The Adam Project
The Adam Project
Starring Ryan Reynolds, Walker Scobell, Jennifer Garner, Catherine Keener
Directed by Shawn Levy
In 2050, Adam Reed (Ryan Reynolds) is on the run from the evil Maya Sorian (Catherine Keener) - one half of the duo who invented time travel back in 2018 - and manages to create a wormhole to send him back to 2018, but instead he ends up in 2022 after his ship gets attacked and he gets wounded. 2022's Adam (Walker Scobell) is a 12-year-old big-mouth who's shorter than all the other kids in school and gets bullied for his smart sarcastic attitude, but it's a mask as he's still grieving the loss of his father a year ago, along with his long-suffering mother Ellie (Jennifer Garner). When Future Adam arrives, it doesn't take much to convince Young Adam who he is, and the two embark on their journey to 2018 to meet the other creator of time travel, Adam's father Louis (Mark Ruffalo).
"The Adam Project" is a wonderful sci-fi action comedy blend that could only come by the inspired pairing of "Free Guy" director Shawn Levy and his enigmatic lead Ryan Reynolds (who will work together again for "Deadpool 3"), a film that delves into far more than just intense action sequences and fun CGI effects, but touches the heart of family and how we sometimes take those we love for granted. Future Adam is jaded and uses his humor as a defense mechanism after years of turmoil and pain that he tries to keep Young Adam from, mostly due to his unresolved issues with his father's passing and how it really affected him. Young Adam just started this journey of mourning and hurt, and Future Adam tries to help mend the fences before they get torn down, especially between Young Adam and his mother.
It's heartwarming because, despite the sci-fi premise, this is a very grounded, realistic portrayal of a broken family. Ellie feels like she has to be the strong one, and she can't show emotion because it'll affect her son, while her son sees her as unemotional and therefore thinks that she has it all together while she's silently falling apart, much like Young Adam is. Yet this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to dealing with grief and loss, as both Adams travel back in time more to see their deceased father, and they get something that none of us get the chance to: a second chance with a loved one who's passed on. As the film is filled with quick witted comedy and intense action, there's also tender moments of raw emotion and surprising feels you wouldn't expect in a film like this, and adds to the importance to watch this movie as a family so you can have more difficult discussions that need to happen.
The comedy comes fast and hard from the start and never relents, especially when you got Ryan Reynolds as the lead. Sure, he does his traditional Ryan Reynolds snark, but he does so with an emotion that connects you with the character in more ways than one. You know he's hurting despite the jokes he gives, and you know it only masks a pain that he harbors inside. The best comedic moments come with the Adams interacting with one another, and Walker Scobell (in his feature film debut) more than holds his own against the veteran Reynolds, where you really think the two share the same mind. Their connection is immediate and solid, and never lets up throughout the film.
The other supporting actors do great work as well. Jennifer Garner's Ellie, as mentioned earlier, struggles with the death of her husband and having to raise a troubled child alone, and gives her entire essence into the role. Mark Ruffalo (who co-starred with Garner in "13 Going on 30") also blends comedy and drama as Adam's father, the inventor of time travel, as he struggles to grasp the concepts of what he created has done in the grand scheme of time. Zoe Saldana gives a great supporting role as Adam's future wife who - as Saldana is known for - kicks some serious butt, and Catherine Keener relishes the role of the villainous Maya Sorian.
"The Adam Project" boasts a strong sci-fi feel filled with special effects that feels like they came from the 80s, but with a polished, 21st century feel. Anyone who grew up in the 80s will feel that when they're watching the film, along with the several 80s references and homages (especially a forest chase reminiscent of "The Return of the Jedi"). One reviewer said this film would be one that Spielberg would be proud of, and I wholeheartedly agree. It's a terrific blend of different genres that are combined for a fun, action-packed, comedic, and dramatic ride that'll hit you right in the feels and also have you crying tears of laughter.
The Score: A
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