I'd say this movie definitely lived up to expectations I had from the ad trailers. A good mix of science fiction and cop drama, with the occasional good joke. Both my wife and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Denzel entertained as usual, as did Adam Goldberg. Don't be turned off by the professional reviewers. Those guys can never seem to enjoy a movie that's content with being slightly unbelievable. If I always wanted believable, I'd stick to documentaries or the news. There won't be any Oscars coming out of it, but it was a action-filled thriller that kept me guessing till the end. If you liked the Island, this is right up your ally.
547 Reviews
Very good...
Thanos_Alfie15 January 2022
"Deja Vu" is a Crime - Sci-Fi movie in which we watch an A. T. F. Agent trying to find who is responsible for a ferry bombing in New Orleans. He uses surveillance technology to investigate and find the bomber.
I liked this movie because it was full of suspense and its plot was very interesting and unexpected at many moments. The direction which was made by Tony Scott was very good and he presented very well his main characters while he succeeded on creating a mysterious atmosphere and make the audience feel it. The interpretations of Denzel Washington who played as Doug Carlin, Jim Caviezel who played as Carroll Oerstadt and Val Kilmer who played as Agent Pryzwarra were very good. In conclusion, I have to say that "Deja Vu" is an interesting movie and I recommend it to everyone.
I liked this movie because it was full of suspense and its plot was very interesting and unexpected at many moments. The direction which was made by Tony Scott was very good and he presented very well his main characters while he succeeded on creating a mysterious atmosphere and make the audience feel it. The interpretations of Denzel Washington who played as Doug Carlin, Jim Caviezel who played as Carroll Oerstadt and Val Kilmer who played as Agent Pryzwarra were very good. In conclusion, I have to say that "Deja Vu" is an interesting movie and I recommend it to everyone.
Reality Crime Thriller With Neat Sci-Fi Twist
AudioFileZ16 April 2007
I usually like sci-fi when it's pure sci-fi. I usually like present day drama when it's believably real. Disaster, at least for me, looms large when sci-fi meets real life drama. So here we have a present day crime thriller crossed with sci-fi time travel...And, this movie kicks butt, works so well, in fact, it's nuances should be studied in film school. It's original enough to be compelling-where we are not in some distant future, but the here and now.
The story, the characters, and the effects mesh well to suspend belief to the point that you "get on-board" and enjoy the ride. This is the way to do sci-fi with believable real life situations. The cinematography, the implementation of technology, and even a beautiful (but presently dead) damsel in distress, combine to give the actors, who are uniformly good to excellent, the boost to put this in rarefied good sci-fi territory. Genre fans are shoo-ins and those who think they don't like sci-fi should enjoy this one too. 7.5 to 8 out of 10.
The story, the characters, and the effects mesh well to suspend belief to the point that you "get on-board" and enjoy the ride. This is the way to do sci-fi with believable real life situations. The cinematography, the implementation of technology, and even a beautiful (but presently dead) damsel in distress, combine to give the actors, who are uniformly good to excellent, the boost to put this in rarefied good sci-fi territory. Genre fans are shoo-ins and those who think they don't like sci-fi should enjoy this one too. 7.5 to 8 out of 10.
See Deja Vu... twice (har har)
rooprect24 March 2017
First glance of Déjà Vu's DVD cover presents what appears to be another action flick with a bunch of good looking people looking too cool for school. Not that there's anything wrong with that, they can't all be "Agent PW" (Peewee Herman), but with the oversaturation of such action flicks it's easy to let one slip past you. Then I noticed who directed this film: the late, great Tony Scott.
Tony Scott committed suicide by jumping off a bridge in 2012. We'll get to that in a minute. First let's go back in time, as this movie does (speaking of which, here's all you need to know about Déjà Vu's plot in 1 sentence: the movie opens with a tragedy in the first 5 minutes, and the remaining 121 minutes take our hero on a wild ride to unravel the truth and possibly... change it?).
Tony Scott, younger brother of Ridley Scott ("Alien", "Blade Runner", "Prometheus"), was just as stylish and atmospheric with his films. Although best known for the more mainstream "Top Gun", "Days of Thunder" and "Beverly Hills Cop II", he first turned heads with his phenomenal debut "The Hunger", which was to vampire flicks what Kubrick's "2001: A Space Odyssey" was to scifi flicks. It brought a degree of sobriety and realism to a genre dominated by fantasy and cheesy special effects. Or in other words: "sh!t gets real."
Here in Déjà Vu, we get the same sober treatment of "time travel" movies. It's not just Marty McFly flooring a suped up Delorean and cruising into the past. Rather, we are presented the somewhat credible idea of being able to observe the past in real-time, similar to the way our telescopes allow us to observe the past of stars unfolding in real-time even though they have burned out billions of years ago. That's about all we get as far as explanations which I think is good. Nobody wants to spend 15 minutes talking about flux capacitors and stuff when people are about to get killed.
The action doesn't let up for a single moment. That doesn't mean that there are continuous car chases and shootouts, but what I mean is that there's a thick air of tension that Tony Scott achieves even during quiet moments because there is always a sense of impending peril. Take the opening 5 minutes, for example. Even if you hadn't read the IMDb description (which I always advise people not to!) and even if I hadn't told you that there's a tragedy in the first 5 minutes, you can feel something is going to happen because that's what Tony Scott conveys to us from the 1st frame.
A quick word about the acting, even though it should be obvious with Denzel Washington: fantastic. He reprises his signature action role of a loner who's somewhat cynical but not above showing tremendous humanity and compassion in addition to explosive outbursts. He also adds some great comedic moments, although most of the film's comic relief is handled by the excellent Adam Goldberg (remember Chandler's psycho roommate for 3 episodes of "Friends"?) who plays the fast talking, sarcastic, pop-culture-quoting computer nerd "Denny" who throws out zingers referencing everything from "Saturday Night Live" to "Airplane!" Now back to director Tony Scott and his suicide (you thought I had forgotten).
The undisputed power of this film is carried by its mystery. I'm not just talking about whodunnit, but more importantly: whydunnit? Powerful themes of fatalism vs. free will, acceptance vs. action, and even a tasteful dose of logic vs. spiritualism are thrown at us around every corner. The result is a thriller where we can't figure out the director's strategy or motive until the very last scene. Some filmmakers are somewhat predictable (you always know Disney will end happy, you always know John Carpenter will end with a few gallons of blood). But here Tony Scott plays with his cards so close to his chest, and not only that but he fakes us out quite a few times, that your fingernails will be deeply imprinted in the armrest of your chair or the flesh of the unlucky person sitting next to you. And isn't that how Tony Scott left this world? An unexplained suicide (although some family members mentioned a secret battle with cancer, the coroner's official report showed no cancer, no serious medical conditions), the only thing that everyone could agree on was that Tony's leap from the bridge was "inexplicable". Who knows, maybe watching this film will give you some insight into the mind of the great director. Perhaps coincidentally, a bridge figures into this movie as a prominent symbol.
Who knows, maybe you just wanted to watch a run-of-the-mill action flick with a bunch of good looking people looking too cool for school. But there's so much more here. Déjà Vu will definitely make you do a double-take.
Tony Scott committed suicide by jumping off a bridge in 2012. We'll get to that in a minute. First let's go back in time, as this movie does (speaking of which, here's all you need to know about Déjà Vu's plot in 1 sentence: the movie opens with a tragedy in the first 5 minutes, and the remaining 121 minutes take our hero on a wild ride to unravel the truth and possibly... change it?).
Tony Scott, younger brother of Ridley Scott ("Alien", "Blade Runner", "Prometheus"), was just as stylish and atmospheric with his films. Although best known for the more mainstream "Top Gun", "Days of Thunder" and "Beverly Hills Cop II", he first turned heads with his phenomenal debut "The Hunger", which was to vampire flicks what Kubrick's "2001: A Space Odyssey" was to scifi flicks. It brought a degree of sobriety and realism to a genre dominated by fantasy and cheesy special effects. Or in other words: "sh!t gets real."
Here in Déjà Vu, we get the same sober treatment of "time travel" movies. It's not just Marty McFly flooring a suped up Delorean and cruising into the past. Rather, we are presented the somewhat credible idea of being able to observe the past in real-time, similar to the way our telescopes allow us to observe the past of stars unfolding in real-time even though they have burned out billions of years ago. That's about all we get as far as explanations which I think is good. Nobody wants to spend 15 minutes talking about flux capacitors and stuff when people are about to get killed.
The action doesn't let up for a single moment. That doesn't mean that there are continuous car chases and shootouts, but what I mean is that there's a thick air of tension that Tony Scott achieves even during quiet moments because there is always a sense of impending peril. Take the opening 5 minutes, for example. Even if you hadn't read the IMDb description (which I always advise people not to!) and even if I hadn't told you that there's a tragedy in the first 5 minutes, you can feel something is going to happen because that's what Tony Scott conveys to us from the 1st frame.
A quick word about the acting, even though it should be obvious with Denzel Washington: fantastic. He reprises his signature action role of a loner who's somewhat cynical but not above showing tremendous humanity and compassion in addition to explosive outbursts. He also adds some great comedic moments, although most of the film's comic relief is handled by the excellent Adam Goldberg (remember Chandler's psycho roommate for 3 episodes of "Friends"?) who plays the fast talking, sarcastic, pop-culture-quoting computer nerd "Denny" who throws out zingers referencing everything from "Saturday Night Live" to "Airplane!" Now back to director Tony Scott and his suicide (you thought I had forgotten).
The undisputed power of this film is carried by its mystery. I'm not just talking about whodunnit, but more importantly: whydunnit? Powerful themes of fatalism vs. free will, acceptance vs. action, and even a tasteful dose of logic vs. spiritualism are thrown at us around every corner. The result is a thriller where we can't figure out the director's strategy or motive until the very last scene. Some filmmakers are somewhat predictable (you always know Disney will end happy, you always know John Carpenter will end with a few gallons of blood). But here Tony Scott plays with his cards so close to his chest, and not only that but he fakes us out quite a few times, that your fingernails will be deeply imprinted in the armrest of your chair or the flesh of the unlucky person sitting next to you. And isn't that how Tony Scott left this world? An unexplained suicide (although some family members mentioned a secret battle with cancer, the coroner's official report showed no cancer, no serious medical conditions), the only thing that everyone could agree on was that Tony's leap from the bridge was "inexplicable". Who knows, maybe watching this film will give you some insight into the mind of the great director. Perhaps coincidentally, a bridge figures into this movie as a prominent symbol.
Who knows, maybe you just wanted to watch a run-of-the-mill action flick with a bunch of good looking people looking too cool for school. But there's so much more here. Déjà Vu will definitely make you do a double-take.
Delightfully intricate
Calicodreamin5 October 2021
Deja vu is one of those intricate action thrillers that requires a bit of faith and attention, but it does it so well. The cast is outstanding, each playing their part with depth. The storyline is well developed and plays out in an interesting and exiting way. This is by far my favorite Denzel movie.
Tremendously enjoyable
mforce8 August 2008
I had never heard of this movie, but it appeared on cable and when I saw the cast, I figured "how bad could it be?". I thought it was terrific. Nothing of great dramatic or historical significance, of course, but who cares? Denzel is his usual infinitely watchable self, Val Kilmer is quirky with yet another interesting dialect and Adam Goldberg is fantastic. All three are smooth, assured and entertaining. A lot of posters and reviewers talked about how "unbelievable" the science fiction aspect of the plot was, but that never bothers me. Once I figure out what I'm supposed to suspend my disbelief about, I just do so and enjoy what the filmmakers are doing. I actually found this particular sci-fi plot quite intriguing and really liked having to try to follow its twists and turns through the action.
As has been said before, this is definitely a Sci Fi/ Film Noir/Action/Romance. How many of those have you come across? Highly recommended. Big fun and smart besides.
As has been said before, this is definitely a Sci Fi/ Film Noir/Action/Romance. How many of those have you come across? Highly recommended. Big fun and smart besides.
Rewind time to prevent a crime.
michaelRokeefe29 April 2007
Warning: Spoilers
Director Tony Scott comes through with a fast paced thriller with a touch of Sci-Fi. Doug Carlin(Denzel Washington)is an out-of-the-box ATF agent working out of Oklahoma City. He is called in to help find the terrorist Carroll Oerstadt(James Caviezel), who blew up a ferry in New Orleans killing hundreds of people. Carlin is approached by Agent Pryzwarra(Val Kilmer)to work in a top-secret government program that will allow him to go back in time to watch the perpetrator's movements leading to the bombing. Thus being able to stop the atrocity. Carlin senses that a beautiful woman, Claire Kuchever(Paula Patton), is the innocent fuse to the terrorist's actions. All she was doing was selling him a car...the car that blows up the ferry. The super sharp Carlin begins to realize that the process he has entered may leave him stranded in the past by three days. Nevertheless, agent Carlin also knows that he has fallen in love with the lovely Claire. As the film ends, don't feel stupid if you are still puzzled. Its just a movie...damn good movie. Also in the cast are: Adam Goldberg, Bruce Greenwood, Enrique Castillo and Elden Henson.
Near perfect hi-concept Hollywood sci-fi fantasy hero film
A_Different_Drummer29 August 2015
The reason I waited a few years to do this review is that I wanted to see the film a few times - something that reviewers should consider before dashing off a critique.
I have seen Deja Vu four times top to bottom and my comments:
1. Near perfect hi-concept film. Involves sci-fi, time travel, detective work, etc. But when push comes to shove it is about connection and saving the person you love.
2. Technically flawless. Well written. Great acting. And with Denzel holding the camera scene to scene even if there were some flaws, you would not notice them anyway
3. I will be honest. The picky reviews bother me because the purpose of the IMDb is to create a record for viewers of the futures, not a whine fest for reviewers of the present. I am a film buff (see my other reviews) and I tried to make a list simply of other films in this category, yet alone films that are this good. Maybe a dozen tops in the last 100 years. Which means that films like this are rare and when a good one comes along you treasure it, not belittle it.
Highly recommended. Hi emotional impact. A feel-good film.
I have seen Deja Vu four times top to bottom and my comments:
1. Near perfect hi-concept film. Involves sci-fi, time travel, detective work, etc. But when push comes to shove it is about connection and saving the person you love.
2. Technically flawless. Well written. Great acting. And with Denzel holding the camera scene to scene even if there were some flaws, you would not notice them anyway
3. I will be honest. The picky reviews bother me because the purpose of the IMDb is to create a record for viewers of the futures, not a whine fest for reviewers of the present. I am a film buff (see my other reviews) and I tried to make a list simply of other films in this category, yet alone films that are this good. Maybe a dozen tops in the last 100 years. Which means that films like this are rare and when a good one comes along you treasure it, not belittle it.
Highly recommended. Hi emotional impact. A feel-good film.
Denzel's most driven performance?
Jerique6 August 2010
I've seen countless Denzel movies. I've seen Training Day, Bone Collector, Fallen, etc. You take his best action flick and pit it against his best dramatic flick. It doesn't matter the genre, Denzel can't make a bad film. It doesn't matter the demand, Denzel's emotion exceeds your expectations.
From most of his films, I've seen, Denzel plays some form of a federal agent or police officer. In this film, while Denzel shines with the rays of the sun, Adam Goldberg, Val Kilmer, James Caviezel, and Elden Henson also perform vigorously in supporting cast.
I especially enjoy the fact that Denzel can go from antagonist Alonzo Harris (Training Day) to protagonist Detective John Hobbs (Fallen) to protagonist-antagonist John Archibald in John Q to this powerful performance of protagonist Doug Carlin. Then you have James Caviezel who can play a protagonist in Frequency (2000) to this antagonist.
It's plot is something to behold, most of all. When it comes to time travel it's one of the top things to discuss about movies. When you finish (and even during in some cases) you can't help but talk about the dilemma of going back and changing something for better or worse.
I know that it's fictional, but it's fantasy and I allow for it because at least the screenwriters have tried to connect realism to their storytelling. With the actors showcased, you can't help but be grabbed and dragged into this spellbinding tale about a hero.
It's been four years since my first viewing of Deja Vu and yet this second viewing is better. After watching over two hundred films or more between the first and second viewing, I think it's hard to remember every little detail about the great masterpiece of cinema that it is.
While it's rating is PG-13, I think that children should avoid this simply because it's disturbing and this is a type of film where you have to think while watching.
From most of his films, I've seen, Denzel plays some form of a federal agent or police officer. In this film, while Denzel shines with the rays of the sun, Adam Goldberg, Val Kilmer, James Caviezel, and Elden Henson also perform vigorously in supporting cast.
I especially enjoy the fact that Denzel can go from antagonist Alonzo Harris (Training Day) to protagonist Detective John Hobbs (Fallen) to protagonist-antagonist John Archibald in John Q to this powerful performance of protagonist Doug Carlin. Then you have James Caviezel who can play a protagonist in Frequency (2000) to this antagonist.
It's plot is something to behold, most of all. When it comes to time travel it's one of the top things to discuss about movies. When you finish (and even during in some cases) you can't help but talk about the dilemma of going back and changing something for better or worse.
I know that it's fictional, but it's fantasy and I allow for it because at least the screenwriters have tried to connect realism to their storytelling. With the actors showcased, you can't help but be grabbed and dragged into this spellbinding tale about a hero.
It's been four years since my first viewing of Deja Vu and yet this second viewing is better. After watching over two hundred films or more between the first and second viewing, I think it's hard to remember every little detail about the great masterpiece of cinema that it is.
While it's rating is PG-13, I think that children should avoid this simply because it's disturbing and this is a type of film where you have to think while watching.
Hugely underrated - a favourite of mine
Leofwine_draca3 March 2018
Warning: Spoilers
DEJA VU might just be my favourite pairing of Tony Scott and star Denzel Washington. Some of their older outings have dated somewhat over the years (try watching the overt flashiness of MAN OF FIRE for example) but this one just feels stronger and stronger as the years go by. It's also a fine, well thought-out little time travel movie whose plot is up there with that of the excellent underrated Spanish flick TIMECRIMES. Washington is on top form here playing a quick, smart, imaginative, witty, and brave detective working for ATF and trying to catch a bomber who blew up a ferry with all on board. The romantic elements of the story hang together well and aren't overdone. There are action elements including a car chase and shoot-out but they fit well with the flow of the story. It's the detective elements that I really enjoyed here and it makes me wish Washington could have starred as a detective in his own TV show, a la COLUMBO. DEJA VU is full of suspense and excitement, a real cinematic thrill-ride that I never get tired of re-watching. It's become a favourite.
Entertaining, But Extremely Contrived
ccthemovieman-128 April 2007
Warning: Spoilers
This crime-time travel movie was interesting all the way, but I can't help thinking it could have been much better. There were just too many holes in this story, too many clichés and implausible things that made it less enjoyable than it could have been.
It wasn't an intelligent time-travel story, not like "Frequency," or "Somewhere In Time" or a bunch of others. For instance, when the killer has his two adversaries right in front of him and walks away without checking to see if they are dead, it isn't smartly written. When everything important happens at the last possible second, literally, then it's too contrived. The movie is filled with contrivances, and it's too bad because it good have been an excellent film.
Hey, I like happy endings, too, but this is too much and an insult to any viewer's intelligence.
For pure amusement, I recommend this. You'll be entertained. But don't be surprised if your intelligence is insulted a number of times.
It wasn't an intelligent time-travel story, not like "Frequency," or "Somewhere In Time" or a bunch of others. For instance, when the killer has his two adversaries right in front of him and walks away without checking to see if they are dead, it isn't smartly written. When everything important happens at the last possible second, literally, then it's too contrived. The movie is filled with contrivances, and it's too bad because it good have been an excellent film.
Hey, I like happy endings, too, but this is too much and an insult to any viewer's intelligence.
For pure amusement, I recommend this. You'll be entertained. But don't be surprised if your intelligence is insulted a number of times.
U can save her
Déjà Vu
jaredmobarak24 November 2006
It's a real shame that everything I had read about Déjà Vu concerned the high-powered explosions and loud clatter of guru/producer Jerry Bruckheimer. No mention, except maybe as a footnote, was given to A-list director Tony Scott and the magic he has woven in his past three films. The man who brought us Top Gun has seen a sort of revival in style lately with the entertaining Spy Game, the amazing Man on Fire, and the kinetic Domino. Scott has taken the quick cuts of music videos and has infused them into his shooting style. His editor better be making some good money as these films fly by with filters, jump-cuts, grain, and camera angles swiveling at every turn. Greatly overshadowed by brother Ridley Scott and his more serious, award-winning epics, Tony has been pumping out some of the most solid and entertaining films of the past couple decades. With a reuniting of semi-regular star Denzel Washington, Déjà Vu proves that when Bruckheimer is paired with a like mind, his usual drivel can become great. Scott shows us how to hone the explosions, noise, and clutter to an effective level and gives us a helluva ride.
Déjà Vu could have easily reduced itself to timetravel farce, going by the books to show a time warp in order to solve a crime. The far-fetched premise of being able to see the past as it happens four and a half days later should seem crazy and by watching the previews you are given the idea that it will be just a series of do-overs. Fortunately the trailers these days show a totally different movie than what has been crafted. Scott and his screenwriters have not only developed a sci-fi tale seeped in enough reality to at least be looked upon as plausible for the sake of the story, but they nicely tidy up any chance of their being a plothole. Our story begins with a devastating domestic terrorist act upon a ferry carrying over 500 people, Navy and family. Washington's ATF agent is brought in and discovers that it was no accident. Intrigued by the efficiency he displays, an FBI agent, played with nicely effective restraint by Val Kilmer, calls him in to check out a new toy they have to find who the perpetrator is. During the use of this screen of the past, Denzel acquires a feeling of obligation to do all he can to prevent what he sees from occurring in the present, no matter what consequences that might entail for the future. The quest to stop the violence begins with an attractive young woman who unknowingly has become an integral part in what will ultimately transpire.
The beauty of this film is that with multiple timelines being shown parallel to each other, there are many questions that desperately need answering. To credit all involved, they appear to have put themselves in the audience's shoes and piece-by-piece wrote in a reason for everything. Anything that is seen either in the past, present, or future has a reason for being there and will be intelligently explained. Also, the performances are stellar, Denzel and Kilmer as well as a quietly maniacal Jim Caviezel and the emotionally exasperated Paula Patton, and the visuals unique. While Scott has toned down the ultra-kinetic cuts and filters for the main action, his style is still stamped on the graphics of their screen showing the past. The motion trails and speed scans lend a stylized digital editing program feel and are gorgeous to watch. Déjà Vu's best sequence, however, is the crazy car chase during the present in pursuit of a vehicle in the past, definitely a rush and orchestrated almost flawlessly. Even though Ridley gets the accolades and Tony gets the hack/overproduced label, I must say, while they are the best directing duo in Hollywood, I might have to give the edge on pure cinematic entertainment to the younger Tony. He is on a roll and doesn't seem to be stopping anytime soon.
Déjà Vu could have easily reduced itself to timetravel farce, going by the books to show a time warp in order to solve a crime. The far-fetched premise of being able to see the past as it happens four and a half days later should seem crazy and by watching the previews you are given the idea that it will be just a series of do-overs. Fortunately the trailers these days show a totally different movie than what has been crafted. Scott and his screenwriters have not only developed a sci-fi tale seeped in enough reality to at least be looked upon as plausible for the sake of the story, but they nicely tidy up any chance of their being a plothole. Our story begins with a devastating domestic terrorist act upon a ferry carrying over 500 people, Navy and family. Washington's ATF agent is brought in and discovers that it was no accident. Intrigued by the efficiency he displays, an FBI agent, played with nicely effective restraint by Val Kilmer, calls him in to check out a new toy they have to find who the perpetrator is. During the use of this screen of the past, Denzel acquires a feeling of obligation to do all he can to prevent what he sees from occurring in the present, no matter what consequences that might entail for the future. The quest to stop the violence begins with an attractive young woman who unknowingly has become an integral part in what will ultimately transpire.
The beauty of this film is that with multiple timelines being shown parallel to each other, there are many questions that desperately need answering. To credit all involved, they appear to have put themselves in the audience's shoes and piece-by-piece wrote in a reason for everything. Anything that is seen either in the past, present, or future has a reason for being there and will be intelligently explained. Also, the performances are stellar, Denzel and Kilmer as well as a quietly maniacal Jim Caviezel and the emotionally exasperated Paula Patton, and the visuals unique. While Scott has toned down the ultra-kinetic cuts and filters for the main action, his style is still stamped on the graphics of their screen showing the past. The motion trails and speed scans lend a stylized digital editing program feel and are gorgeous to watch. Déjà Vu's best sequence, however, is the crazy car chase during the present in pursuit of a vehicle in the past, definitely a rush and orchestrated almost flawlessly. Even though Ridley gets the accolades and Tony gets the hack/overproduced label, I must say, while they are the best directing duo in Hollywood, I might have to give the edge on pure cinematic entertainment to the younger Tony. He is on a roll and doesn't seem to be stopping anytime soon.
Another Enjoyable Washington & Scott Combo
dfa12037427 March 2016
Warning: Spoilers
Déjà Vu. A film directed by Tony Scott and starring Denzel Washington. A 99% chance right there that this film would be an enjoyable even if you had never seen any trailers for it, and it was, just like the other films the two had worked together on before, from Man On Fire to Crimson Tide. It was one of those combinations that just seemed to work every time.
Unlike the previous films, however, this time Science Fiction is brought into the equation with the topics of parallel universes and time travel being major parts of the story. Right there should tell you that it's a film that needs to be paid attention to, and if you don't you'll be lost as soon as the story starts to kick in with the whole time travel aspect.
Now, I've seen movies that deal with the time travel theory and they can be very hit and miss because some of them try to be too clever for their own good. They become over-complicated and you end up just losing interest. Others, though, are enjoyable and while they do get complicated, they don't over-do it.
Déjà Vu is one I'd include in the latter category.
The overall story is an enjoyable one, and even though there are some slower moments scattered throughout the film, at no point in time does it ever get boring. On the flip side, parts of the story move at a much faster rate, especially when the time travel aspect is being explained. Either way it always keeps you interested right from the start. It's also a pretty clever story and there are a few subtle instances that gets you thinking about various issues that arise from within the film.
Like I said earlier, it's clever but it's not overdone.
The cast is excellent with Washington leading the way as ATF Agent Doug Carlin and Jim Caviezel playing his opposite as "the bad guy" Carroll Oerstadt. Very believable performances and they, along with the rest of the cast, help bring enjoyment to a very exciting Action/Sci-Fi Thriller.
This is definitely a film to watch.
Unlike the previous films, however, this time Science Fiction is brought into the equation with the topics of parallel universes and time travel being major parts of the story. Right there should tell you that it's a film that needs to be paid attention to, and if you don't you'll be lost as soon as the story starts to kick in with the whole time travel aspect.
Now, I've seen movies that deal with the time travel theory and they can be very hit and miss because some of them try to be too clever for their own good. They become over-complicated and you end up just losing interest. Others, though, are enjoyable and while they do get complicated, they don't over-do it.
Déjà Vu is one I'd include in the latter category.
The overall story is an enjoyable one, and even though there are some slower moments scattered throughout the film, at no point in time does it ever get boring. On the flip side, parts of the story move at a much faster rate, especially when the time travel aspect is being explained. Either way it always keeps you interested right from the start. It's also a pretty clever story and there are a few subtle instances that gets you thinking about various issues that arise from within the film.
Like I said earlier, it's clever but it's not overdone.
The cast is excellent with Washington leading the way as ATF Agent Doug Carlin and Jim Caviezel playing his opposite as "the bad guy" Carroll Oerstadt. Very believable performances and they, along with the rest of the cast, help bring enjoyment to a very exciting Action/Sci-Fi Thriller.
This is definitely a film to watch.
Has potential, but fails miserably
staleno2 February 2007
Warning: Spoilers
This movie was embarrassing to watch. The thing that annoyed me the most was the fantastic time machine. Right, a video in HD-quality with sound that can be fixed in every possible angle and even zoom in so you can watch the digits on a phone display. Inside a house! And if you put something that stupid in a movie; don't try to explain it using real physics. It just makes matters worse; especially if you know physics. And this video system from the past was something a couple of guys had put together in a couple of days. Not to mention that these guys were the typical ubersmart morons you see in every sci-fi B-movie.
I tried to look beyond that and enjoy the movie, but it was hard. Denzel and Val Kilmer's performances are OK, but the rest of the actors are somewhere between bad and horrible. The story has so many glitches you lose count. But toward the end the moral seems to be that no matter what you do to change the past, the final outcome is the same; actually a clever idea (although not an original one). But then he sends himself back in time (yeah, likely) and saves the day and the girl (not to mention himself). Seriously; the ending was a complete disaster. In the end nothing makes sense at all.
Finally; who the heck was the bomber anyway, and what were his motives? I gave this movie 3/10 because it was partially entertaining. But it was mostly annoying. Do not see this movie unless you have a 13 hour flight and nothing else to watch. Or you can have a competition and see who finds most glitches in the story.
I tried to look beyond that and enjoy the movie, but it was hard. Denzel and Val Kilmer's performances are OK, but the rest of the actors are somewhere between bad and horrible. The story has so many glitches you lose count. But toward the end the moral seems to be that no matter what you do to change the past, the final outcome is the same; actually a clever idea (although not an original one). But then he sends himself back in time (yeah, likely) and saves the day and the girl (not to mention himself). Seriously; the ending was a complete disaster. In the end nothing makes sense at all.
Finally; who the heck was the bomber anyway, and what were his motives? I gave this movie 3/10 because it was partially entertaining. But it was mostly annoying. Do not see this movie unless you have a 13 hour flight and nothing else to watch. Or you can have a competition and see who finds most glitches in the story.
Only 2 required (don't read without seeing the movie)
ajsmith00115 December 2006
Warning: Spoilers
I was expecting more of this film based on the title and the trailer but ultimately came away feeling a bit taken for a ride. I read Sci Fi, I understand some of the time travel stuff they write so would like to add some thoughts.
To begin the whole process the ferry must blow up and he must travel back in time at least twice. The script writers get lazy in adding the ambulance and the stuff at the flat in the wrong time loop. They are compressing the two time loops into one time loop and using some of the elements to explain stuff that is logically wrong. Why two time loops and why is the film wrong? because the dead girl and the stuff at the flat and the ambulance all exist in the same time stream in the film. Why is this a problem: she must have been alive to help put it in the flat which he finds before he time travels but her dead body is in the morgue, so where was this other alive version of the girl in his current time stream???? She can't be the same girl in the river with fingers missing as that should already have happened. Now there are two of him at the end, but only because he time travelled, she never did, so there can only ever be one of her in any one time stream or loop at any one time. He saved her with the ambulance therefore its in the wrong time stream loop if she is also dead in the same time loop, so there must be two time loops, one where she is dead and one where she is alive. (now some might try to get round this by saying she was killed after going to the flat with Denzel and then placed in the river, but I don't think the timing and the positioning of the bomber will support that very well, and of course that didn't happen in the film)
The whole sequence would make more sense if it went like this. start: A note arrives from the future on his desk, his partner gets it. His partner disrupts the bomber, gets shot. Bomber can no longer use the car. This makes the bomber go for the girl and her car. The car is changed the girl dies at the hand of the bomber she ends up in the river and found later but too early for the ferry explosion. There should be no traces at the flat. There should be no ambulance at the bombers place. Science team get him on board, he starts the investigation, he sends the note into the past
Loop 1 He travels back in time. He gets the ambulance. He saves the girl from the first death. They go back to her flat, he arranges the letters and leaves the blood etc. Bomber still rides across the bridge (very very important for the logic) They try and save the ferry they fail (and die) The ferry blows up (again).
Logically this should have happened to have all the elements available at the start of the film to travel back a second time, where everything in the past is in place, so he can now see all of those things in the past that he put there and changed. So the time travel trip shown in the film should actually be the start of the movie (as it fits all the requirements for the first time loop) not the one leading to the shown ending which should logically be the end of the second time loop and the continuation of the time stream and exit from the time loop that could potentially go on for ever if the ferry keeps blowing up.
NB Bomber riding across the bridge: In reality if he had succeeded in stopping the ferry from blowing up as shown in the movie he would not have been able to see the bomber ride across the bridge on the CCTV(future part) as he was changing the past in real time, eg Bomber is now on the ferry. (remember the two are linked in real time, they said so). The ambulance, bandages at the flat, phone call etc must exist in the same loop as the bomber riding across the bridge.
To begin the whole process the ferry must blow up and he must travel back in time at least twice. The script writers get lazy in adding the ambulance and the stuff at the flat in the wrong time loop. They are compressing the two time loops into one time loop and using some of the elements to explain stuff that is logically wrong. Why two time loops and why is the film wrong? because the dead girl and the stuff at the flat and the ambulance all exist in the same time stream in the film. Why is this a problem: she must have been alive to help put it in the flat which he finds before he time travels but her dead body is in the morgue, so where was this other alive version of the girl in his current time stream???? She can't be the same girl in the river with fingers missing as that should already have happened. Now there are two of him at the end, but only because he time travelled, she never did, so there can only ever be one of her in any one time stream or loop at any one time. He saved her with the ambulance therefore its in the wrong time stream loop if she is also dead in the same time loop, so there must be two time loops, one where she is dead and one where she is alive. (now some might try to get round this by saying she was killed after going to the flat with Denzel and then placed in the river, but I don't think the timing and the positioning of the bomber will support that very well, and of course that didn't happen in the film)
The whole sequence would make more sense if it went like this. start: A note arrives from the future on his desk, his partner gets it. His partner disrupts the bomber, gets shot. Bomber can no longer use the car. This makes the bomber go for the girl and her car. The car is changed the girl dies at the hand of the bomber she ends up in the river and found later but too early for the ferry explosion. There should be no traces at the flat. There should be no ambulance at the bombers place. Science team get him on board, he starts the investigation, he sends the note into the past
Loop 1 He travels back in time. He gets the ambulance. He saves the girl from the first death. They go back to her flat, he arranges the letters and leaves the blood etc. Bomber still rides across the bridge (very very important for the logic) They try and save the ferry they fail (and die) The ferry blows up (again).
Logically this should have happened to have all the elements available at the start of the film to travel back a second time, where everything in the past is in place, so he can now see all of those things in the past that he put there and changed. So the time travel trip shown in the film should actually be the start of the movie (as it fits all the requirements for the first time loop) not the one leading to the shown ending which should logically be the end of the second time loop and the continuation of the time stream and exit from the time loop that could potentially go on for ever if the ferry keeps blowing up.
NB Bomber riding across the bridge: In reality if he had succeeded in stopping the ferry from blowing up as shown in the movie he would not have been able to see the bomber ride across the bridge on the CCTV(future part) as he was changing the past in real time, eg Bomber is now on the ferry. (remember the two are linked in real time, they said so). The ambulance, bandages at the flat, phone call etc must exist in the same loop as the bomber riding across the bridge.
Well-done, tricky, time-travel crime thriller.
rmax30482324 October 2007
Warning: Spoilers
If you should tune in to this film after the first twenty minutes or so, you are likely to be clueless about what happens afterward. It's confusing enough from the beginning. Instead of deja vu (already seen) I finished it with an uncanny feeling of presque vu (almost seen).
A special government agency has these satellites, you see, which are able to peer down and capture events in and near New Orleans in incredible detail. Nothing much new there. But the thing is, the picture the agents get is, dig it, four days old! And it's a trailing four day period, meaning that the events they are looking at on their giant TV screen are happening in real time. And as the agents spend their "present" watching the images, the "past" they are viewing travels along with them, always four days old.
The satellites are not only able to capture any normal images of events in public spaces either. They have "infra red" capacity that allows them to penetrate buildings and walls and see inside people's apartments and offices. And they pick up the audio as well. Of course this opens up new vistas, which the agents take advantage of by watching the drop-dead gorgeous Paula Patton take a shower.
Not wanting to run out of space here, and space is our problem now, not time, although we're assured they're one and the same, I'd better -- wait a minute. It occurs to me that I just spent too much of the space/time continuum explaining why I couldn't spend too much of the space/time continuum. Well, it's all no more confusing than the science and technology we see in this movie.
To cut to the chase, a domestic terrorist (James Caviezel) blows up a big ferry, killing any number of people, including the partner of Denzel Washington, who's an ATF agent. When Washington finds out that not only can we view the past but we can also, in some curious way, penetrate it, he insists on being sent back to a few hours before the explosion to see if he can prevent it. (The usual paradox is mentioned in passing, as a joke.) BANG -- and Washington is sent back to a few hours before the blast, and after his Terminator-like trip he immediately rescues the drop-dead gorgeous Paula Patton from certain incineration by the terrorist. He does more than that. He saves the drop-dead gorgeous Paula Patton a second time. He saves the ferry by sacrificing his own life. Or so it would seem, except that he unknowingly shows up at the post-disaster scene, his unknowing "present" self, where he is introduced for the first time to the drop-dead gorgeous Pamela Patton. I don't know how that works either. If you died in the past, how can you show up alive in the present? For that matter, if your satellite technology can pick up the visual spectrum in the electromagnetic field, plus infra red, how come it can also give you high-definition audio, which is nothing more than waves of differing air pressure? Actually, I happen to know all these answers but the NSA won't let me spill the beans.
Denzel Washington is quite good in this most action movie. He doesn't have much in the way of dynamic range but that's okay. Neither did Gary Cooper or Robert Redford. What more can be said about the drop-dead gorgeous Paula Patton except that she has a slinky, sinewy figure and the face of a model, full of good bone structure. And she has a distinctive husky voice too. Her features are slightly, engagingly, askew, as if someone had sliced her face through the sagittal plane and put it back together somewhat carelessly. She's African-American, I suppose, because we all agree that she is. But genetically my guess is that she's about half Caucasian, like Barak Obama and Hallie Berry. A living example of what's called "the social construction of reality." She's a decent actress and one hopes she has a career in films, and not just because she's, well, drop-dead gorgeous either.
The director, Tony Scott, deserves a comment too. He's done some meretricious work in the past, undeserving of much attention, but this (with one or two exceptional scenes) is nicely executed material. There's a bit too much editorial razzle dazzle in the expository scenes involving the satellites, but that's about it. The action scenes, the special effects, are above what you might expect from a routine action movie. Sometimes they're startling. I hope the stunt people were being paid above scale.
This is a film that ought to keep you attentive and in your seat, even if you're not an action movie fan. It's a superior example of a much degraded genre.
A special government agency has these satellites, you see, which are able to peer down and capture events in and near New Orleans in incredible detail. Nothing much new there. But the thing is, the picture the agents get is, dig it, four days old! And it's a trailing four day period, meaning that the events they are looking at on their giant TV screen are happening in real time. And as the agents spend their "present" watching the images, the "past" they are viewing travels along with them, always four days old.
The satellites are not only able to capture any normal images of events in public spaces either. They have "infra red" capacity that allows them to penetrate buildings and walls and see inside people's apartments and offices. And they pick up the audio as well. Of course this opens up new vistas, which the agents take advantage of by watching the drop-dead gorgeous Paula Patton take a shower.
Not wanting to run out of space here, and space is our problem now, not time, although we're assured they're one and the same, I'd better -- wait a minute. It occurs to me that I just spent too much of the space/time continuum explaining why I couldn't spend too much of the space/time continuum. Well, it's all no more confusing than the science and technology we see in this movie.
To cut to the chase, a domestic terrorist (James Caviezel) blows up a big ferry, killing any number of people, including the partner of Denzel Washington, who's an ATF agent. When Washington finds out that not only can we view the past but we can also, in some curious way, penetrate it, he insists on being sent back to a few hours before the explosion to see if he can prevent it. (The usual paradox is mentioned in passing, as a joke.) BANG -- and Washington is sent back to a few hours before the blast, and after his Terminator-like trip he immediately rescues the drop-dead gorgeous Paula Patton from certain incineration by the terrorist. He does more than that. He saves the drop-dead gorgeous Paula Patton a second time. He saves the ferry by sacrificing his own life. Or so it would seem, except that he unknowingly shows up at the post-disaster scene, his unknowing "present" self, where he is introduced for the first time to the drop-dead gorgeous Pamela Patton. I don't know how that works either. If you died in the past, how can you show up alive in the present? For that matter, if your satellite technology can pick up the visual spectrum in the electromagnetic field, plus infra red, how come it can also give you high-definition audio, which is nothing more than waves of differing air pressure? Actually, I happen to know all these answers but the NSA won't let me spill the beans.
Denzel Washington is quite good in this most action movie. He doesn't have much in the way of dynamic range but that's okay. Neither did Gary Cooper or Robert Redford. What more can be said about the drop-dead gorgeous Paula Patton except that she has a slinky, sinewy figure and the face of a model, full of good bone structure. And she has a distinctive husky voice too. Her features are slightly, engagingly, askew, as if someone had sliced her face through the sagittal plane and put it back together somewhat carelessly. She's African-American, I suppose, because we all agree that she is. But genetically my guess is that she's about half Caucasian, like Barak Obama and Hallie Berry. A living example of what's called "the social construction of reality." She's a decent actress and one hopes she has a career in films, and not just because she's, well, drop-dead gorgeous either.
The director, Tony Scott, deserves a comment too. He's done some meretricious work in the past, undeserving of much attention, but this (with one or two exceptional scenes) is nicely executed material. There's a bit too much editorial razzle dazzle in the expository scenes involving the satellites, but that's about it. The action scenes, the special effects, are above what you might expect from a routine action movie. Sometimes they're startling. I hope the stunt people were being paid above scale.
This is a film that ought to keep you attentive and in your seat, even if you're not an action movie fan. It's a superior example of a much degraded genre.
Can Denzel save a girl who has already been killed?
Tweekums24 May 2015
Warning: Spoilers
In the opening scenes a massive explosion kills hundreds of ferry passengers, including numerous US Navy personnel, in New Orleans. One of the investigators is our protagonist; ATF Agent Doug Carlin; he quickly establishes that the explosion was no accident. As he goes through the evidence he hears of the discovery of a burnt body on the shoreline; it sounds as though she died in the blast but she was found too soon
somebody who knew about the impending explosion clearly wanted it to look as if she was just another victim.
Things now take a turn for the science-fictional when Carlin taken to a facility where he sees what appears to be footage of the scene days before the explosion it turns out there is a government programme that allows the viewer to observe the past to be precise 4 days, 6 hours, 3 minutes, 45 seconds, 14.5 nanoseconds in the past no more no less. They are looking over the ferry but it is impossible to pick out anybody who might be planning to blow it up; Carlin suggests that instead they concentrate on solving the girl's murder; if they can solve that they will also solve the bombing. As he watches the past unfold he realises the doomed girl, Claire Kuchever, is somehow aware that she is being observed. Now he doesn't just want to solve Claire's murder he wants to save her!
This film gets off to a great start with a spectacular explosion and continues nicely as a conventional mystery for the first half hour; so much so that when the sci-fi elements are introduced I was a bit disappointed even though I knew they'd be coming. Once the details of seeing into the past were dealt with things get more interesting again with plenty of good action, as one would expect from director Tony Scott; the most fun being when Carlin dons a special helmet and chases the villain who is four days in the past in an attempt to find where he might be in the present. The story is a bit convoluted and the rules of time travel seem designed to make the story more exciting than anything else still if you don't think about it too much it is a lot of fun. Denzel Washington does a fine job as Agent Carlin and Paula Patton is likable as the apparently doomed Claire. Jim Caviezel was good as the terrorist; it made a nice change that the bad guy wasn't part of some conspiracy. Overall a solid enough film with some great action but not really a must see film.
Things now take a turn for the science-fictional when Carlin taken to a facility where he sees what appears to be footage of the scene days before the explosion it turns out there is a government programme that allows the viewer to observe the past to be precise 4 days, 6 hours, 3 minutes, 45 seconds, 14.5 nanoseconds in the past no more no less. They are looking over the ferry but it is impossible to pick out anybody who might be planning to blow it up; Carlin suggests that instead they concentrate on solving the girl's murder; if they can solve that they will also solve the bombing. As he watches the past unfold he realises the doomed girl, Claire Kuchever, is somehow aware that she is being observed. Now he doesn't just want to solve Claire's murder he wants to save her!
This film gets off to a great start with a spectacular explosion and continues nicely as a conventional mystery for the first half hour; so much so that when the sci-fi elements are introduced I was a bit disappointed even though I knew they'd be coming. Once the details of seeing into the past were dealt with things get more interesting again with plenty of good action, as one would expect from director Tony Scott; the most fun being when Carlin dons a special helmet and chases the villain who is four days in the past in an attempt to find where he might be in the present. The story is a bit convoluted and the rules of time travel seem designed to make the story more exciting than anything else still if you don't think about it too much it is a lot of fun. Denzel Washington does a fine job as Agent Carlin and Paula Patton is likable as the apparently doomed Claire. Jim Caviezel was good as the terrorist; it made a nice change that the bad guy wasn't part of some conspiracy. Overall a solid enough film with some great action but not really a must see film.
A decent thriller with the right amount of twists in it, yet an amusingly corny packed ride
dragonshield3 May 2007
This movie was pretty much what I expected. Nothing too serious, just a fun ride from the beginning till the end. The plot has this good twist in it, which makes the movie interesting and there is overall pretty much the right amount of sci-fi and thriller blended together.
What to expect from a movie produced by Jerry Bruckheimer? Explosions, gun fights, car chases and over the top dramatized scenes. Well, that's pretty much what you get from Déjà Vu. The movie's enjoyable, but like said before, it's nothing too serious. Denzel Washington is entertaining as usual, a right man for the role indeed. Don't expect this movie to contain any phenomenal role performances, as that is really not the case when it comes to movies like this one. This is just another perfect example of a movie which is only made for entertaining purposes. If you want to see this and you see this, it's what you expect it to be, nothing more or nothing less, you finish the movie with that usual smile on your face. Your entertain level is satisfied.
The movie's a big cliché overall, quoting myself on what said before; Over the top dramatized scenes. I mean, it's so predictable. The cinematography almost does that all for you; Fast forwarding, slow motions, shaking the camera, the screen flashing white every now and then.. I could go on and on, but oh well, you get the point. That is sadly pretty much what the cinematography always does in these kind of movie nowadays. It's like every possible way of cinematography is already used before and no-one tries to make anything unique anymore. You could always just cut down the cliché(ish) ways and keep it simple and normal. Well, then the movies like these wouldn't actually be movies like these, so the cinematography does what it's supposed to do after all. You can't complain about that, now can you? The music is also used to make it more over the top and it's just a bunch of corny compositions put together to make the movie more emotional, but for me it's more like a bad joke. Overall the music is also so predictable, giving a random example of that; "Now he sees a dead man, now his eyes freeze, now he walks next to the body, close-up shot of the body, corny piano music starts playing, close-up to the main character's eyes, now a tear drop, oh how sad" Yup, got it right again. So predictable. Well, you can't complain as then again, you get what you order.
Like I mentioned before, the plot has this good twist in it and it does make the movie interesting. It's also a bit unique in its own way. Though it is surprising at first, it's all downhill after that, as then it catches that famous predictability. Well it's not as bad as you may think from that last sentence, it's just is what it is. Despite from all of this negative feedback I'd still recommend the movie if you're looking for an action packed ride with a bad ass lead actor in it.
What to expect from a movie produced by Jerry Bruckheimer? Explosions, gun fights, car chases and over the top dramatized scenes. Well, that's pretty much what you get from Déjà Vu. The movie's enjoyable, but like said before, it's nothing too serious. Denzel Washington is entertaining as usual, a right man for the role indeed. Don't expect this movie to contain any phenomenal role performances, as that is really not the case when it comes to movies like this one. This is just another perfect example of a movie which is only made for entertaining purposes. If you want to see this and you see this, it's what you expect it to be, nothing more or nothing less, you finish the movie with that usual smile on your face. Your entertain level is satisfied.
The movie's a big cliché overall, quoting myself on what said before; Over the top dramatized scenes. I mean, it's so predictable. The cinematography almost does that all for you; Fast forwarding, slow motions, shaking the camera, the screen flashing white every now and then.. I could go on and on, but oh well, you get the point. That is sadly pretty much what the cinematography always does in these kind of movie nowadays. It's like every possible way of cinematography is already used before and no-one tries to make anything unique anymore. You could always just cut down the cliché(ish) ways and keep it simple and normal. Well, then the movies like these wouldn't actually be movies like these, so the cinematography does what it's supposed to do after all. You can't complain about that, now can you? The music is also used to make it more over the top and it's just a bunch of corny compositions put together to make the movie more emotional, but for me it's more like a bad joke. Overall the music is also so predictable, giving a random example of that; "Now he sees a dead man, now his eyes freeze, now he walks next to the body, close-up shot of the body, corny piano music starts playing, close-up to the main character's eyes, now a tear drop, oh how sad" Yup, got it right again. So predictable. Well, you can't complain as then again, you get what you order.
Like I mentioned before, the plot has this good twist in it and it does make the movie interesting. It's also a bit unique in its own way. Though it is surprising at first, it's all downhill after that, as then it catches that famous predictability. Well it's not as bad as you may think from that last sentence, it's just is what it is. Despite from all of this negative feedback I'd still recommend the movie if you're looking for an action packed ride with a bad ass lead actor in it.
An absolute thriller...
wilkinsd-122 November 2006
I'll start by saying that I was reluctant to even see this movie but after some insistence by family, I sat and watched in pure enjoyment.
Articles, reviews, trailers, TV spots, DO NOT do this film justice. Denzel Washington pulls out another great performance as well as an aged Val Kilmer. While some will point out that the plot is hard to swallow, it doesn't matter because it's wrapped up in sheer entertainment. You feel for these characters. There are no holes to be found in either the plot or it's twists. It's believable at the same time unbelievable. If you can get past the middle 20 minutes or so while they explain what the team can do, you're in for a great ride.
I can't, in three paragraphs, paint a picture like Deja Vu. Of the many films Mr.Washington has put out over the last 4 years or so, this is by far his best if not one of the best of the year.
Highly recommended for the open-minded.
Articles, reviews, trailers, TV spots, DO NOT do this film justice. Denzel Washington pulls out another great performance as well as an aged Val Kilmer. While some will point out that the plot is hard to swallow, it doesn't matter because it's wrapped up in sheer entertainment. You feel for these characters. There are no holes to be found in either the plot or it's twists. It's believable at the same time unbelievable. If you can get past the middle 20 minutes or so while they explain what the team can do, you're in for a great ride.
I can't, in three paragraphs, paint a picture like Deja Vu. Of the many films Mr.Washington has put out over the last 4 years or so, this is by far his best if not one of the best of the year.
Highly recommended for the open-minded.
Don't Worry Baby
ferguson-66 December 2006
Greetings again from the darkness. Explosions, Noise, Helicopters, Car Chases and guns ... all staples from a Tony Scott/Jerry Bruckheimer production. All of these are most certainly abundant and at the usual sensory overload level. What is a little surprising about this one is the somewhat complex, if almost impossible to believe, story line. Sure time travel and parallel universes are common in film, but the whole criminal element is a nice little twist to the theme.
Denzel does his customary strutting through with his favorite partner ... his enormous ego, but it somehow works here. Val Kilmer is drastically underused as Mr. FBI and Adam Goldberg somehow only gets to fire off a couple of wise cracks during his scenes. The spark for the film actually comes from Paula Patton as the victim-or-is-she? and Jesus (Jim Caviezel) as a really bad guy "patriot" Sure, the film is pure malarkey as far as being reasonable, but as escapism, it is actually much better than anticipated. The best news ... no Jon Bon Jovi or Bryan Adams songs on the soundtrack!
Denzel does his customary strutting through with his favorite partner ... his enormous ego, but it somehow works here. Val Kilmer is drastically underused as Mr. FBI and Adam Goldberg somehow only gets to fire off a couple of wise cracks during his scenes. The spark for the film actually comes from Paula Patton as the victim-or-is-she? and Jesus (Jim Caviezel) as a really bad guy "patriot" Sure, the film is pure malarkey as far as being reasonable, but as escapism, it is actually much better than anticipated. The best news ... no Jon Bon Jovi or Bryan Adams songs on the soundtrack!
It Really Got Me
Hitchcoc28 March 2008
I've seen and read so many time travel things over the years that I know one could pick at this forever. Still, once we embrace the technology and go with the plot, it's hard to stop watching. This evaded me when it first came out. I rented it and was captured. First of all, it's that cool Denzel thing he does. Especially when he is quizzing someone. He knows he's the man and he leaves the person being spoken to looking to see if his wallet has been stolen. I remember some of this from "Remember the Titans." The passing in and out of realities begs the question of what will happen to the characters when they make it back? Especially if we like them. And we do. The government, of course, does what it can to screw up, but the rebel always get his way, doesn't he? This is a film one thinks about long after seeing it. I decided to ignore the science and just enjoy it. I would have given it 9 but there are some plodding parts in the middle. It also suffers from a bit too much avoidance of common sense.
Good thriller
pilot10093 October 2021
Terrific underrated thriller
NateWatchesCoolMovies15 December 2015
The late Tony Scott and Denzel Washington collaborated on five films, the second last of which is underrated sci fi thriller Deja Vu. It contains Scott's trademark visual style, all skitchy sketchy frames, deliriously rapid editing and deep, gorgeously saturated colours that pisses a lot of people off in its garish, flippant aesthetic. I for one love his style, and here he is coming down off the high that was his masterpiece, Domino, exercising restraint that was no doubt mandated by the studio bigwigs. Nevertheless, the same unmistakably heightened forces of filmmaking that flow through the veins of this crackling thriller can be found in most of his work, just in smaller doses here. The film tackles a lot in its unassuming narrative, from terrorist bombing, an elliptical story that's put in an otherworldly trance by a plot point involving a high tech time travel capability, and a surprisingly heartfelt undercurrant that somewhat sneaks up on you. During a captivating opening credit sequence, we see a horrific explosion onboard a navy transport ferry in the New Orleans harbour, killing over five hundred people including women and children. ATF Agent Doug Carlin (Washington) is called in to investigate, and before long his cunning intuition catches the eye of FBI Agent Pryzwara (an unusually calm Val Kilmer) who is spearheading a very hush hush investigative technique that's being used to track the terrorist in the days leading up to the incident. What Kilmer doesn't tell him is the mind- bending metaphysical implications of it, but keener Denzel gets wise to their act, and throws himself headlong into a quest to stop the bomber, save the mysterious Claire (Paula Patton, just phenomenal) who was murdered and has ties to the event, and reverse time. Denzel is an implosive wrecking ball of determination, his ingenuity and reserve made me wonder why Carlins career aspirations stopped short of the ATF. I don't know why Patton isn't in more films (she recently starred alongside Denzel again in the super fun 2 Guns), she brings a battered resilience to her work, and is a radiant beauty to boot. Peppy gerbil Adam Goldberg is the obligatory one liner spewing techie who's got more going on than his exterior may read, and Bruce Greenwood is all stern bluster as the FBI honcho in charge. This film doesn't often come up in discussions of either Denzel's or Scott's greatest hits, but it's ripe for rediscovery and praise. Propulsive action, far fetched sci fi intrigue that's hard to digest and follow, yet simultaneously wicked fun, and like I said before an emotional core that takes you by surprise. There's a sentence that I internally intone to myself whenever I see a film, or aspects within a film that fire up my adrenal glands, tear ducts or simply rouse my soul. Be it a banger of an action sequence, a romance that hits all the right notes, a good old fashioned fantastical invention or visual flights of fantasy that stir wonder within me. That sentence is "This is why I watch movies". I get no greater pleasure in my cinematic escapades than being able to say that to myself as my heart pumps to the tune of whatever grand spectacle I'm witnessing before me on screen. I can tell you, the sentence was uttered while watching this one, and now that I think of it, pretty much every film in Scott's portfolio. Highly recommended.
Illogical But Entertaining Enough
slightlymad223 October 2023
Continuing my plan to watch every movie in Denzel Washington's filmography, I come to Deja Vu
If you can get on board with a lot of the technology (the ability to watch the past, through walls with audio) and time travel aspects, a lot of fun can be had with Deja Vu.
It's totally illogical, with incomprehensible definitions of how things work, and I still don't know how many time lines there were, but I recommend turning your brain off and just going with it, as it is entertaining, enough.'
Deja Vu grossed $64 million at the domestic box office and was the 42nd highest grossing movie of 2006.
If you can get on board with a lot of the technology (the ability to watch the past, through walls with audio) and time travel aspects, a lot of fun can be had with Deja Vu.
It's totally illogical, with incomprehensible definitions of how things work, and I still don't know how many time lines there were, but I recommend turning your brain off and just going with it, as it is entertaining, enough.'
Deja Vu grossed $64 million at the domestic box office and was the 42nd highest grossing movie of 2006.
The Dumbing Down Of American Film!
liberalgems16 February 2007
Warning: Spoilers
I kept my hopes low for this mediocre time machine movie and my expectations were not exceeded! I realize the filmmakers are solely in it for the money. Film is now, for the most part, a commodity like toothpaste and paper towels - and it shows! I wouldn't even be surprised if Hollywood stooped so low as to hired Public Relation firms to write fake positive reviews on internet sites like this one!
While I have no complaint with the acting, the storyline is just utterly ridiculous, and boring as tears. I don't think it is asking too much for a story to make some sense, instead of treating the movie going public like a bunch of teenagers looking for some cheap thrills!
Where do I begin? This highly professional terrorist has no motive for his madness. He pops out of the blue, belongs to no organizations or movements, and has no ideology, no allies, and no one helping him. Our meany terrorist quotes Thomas Jefferson, claims he's not killing people because the U.S. military hurt his feelings when they rejected him for being "too much" of a patriot (I kid you not), and all he wants when he's captured is to confess like he's talking to a priest. (Plus a cigarette, of course - don't all bad guys smoke these days?) Oh, please, give me a break! How sanitized a story can you get? The filmmakers and screenwriters of Deja Vu have absolutely no guts, whatsoever, to make any kind of statement other than that terrorists are crazy and get hurt feelings! Wow! What an interesting insight!
Next, The U.S. Government has a time machine that uses so much energy it caused the last Canada to New York blackout while doing experiments with just small animals, which, in-turn, all end-up going into cardiac arrest, and dying. But when our fearless hero, Denzel Washington, goes back in time the energy problem miraculously disappears. Keep in mind a single piece of paper was sent through time a couple of days earlier, and it knocked out a whole city's power!
The dying problem is also solved too, with a full recovery taking less than a day. Keep in mind, when most people recover from going into cardiac arrest, they are usually not strong enough to waltz out of the hospital a couple of HOURS later! But Denzel is special, and he doesn't even have super powers!
When Denzel is shot by a rather large caliber bullet, he begins losing blood fast. So fast in fact, that it's obvious to everyone he needs to make a trip to the emergency room, pronto! Instead he goes over to his women's home because of time constraints. There they wash his wound with water and dry it with paper towels. He miraculously stops bleeding because he washed his wound. No need for stitches or compresses, just soap and water stops bleeding from gunshot wounds. Imagine what other miracles would have occurred if he had the time to wash the rest of his body!
I think you get the picture. This is such a dopey film because the stupidity is non-stop! It's a shame films are not rated based on cleverness and intelligence. If they were, perhaps filmmakers would start making more interesting movies!
While I have no complaint with the acting, the storyline is just utterly ridiculous, and boring as tears. I don't think it is asking too much for a story to make some sense, instead of treating the movie going public like a bunch of teenagers looking for some cheap thrills!
Where do I begin? This highly professional terrorist has no motive for his madness. He pops out of the blue, belongs to no organizations or movements, and has no ideology, no allies, and no one helping him. Our meany terrorist quotes Thomas Jefferson, claims he's not killing people because the U.S. military hurt his feelings when they rejected him for being "too much" of a patriot (I kid you not), and all he wants when he's captured is to confess like he's talking to a priest. (Plus a cigarette, of course - don't all bad guys smoke these days?) Oh, please, give me a break! How sanitized a story can you get? The filmmakers and screenwriters of Deja Vu have absolutely no guts, whatsoever, to make any kind of statement other than that terrorists are crazy and get hurt feelings! Wow! What an interesting insight!
Next, The U.S. Government has a time machine that uses so much energy it caused the last Canada to New York blackout while doing experiments with just small animals, which, in-turn, all end-up going into cardiac arrest, and dying. But when our fearless hero, Denzel Washington, goes back in time the energy problem miraculously disappears. Keep in mind a single piece of paper was sent through time a couple of days earlier, and it knocked out a whole city's power!
The dying problem is also solved too, with a full recovery taking less than a day. Keep in mind, when most people recover from going into cardiac arrest, they are usually not strong enough to waltz out of the hospital a couple of HOURS later! But Denzel is special, and he doesn't even have super powers!
When Denzel is shot by a rather large caliber bullet, he begins losing blood fast. So fast in fact, that it's obvious to everyone he needs to make a trip to the emergency room, pronto! Instead he goes over to his women's home because of time constraints. There they wash his wound with water and dry it with paper towels. He miraculously stops bleeding because he washed his wound. No need for stitches or compresses, just soap and water stops bleeding from gunshot wounds. Imagine what other miracles would have occurred if he had the time to wash the rest of his body!
I think you get the picture. This is such a dopey film because the stupidity is non-stop! It's a shame films are not rated based on cleverness and intelligence. If they were, perhaps filmmakers would start making more interesting movies!
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