Surrogates

"Surrogates" wants to be a big movie with big ideas, but most of them have been explored before in recent (and not-so-recent) years. As we become more consumed with technology and less reliant on interpersonal contact, it's certainly a relevant and somewhat plausible cautionary tale. But despite boasting impressive special effects that defy its relatively modest $80 million budget, "Surrogates" comes up short as an emotionally engaging action adventure. At least the running time is pretty short too (only 88 minutes).

That's too bad, given the level of talent involved. Jonathan Mostow may not be the most prolific director working in Hollywood, but he's definitely one of the most consistent - 1997's "Breakdown," 2000's "U-571" and 2003's "Terminator: Rise of the Machines" were all very entertaining movies. And after four "Die Hard" flicks, "Surrogates" features Bruce Willis in the kind of role that moviegoers like to see him in: the flawed anti-hero.