Iffy for 14+
Edgy sci-fi thriller is very violent; not for tweens/kids.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Surrogates pushes the limits of its PG-13 rating. Yes, it's set in a futuristic world and most of the violence and mayhem is directed at robot "surrogates," but the images are still disturbingly bloody and destructive because these surrogates are portrayed by (and look exactly like) humans. There are lots of shootings with direct hits at close range, bodies flying through the air, multiple crashes that leave many dead or severely wounded, beatings, burnings, and explosions. Scenes graphically depict the extermination of the human replicas. Strong language is fairly infrequent but includes "s--t"; there's also a good bit of drinking, as well as some futuristic drug use. Sexual activity is portrayed in only a few scenes, but it's shown as casual and self-indulgent and involves promiscuity (but no nudity).
- Families can talk about the movie's violence. Does it have less impact because most of the victims are technically robots? Does the fact that they look more human than machine affect your reaction?
- What is the movie saying about technology? Can you think of ways that technology could inhibit your active participation in life around you? Is there a way to safeguard against that?
- All of the surrogates seem to be extremely beautiful, handsome, and very fit. What is the movie saying about how we see ourselves and the value we place on outward appearances?
The good stuff
-
Messages: The movie's basic message is that humankind is in great danger if human nature is sacrificed in favor of technological advancement. It suggests that isolating yourself and refusing to engage in the world will lead to passive self-destruction. The film also takes a harsh look at society's ideas of beauty and self worth. Each human operator creates a surrogate that conforms to the current popular notion of attractiveness and sex appeal, resulting in a society in which everyone is boringly young, thin, and gorgeous.
-
Role models: The hero is brave, honest, and resourceful. He's forced to make a weighty decision that's heavy with risk and consequence. The man responsible for the movie's bleak state of the world sees the error of his ways and tries to rescue humanity from the excesses of his own invention. The characters in whom the audience invest heavily all do the right thing when it counts.
What to watch for
-
Violence: Several humans are killed violently with futuristic weapons. Frequent shootings (many at point-blank range) of "surrogates" who look human and are portrayed by humans. Dead bodies (also the surrogates) are seen falling to the ground en masse. Also lots of explosions, car crashes, bodies being "liquified," vicious beatings, helicopters crashing, car chases, people burning, heads being smashed, etc. Many images of bloody faces, bloody eyeballs, and human faces peeling to reveal machines beneath.
-
Sex: Sexy dancing with lots of erotic groping and thrusting in a crowded club scene. A newly acquainted couple engages in passionate kissing and sexual foreplay just before they're shot to death while roughly embracing.
-
Language: Brief, infrequent strong language, including one use of "s--t," plus words like "kickass," "dick," "ass," "damn," "crap," and "oh my God."
-
Consumerism: Prius is seen on screen.
-
Drinking, drugs and smoking: One main character is addicted to drugs, as evidenced by large quantities of pills at her bedside. Some heavy drinking/drunkenness by the hero. One scene depicts futuristic drug use -- a blue liquid is injected into the veins of a large group of surrogate partygoers, sending them into spasms of ecstasy and hysteria.
Fan Reviews provided by
3
Good, but not great. by Uber Monger
Overall, the movie had a great idea going, but just couldn't finish it. Parts of the movie had good twists, but the twists never played out, and neither did most of the plot. Something big and momentous would happen, but that was it, no real depth was given to it. Just the fact that something happened doesn't mean you'll learn any good detail to it. It mostly felt like thoughts about the plot were made, but not acted upon. I guess you were just left wanting a better explanation and more detail. Something definitely felt left out. I would say go see it, but try doing a matinee, because it's not a movie worth the full price of admission.
4
A film created from a world imagined in a graphic novel by Robert Venditti and Brett Weldele by Spartacus2000
Surrogate's setting is a world were no one leaves home anymore. People move via robots they control from their homes via robotic ?surrogates? which look like you or much better than you.
The costumes and make-up are top rated as the actors portray the robots as well as themselves. A lack of special set designed hardly portray a futuristic world setting causing cinematography to suffer and lowering my rating of this film. Highly skilled actors but from my viewpoint the script was not demanding on their acting skills, what a waste.
I would not deliberately watch this movie again.I gave the film a GO rating because the setting and the story which is not groundbreacking intrigued me.I think it is a wonderful science-fiction film from the point of the setting.A lack of the rest, leaves room for improvement, could have been much better.But it's smart and enjoyable, and the message is "go outside, nerds!," which is always nice to hear.
4
More Than Meets the Eye by proudmexican0000
Surrogates is a movie all about the perversion that is artificial life. it also teaches a valueable lesson that nothing can really replace the real thing. there are lessons in this movie that no matter how good the intent is for something that is manufactured, people will always find a way to twist it into something harmful or addictive. overall the movie was good enough for a positive review. i think that the actors portrayed their characters well and that they were good for this movie but do i think that there could have been better people for this role, yes i do. it was well put together everything was explained but the ending was probably predictable it was as if you could probably figure it out somewhere in the middle of the movie. but i do have to say that it is a good movie and one that makes you think in the end after it's all over and that it also keeps you entertained.
5
Really Makes You Think About a Possible Future by MetalBandit
I loved the movie, I truly believe that it makes you think about all kinds of possible scenario's. Made me think about what happens when a surrogate is damaged or destroyed, who pays for repairs or replacement that is for a civilian and not a cop, or soldier, or FBI agent, etc. If something like that should ever be in our future, would everyone forced to have one, and if not would those choosing not to have to live in such horrible conditions. What about your sex, could you in fact choose to be a different sex than you are born. There are some similarities between this movie and "The Gamer"! It truly does blow your mind about the possibilities the military aspect, cops not getting shot down anymore. I really did love the movie, and anyone that is into action/sci-fi, or even just for the hell of it you gotta see it.
4
"Surrogates" review by keonichavez
"Surrogates" has something in common with movies like "The Matrix", "Dark City", and "Blade Runner" -- these are all movies whose strength lies in the ideas they engender. Unlike each of the aforementioned, however, the actual plot of "Surrogates" isn't quite strong enough to make up for all the questions that go unanswered. Bruce Willis gives a decent performance as a man who can't get over the death of his son, and his humanity shows through the usual tough-guy veneer he wears. All in all, "Surrogates" is worth seeing, but be prepared to argue some shaky philosophical points.
4
Would have said "must go" if there was more depth to a couple of storylines... by lovestalentmoviefan
...but this is a good movie. Unlike "gamers" (check my review) this concept had a story and tried to do something intelligent,without diverting to unnecessary porn areas to fill time. You get the message of how unhealthy this way of life could be without cheaply titillating would (or wanna) be sick thrill seekers. I have seen 1 or 2 comments about the acting not being great,but the non-emotion of the surrogates is what the actors were going for and they did well. It is a really good story. Please check it out. Look forward to seeing more reviews. CLEAN!!!! See we're not so dumb to all those who think we can only appreciate a movie if its full of nudity,sex and vulgarity. Implied is enough and in most cases, BETTER
4
Good movie, short of being a great movie by murraytodd
In many things (writing, direction, art direction) there was a lot of attention to detail and nuance. And then in some other things there was a falling-back on cliche. Cromwell's talent was lost on a very two-dimensional role, whereas Bruce Willis really got a chance (in places) to show off his acting "chops".
A fan of Sci-Fi will see a believable and refreshing treatment of a theme--society that loses it's humanity in the lure of mechanized living--that is the genesis of things like Star Trek's "borg" and Dr. Who's "Cybermen".
But there was definitely a missed opportunity where the "action adventure" theme was too often used as an expedient fall-back for what could have been truly a great movie.
Worth seeing.
4
I don't want you leaving the house without your SUR ever again. by ManyNekoZ
I was quite impressed and satisfied, even surprised.
Special Effects 8/10: They did really well with young Bruce Willis, along with every other model. Especially when they showed the actual actors, it was completely believable that they've been locked up for some time.
Cast 8/10: I am a fan of the Willis, along with the Cromwell.
Story 8/10: Nice setting for an action flick. Plenty of plot twists to satisfy and intrigue you. A couple of questions come up and never really get answered, but nothing too serious. It's better then the movies that leave you sitting there afterwords in a confused state.
Overall 8/10: I was actually a little skeptical at first, since it was directed by Jonathan Mostow (Terminator 3, a sequel I'm not to fond of), but after all is said and done, it's a pretty good movie. Well played Mostow, well played.
3
eh. dollar movie it. by jennytron
i've been wanting to watch this movie and all i got was disappointment. the storyline was great and has a good twist, although some what predictable. i'd only take kids over 13 due to some of the violence. the thing that kills movies for me is the graphics. it had a lot of green screen scenes and it was very noticeable. some don't care about that stuff, so besides that point, it really reminded me of a late 90s on the scifi channel movie. it's okay for a day of "i don't have a thing to do. let's watch a movie (on tv or the dollar movies)." it did have me in suspense for a bit, but it was all so cheesy to me.
in short: kids over 13 only, dollar movie it.
5
What happens when androids start living and humans stop... by Captain_Nojaa
Surrogates is a good psychological story about the future of robotics and what could happen to humanity when robots and androids are allowed to assume the role of humans. The androids allow people to become whomever and whatever they wish, perform whatever job they wish, even do things they would never do themselves in their own real lives. But this technology has a down side... as the androids assume the roles people would have filled, the people instead become the controllers. While this might seem to be a huge attraction to people, the danger is in the possibility that a person loses his own identity and instead becomes the android personality he or she has assumed. Think of it as a fake chat room profile, only on a much larger and more personal scale. Eventually the androids become uncontrollable, and one man must stop the creator from destroying not only the technology, but the people connected to it. It's a good depiction of what could happen if we let technology rule us.