← Back to Reviews
in
Leigh Whannell is famous for co-creating the Saw franchise with James Wan. Wan has taken off to direct billion dollar franchises, start new horror universes and is hailed as one of the best working directors today in the horror community. Whannell hasn't had such success. His role with Wan has mainly been as a co-writer, but he finally got the opportunity to direct with Insidious: Chapter 3. I'm sure he learned a few things from Wan, but now he has branched away from the horror genre with Upgrade and has given sci/fi action fans something a little new and fresh.
Grey and his wife Asha are on their way home from a meeting when their self driving car crashes. Multiple men with guns then surround them, shooting Asha in the chest and Grey in the neck, making him a paraplegic. Months later, no arrests have been made but Grey is given an opportunity to walk again from a young crazy inventor. "STEM" is implanted on Grey's spinal cord, giving him the ability to walk. He then takes it upon himself to solve his wife's murder and in the process learns he has been 'upgraded'.
Whannell creates a believable world in which technology is advanced enough to make such thoughts possible. Acting as writer and director, this is Whannell's baby and it showcases enough creativity to ignite enthusiasm for future projects. For instance, the fight scenes are more unique than what Hollywood is offering today. The camera tracks lead actor Logan Marshall-Green's movement, keeping him in the centre frame almost the entire time. This was apparently achieved by putting a reference point on him and having the camera track that spot, giving the fight scenes a robotic and calculated look. It looks great and adds something extra to the visuals of a typical revenge story.
A lot of attention to detail here, in the fight scenes you notice that "STEM" uses Grey's hands to move his head away from punches. STEM has no control over Grey's head, only the neck down. Small details like this add to the enjoyment of the flick. Believe it or not bits of the film reminded me of Inception, but going further into that would spoil parts of the film.
Upgrade is fun, it's cool, it's something a little bit different.
Upgrade
Leigh Whannell is famous for co-creating the Saw franchise with James Wan. Wan has taken off to direct billion dollar franchises, start new horror universes and is hailed as one of the best working directors today in the horror community. Whannell hasn't had such success. His role with Wan has mainly been as a co-writer, but he finally got the opportunity to direct with Insidious: Chapter 3. I'm sure he learned a few things from Wan, but now he has branched away from the horror genre with Upgrade and has given sci/fi action fans something a little new and fresh.
Grey and his wife Asha are on their way home from a meeting when their self driving car crashes. Multiple men with guns then surround them, shooting Asha in the chest and Grey in the neck, making him a paraplegic. Months later, no arrests have been made but Grey is given an opportunity to walk again from a young crazy inventor. "STEM" is implanted on Grey's spinal cord, giving him the ability to walk. He then takes it upon himself to solve his wife's murder and in the process learns he has been 'upgraded'.
Whannell creates a believable world in which technology is advanced enough to make such thoughts possible. Acting as writer and director, this is Whannell's baby and it showcases enough creativity to ignite enthusiasm for future projects. For instance, the fight scenes are more unique than what Hollywood is offering today. The camera tracks lead actor Logan Marshall-Green's movement, keeping him in the centre frame almost the entire time. This was apparently achieved by putting a reference point on him and having the camera track that spot, giving the fight scenes a robotic and calculated look. It looks great and adds something extra to the visuals of a typical revenge story.
A lot of attention to detail here, in the fight scenes you notice that "STEM" uses Grey's hands to move his head away from punches. STEM has no control over Grey's head, only the neck down. Small details like this add to the enjoyment of the flick. Believe it or not bits of the film reminded me of Inception, but going further into that would spoil parts of the film.
Upgrade is fun, it's cool, it's something a little bit different.