Summary
8 tech score
“Upgrade” (BH Tilt)
Often I see a trailer for a movie and it is so compelling I can hardly wait to see the actual film. Other times the trailer is just bland and gives no inkling of the entertainment value contained in the film. Such was the case with “Upgrade.” I saw the trailer and was not impressed. Then I saw the movie and it was far greater than any meager expectations I might have had.
The impression I had of “Upgrade” going in was it was some cheesy combination of “Death Wish” and “Robocop.” Elements of both those movies are included in this new film but it is anything but cheesy. “Upgrade” lives and dies on its inventive plot and just when you think you have everything figured out, well think again.
At the first of the film you are introduced to Grey and Asha Trace (Logan Marshall-Green and Melanie Vallejo), a happily married couple. Asha is the breadwinner of the family while Grey spends his time restoring old cars. One night after Asha gets home from work Grey asks her to accompany him to a meeting with Eron Keen (Harrison Gilbertson), one of his clients. Keen is also a scientist who is a bit of an eccentric.
On the way home Asha’s driverless car malfunctions and they are involved in an accident. They escape with minor injuries but are then accosted by four men who kill Asha and severely wound Grey. After many surgeries he is left a quadriplegic. When Eron shows up and offers him a chance to have his body returned to him, he is eager to do whatever is necessary. What is necessary is installing a small computer chip in his body. This chip called “Stem” is able to direct all functions in his body to create normal behavior.
Once Grey is able to function fully once more he is ready to get revenge for his wife’s death. This is where the movie shifts into overdrive and the wild race to the finish begins. The price Grey pays to get his body back isn’t what you are expecting, and it sure does keep you on your toes trying to figure it all out.
Marshall-Green is perfectly cast as the everyman Grey. His reaction to the powers of his body and the scientific results he gets are a cross between awkward and amazed. It would be worth sitting through the movie again just to watch him go from stunned to functional. Even his physical movements are perfect for the role.
Also on the plus side of the film is Gilbertson. He looks like a slightly off-kilter James Dean and has the mad scientist glint in his eye from the very beginning. Betty Gabriel of “Get Out” fame is cast as the relentless police detective. She is just trying to do her job but she also gets caught up in the mad scientist’s plans.
The film is rated R for profanity and violence.
“Upgrade” is a movie that takes something that has been done before and gives it that extra twist. This twist makes the film unique and refreshing. If you think “Upgrade” is going to be the same old same old then think again. Much like “Baby Driver” and “A Quiet Place” offered a new view so does “Upgrade.” Don’t let it slip by without you seeing it. It is good.
I scored “Upgrade” a something old meets something new 8 out of 10.
Jackie K Cooper
www.jackiekcooper.com
