Tony Scott directs Denzel Washington, Paula Patton and Val Kilmer in this sci-fi thriller where an ATF agent uses time bending technology to investigate a ferry bombing.

Peak post 9/11 cinema. We rewind, pause and reprocess a terrorist attack over and over again – trying to make sense of the tragedy but slowly numbing ourselves to the human cost. Three separate mini movies springing from the same incident. First act: traditional investigation with obscure clues and maverick detective smarter than the brass in charge. I’d watch that movie play out straight if Denzel stayed on his fine, committed form. Second act – Minority Report in the modern day. Tech nerds switch angles and zoom in on details from the past, using an all seeing but constantly moving forward MacGuffin. Only Denzel can unpick the clues and keep up with the strict four days in the past limitations on the big screen. Third act: we misuse the tech and go time travelling. After all there’s a hot woman to save and Denzel can’t stand about while geeks explain wormholes to him for another hour. The problem is every time we jump onto a new plot approach what works about Déjà Vu becomes diluted. Still a disposable Saturday night watch even if the talent and ambition does not match the end product.

6

Perfect Double Bill: Out of Time (2003)

Check out my wife Natalie’s Point Horror blog https://cornsyrup.co.uk

We also do a podcast together called The Worst Movies We Own. It is available on Spotify or here https://letterboxd.com/bobbycarroll/list/the-worst-movies-we-own-podcast-ranking-and/