Deja Vu (2006)

Directed by: Tony Scott | 128 minutes | action, thriller, adventure, romance, science fiction | Actors: Denzel Washington, Val Kilmer, Jim Caviezel, Paula Patton, Bruce Greenwood, Adam Goldberg, Erika Alexander, Matt Craven

The similarity between gigantic action and adventure films like ‘The Rock’, ‘Armageddon’, ‘Pearl Harbor’ and ‘Pirates of The Caribbean’? Producer Jerry Bruckheimer. This man must have a huge shed full of explosives at home, because he also packs a punch for ‘Déjà Vu’. The dream team of ‘Crimson Tide’ and ‘Man on Fire’, consisting of director Tony Scott and actor Denzel Washington, show a strong example of collaboration in ‘Déjà Vu’ and the result of all these additions is an exceptionally smooth and original action thriller. At least that was the intention.

Because this movie is by no means original. You can give it a different name and quality, solving a murder that has already been committed to prevent it is still very reminiscent of ‘Minority Report’. Although there is less science fiction and more CSI-like detective work in ‘Déjà Vu’. ATF agent Doug Carlin is simultaneously confronted with a terrorist attack on a ferry and a corpse that smells bad. Everything indicates that the woman died as a result of the explosion on the boat, but she was washed ashore before the attack took place. Carlin sees only one possibility: the killer is also the terrorist and by solving the murder he hopes to apprehend the terrorist.

What follows is an astonishing and difficult-to-understand analysis of images captured by satellites. You can’t pin them or repeat them, you can only watch in real time and from all possible camera angles the events that took place four and a half days earlier. Right… it’s nicely performed by Val Kilmer and Adam Goldberg, but it’s way beyond reality. What is strong is that the caution of the team behind these analyzes clashes with the stubborn and unwilling character of Carlin. Anyone who has seen ‘Inside Man’ knows how genius Denzel Washington can play such roles.

Analysis of images, messing with the times and modern equipment. It all sounds quite monotonous and boring, but ‘Déjà Vu’ is definitely not that. Tony Scott manages to achieve a style with a number of action scenes and his famous editing that gives the film momentum and keeps the film captivating. For example, there are chases that take place in both the present tense and, by means of a portable headset, in the past tense. Fortunately, Carlin also understands very little about these modern techniques, so everything is explained in a fairly simple way and you don’t have to be a high-tech nerd to understand it.

A faltering and unoriginal storyline eventually turns into a highly detailed plot in which all ends are tied together. Plus, as the film progresses, Jim Caviezel and Paula Patton only get stronger roles. The way everything happens again and yet turns out differently is amazing. Add to that the many, great special effects and you can only conclude that Bruckheimer and his team managed to do it again. Although this time they really have to rely on all the elements that can make a weak story strong.