Competent ‘Self/Less’ Forgets To Ask Questions

One of the coolest things about science fiction is that its trapping can serve as a canvass for asking important, relevant questions. “Blade Runner” pontificates questions about memory and what makes humans human. Most of the best science fiction films ask these types of questions and invite audiences to think about them. “Self/Less” had an opportunity to ask questions about the nature of identity and how the mind and the body interconnect. Instead, it forgets to pose any questions in favor telling a clunky story about a guy trying to make up for the mistakes in his past.

”Self/Less” opens by introducing us to Damian (Ben Kingsley), an obscenely wealthy businessman with a terminal disease. Damian is offered the chance to have his consciousness transplanted into a body grown in a lab by Dr. Albright (Matthew Goode). This body looks a lot like Ryan Reynolds and supposedly has no memories or personality taking up space in his brain.

Unfortunately, Damian’s new body used to belong to a actual normal guy with an actual normal life. As this guy’s memories bleed through into Damian’s brain, he goes on a quest to uncover who this guy used to be and comes into conflict with Dr. Albright.

”Self/Less” is a perfectly competent sci-fi thriller. There are futuristic machines and cool action scenes. Goode’s performance as Dr. Albright is just as slimy as you would want a sci-fi bad guy to be. The film is directed by Tarsem Singh, a guy who know how to beautiful, distinct imagery on film. He’s a little more restrained than usual here, yet he still gives us a warehouse strewn with old Mardi Gras floats and the opulence of Damin’s apartment. This is a pretty-looking movie.

The problem is that you keep waiting for “Self/Less” to become something more meaningful than a good-looking chase movie and it never does. It wastes a killer performance by Ryan Reynolds, who is spot on as a man trying to come to terms with who he really is. Mr. Goode is also pretty great as Albright. But it’s all for nothing as the movie never tries to do anything more than what you might expect.

This movie also feels fairly thrill-less, bad news for a movie that purports to be a thriller. Too many scenes take place sitting around talking or looking at computer screens. That makes the action scenes as welcome as an ice cream stand in the middle of the Sahara. Damian’s younger body has plenty of hand-to-hand fighting skills. It would’ve helped had he shown those skills off a little more.

”Self/Less” feels like a flick that’s had it’s consciousness transplanted into a better movie. It looks pretty great and the acting is sturdy and effective. It just doesn’t do anything to engage your brain. In failing to do so, “Self/Less” wastes a very interesting premise and becomes just another sci-fi thriller. It’s a pity, really.

2 ½ Indy Fedoras out of 5

MPAA Rating: PG-13