Film review no.44 - The Adam Project (2022)

 

The Adam Project - 2022

Rating - 12

Director - Shawn Levy

Written by - Jonathan Tropper, T.S. Nowlin, Jennifer Flackett & Mark Levin

Starring - Ryan Reynolds, Walker Scobell, Mark Ruffalo, Jennifer Garner, Zoe Saldana, Catherine Keener

The Adam Project is a 2022 sci-fi action comedy directed by Shawn Levy, which he also produced along with the film's star, Canadian actor  Ryan Reynolds. Reynolds and Walker Scobell share the lead role of Adam Reed, who we first see as a 12 year old kid in the present. His father, Louis (Mark Ruffalo) was a scientist who created a time travel theory called The Adam Project; he died in an accident the year before. Adam lives with his mother (Jennifer Garner) who he has had a strained relationship with since his fathers death. He is bullied at school and is suspended for fighting. 

Adam wakes up one night to discover a man in his dad’s shed, who he discovers is his future self (Ryan Reynolds) - a pilot from the year 2050 - who has time travelled to the past to find his wife, Laura (Zoe Saldana), and reverse the destructive future created by his fathers former business partner, Sorian (Catherine Keener). The two Adams unite and travel to 2018 to stop Sorian’s plans with the help of their father.

The film has received positive reviews from critics since its release last Friday. It has actually been in the works since 2012, and the role of Adam was originally set to be played by Tom Cruise. I, personally, don't think it would've worked with Cruise as well as it did with Reynolds.

This film was more poignant than I expected and managed to respectfully talk about the touchy subject of grief. The special effects are ridiculously over the top and, at times, ridiculously bad. Like many projects including Ryan Reynolds in recent years, this would’ve flopped without him bringing his classic blend of sarcastic wit and Canadian charm to it. Reynolds and Walker Scobell are hilarious together and are it is so believable that they are playing the same person because of it.

The Adam Project also delivers some laugh-out-loud gags, a banging soundtrack, and the electric chemistry between the two leads, which is hilarious as they try to figure out how to deal with their future and the future of humanity.

Score - 7/10

The Adam Project is available to stream now on Netflix.