My first movie review, so bear with me ... these will get better as I get used to writing in this style
The Adjustment Bureau (Matt Damon, Emily Blunt)
This movie covers a variety of genres. So many that I don't quite know what I would use to describe it if I had to choose just one.
It is certainly an action movie. The pace of this movie is non-stop from the very beginning. I'm quite adept at watching a movie and browsing the interent or reading a book during the "slow" parts. That was, quite simply, not possible with this movie. Every time the action slows for a moment, it picks itself right back up again.
Bring the wife along as well. There is a great love story wrapped up in this movie. This isn't the typical "isn't that sweet" fairy tale romance like we saw in You've Got Mail or French Kiss (I'm a Meg Ryan fan ... sue me). This is a love story that I think will inspire conversations.
Great action, quality romance. What more does a movie need? How about a touch of Science Fiction? It has that as well. In spades. But not enough to make it a true Sci Fi movie - just enough to make it it surreal and leave the viewer asking "What if?".
I already hear you questioning ... "But where's the plot?"
The easiest answer is ... "Everywhere." This is not a movie to watch in the background during dinner and conversation. This movie needs a person to pay attention. If you do, you'll discover that it is also a great Thriller/Suspense movie. I love a good mystery, a plot that makes me think, a plot with cliff-hangers dropped on me throughout it and a plot that keeps me guessing to the end. Very few manage to do this with any amount of Quality. If they do manage it, something else is sacrificed along the way - action, character interaction, etc.. None of that happens here. This plot keeps rising, with just enough mini reveals to let you breathe.
And just when all of that sinks in, you realize that there is also a very good philosophical element to it. I think fans of Terry Goodkind's books will enjoy the overall theme of this movie once it's revealed to them.
If I was to read that a movie had action, romance, philosophy, mystery and a decent plot in it, I'd be very afraid that somehow, something important was broken. Thankfully, that's not the case here. The only thing left would be casting and acting. Personally, I don't care about casting for most movies - either the actor can play the role or they can't - though on rare occasions I'll make note of an actor that has stepped out of their traditional role with notewrothy results. Simply put, the actors were very believable. Their chemistry between each other, and with the viewer is good. Not great, but not bad either. The acting didn't overshadow their roles, nor did I ever feel that someone else could have done a better job.
My personal rating: 8.8/10
