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Impostor 2002 |
Review by Jonathan Cornwell |
Directed by Gary Fleder
PG-13, 96 min. (violence, sexuality) |
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Starring: Gary Sinise, Madeleine Stowe, Vincent D'Onofrio, Tony Shalhoub, Mekhi Phifer
Producers: Gary Fleder, Gary Sinise, Marty Katz
Screenplay: Caroline Case, Ehren Kruger, David Twohy
Cinematography: Robert Elswit
Distributor: Dimension Films
Released: 1.04.02 (Wide) |
Rating:
 (out of ) |
Impostor is based on a short story of the same name by Philip K. Dick in the 1950s, and, from what I can conclude after seeing this
film, it's probably much more exciting in print than on the big screen. I can't say the film is a total disaster, there are some
nice moments and a strange twist at the film's end, but it seems to do drag on just long enough to lose one's interest. It
must be considered disappointing at best, because the material on hand has the makings of an exciting mystery centered around
one man, instead of turning the story into a mundane action-filled midsection that distracts the viewer from the central
character in the film. It endeavors to be like Blade Runner, only to find itself comparable to The Running Man.
It's the year 2079, and the human race is in a war against the Alpha Centuri. Spencer John Olham (Gary Sinise) is a weapons
specialist who finds himself the target of assassination by the Centuri. Suddenly he's seized by the military, led by Major
Hathaway (Vincent D'Onofrio), and finds himself being readied for execution. He's informed that he's not really Olham, but
a genetically altered version of Olham who has a bomb embedded in his heart, waiting for the right moment to explode.
Spencer is sure he's not a clone, escapes, and soon joins forces with an underground fighter (Mekhi Phifer), intent on
reaching the hospital where his wife, Maya (Madeleine Stowe), works. Once there, he will perform a genetic scan to discover
if he's still the same man.
Like Blade Runner, Impostor oozes with atmosphere - a dark, sterile environment in a post-apocalyptic world with many
technological advances. In this case, however, the story doesn't match the film's look. We're bombarded with chase after
chase, mindless fighting and predictable showdowns. It misses the chance to showcase the psychological havoc that is
wreaked on Spencer's mind - is he a clone or not? Centered around this idea, Impostor could have been a great film, but,
as is the case with so many current science fiction films these days, replaces thought-provoking drama with Arnold
Schwarzenegger-like action.
The cast is pretty much on cruise control throughout the film, although Sinise is somewhat inspired since he helped produce
the film, and director Gary Fleder (Don't Say a Word, Kiss the Girls) doesn't seem too interested in challenging his audience.
Understanding how the match a film's feel with its story is crucial, especially in science fiction, and Fleder seems to miss the
boat here. Even a surprising conclusion can't dissipate the viewer's angst that is built up from the many tiresome chases and
nonsensical subplots that seem strangely out of place with the film's vision.
The real evidence of the film's lack of support comes from its distributor, Dimension Films, who decided to dump it into the
unenviable January release timetable (a sure sign that the film is in trouble). However, Impostor is a good deal better than
previous January releases, including such abominations as Antitrust or Supernova.
It could find a real following on video, since most moviegoers are inundated with many good films coming at the end of 2001
that run into the new year. But, unfortunately, those viewers will be likely disappointed also, insulted by a promising idea, only
to be relegated to a wimper by the film's end.
© 2002 Jonathan Cornwell
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 | Masterpiece - Film perfection |
 | Excellent - A Must See |
| Good - Highly Recommended |
| Fair - Worth seeing |
| Average - Viewable, but not recommended |
| Below average - View at own risk |
| Poor - Avoid at all costs |
| Very poor - An embarassment to the film industry |
| Zero | Awful - One of the worst films ever made |
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