REVIEW: HYPNOTIC

3/5

The Domino Effect.

94 Mins. Starring: Ben Affleck, Alice Braga, J.D. Pardo, Hala Finley, Dayo Okeniyi, Jeff Fahey, Jackie Earle Haley & William Fichtner. Director: Robert Rodriguez. In: Theatres. 

Look into Ben Affleck's eyes and tell me what you see? More than a meme, and whilst we're here, how can people virtue signal that they're all about supporting people struggling on social media, especially when it comes to the stigma of male mental illness and the "man up" toxic problem, but use a picture of this man going through pain for jokes and likes? Affleck has been through it, that is clear, but Ben is back. The best Bruce Wayne to ever don Batman's cowl, and one of the greatest actor/directors working today like Clint, or 'The Tender Bar' of Clooney. The 'Gone Baby Gone', 'The Town' and 'Argo' Academy Award winner giving us one of the best pictures this year with the 'Air' of the Michael Jordan and Nike matrimony story. Reuniting with his 'Good Will Hunting' co-star and writer Matt Damon, like they did for Ridley Scott's 'Last Duel'. Now like the hats of Matt's 'Adjustment Bureau', or the player of Matthew McConaughey's family 'Serenity', Affleck gives us an accented science-fiction, rooted in the real life and love of kin.

Holding up a portrait, Ben broods like Bats as a dark detective straight out of a noir classic, by the book. This film directed by the one and only Robert Rodriguez ('Mexico Trilogy: Desperado', the 'Sin City' series) with signature, against the grain, out there style, takes cues from many a movie as the dominoes line up and fall (this film out this week in Japan was originally called 'Domino' on promotional posters). So much so (Doctor) Strange like trains wrap around his world and touch the sky like Christopher Nolan's 'Inception', as this takes its inspiration like the family-affair of the Hugh Jackman recent 'Reminiscence'. But before you compare this to 'Gigli', or claim plagiarism, 'Hypnotic' still holds you in its trance like a Johnny Depp 'Transcendence'. You can bank on this action like Affleck's 'Accountant', or the 'Fallen' demonic days of Denzel Washington, with the time on your side of that early 2000s feeling. Sony's Marvel movies from 'Venom' to 'Morbius' are doing it, so why not this one that feels somewhere between a B-movie and what a decade ago would have been the future of film?

Ben brings it along with Rodriguez, for a nice one/two punch. As do the rest of the Hollywood roll-call. 'I Am Legend' and 'Elysium' star Alice Braga excels like when she first came on the scene, and it was clear this was her time. 'F9' backstory wheel-man J.D. Pardo is also worthy of his badge and gun as Affleck's partner in fighting crime. 'The Hunger Games' and 'Terminator: Genisys' actor Dayo Okeniyi and 'The Lawnmower Man' Jeff Fahey. Whilst 'Watchman' and 'Shutter Island' standout Jackie Earle Haley gives us a cameo. With one of his aforementioned movies being a clue to the twists and turns that happen in this tale. 'We Can Be Heroes' (another clue?) star Hala Finley is the star of the future to watch out for though. Even with 'Prison Break' perfect William Fichtner continuing his run as one of the go-to villains. Always stealing the show like he did in the opening bank-job of 'The Dark Knight', which of course served as Heath Ledger's Joker's coming out party. Now arriving in the Far East, this film may have been a Stateside flop, but the only thing you should sweat is the marketing technique. Far from perfect, but worth it, this family matters movie with shades of the work of sci-fi forefather Philip K. Dick even features Robert's (spy) kids Rebel Rodriguez and Racer Max in respective composer and producer roles. You've got to love that, like the outstanding opening and epic emotional pay-off in the end. Even if in this fall time in Hollywood, you're getting a little sleepy. Very sleepy. CLICK! You're back in the room. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Filming: 'The Adjustment Bureau', 'Reminiscence', 'Serenity'.