January movies are generally amusing films that tend to lack-in content. Push, a January movie released in February, is entertaining but not worth 10 economically devalued U.S. dollars.
Push’s laughable plot follows people with mutant powers who are constantly trying to elude an organization lamely called Division. When a mutant escapes Division, taking with her an experimental serum, the suits are forced to chase her down. Seriously, that's the plot. Cue the credits.
There are two factors that save this movie from total disaster. One is the Hong Kong setting that lends a rich and almost gritty feel to the usual Hollywood action scenes. The other is Dakota Fanning. In the role of a 13-year-old clairvoyant, Fanning does a convincing job of illustrating the dilemma of being caught between the vulnerability of pre-adolescence and the “I can do everything myself” attitude of young teenagers. Having avoided the usual former child-actor pitfalls thusfar, she just might be around to stay.
The writing, however, fails to match Fanning’s skill level, and ultimately prevents the film from succeeding. The writers seemed too attached to the characters to let anything bad happen to them. The dialogue, barely better than that of Gossip Girl and nearly as melodramatic, pushes this movie off our must-download list.
Push Directed by: Paul McGuigan Starring: Dakota Fanning, Chris Evans, Camilla Belle Rated: PG-13
