Surrogates (2009)

It seems lately that a new movie is starting to look more appealing if it contains the phrase “based on the graphic novel” rather than the old “based on the novel”. With the success of films like Sin City (2005), more and more directors are turning to graphic novels for inspiration. While this doesn’t always work out as well as hoped (Watchmen (2009)), it does add a certain appeal to the film right from the get-go.

The latest in these “based on the graphic novel” films is Surrogates, hitting theaters this September. I didn’t know much about the film, having never actually read the graphic novel it’s based on, but I did know it starred ol’ John McClane himself, Bruce Wills. Then I checked out the trailer, and it shot straight into my must-see list.

Combining elements of classic sci-fi robot movies and updating it into the newest high-tech fantasy, Surrogates is based on a society where normal humans stay at home, strapped into odd chairs with lots of wires, and live their lives vicariously through clone-like robots, experiencing all life has to offer without ever leaving the comfort of their home. Who wouldn’t get hooked on this idea? Imagine being able to go skydiving without worrying about parachute malfunctions, for example? Personally, I think this would lead to more crime (ala a recent episode of quirky new show “The Unusuals”), but it’s still a fun point to base a movie on.

Of course, in this new society, something goes wrong, and the humans start dying when their “surrogates” are killed, and a meek Bruce Willis must step out into the real world for the first time in years to try and save the day.

With that kind of setup, and a cast that includes Bruce Willis and Ving Rhames, how can we not be excited about this film?