during the picture itself, that seems to have been recorded at different times and put together) or altogether, from the Index. I recommend this to fans of science fiction and thrillers, of productions that ask you to think and can provide food for thought, as well as of the actors and/or anyone else who helped make this. 8/10