With the exception of “District 9” and “Sunshine Surrogates” is the most original sci-fi flick to hit theatres since “The Matrix.” Imagine a world in the near future where human beings never leave the comfort of their own home but instead live vicariously through humanoid machines called surrogates. The technology that allows this was originally intended to help victims of paralysis to control artificial limbs by the power of their mind. However the technology became so advanced that it could be applied to humanoid machines through wireless mental control. One controls his alternate self through computer technology hooked up to the neurons in the brain allowing one to live through his surrogate without ever leaving his bed. A technological revolution of unimaginable proportions more than 99 percent of American citizens live their lives through a surrogate thereby never needing to have human contact for the entirety of their lives. Whether it’s work personal life or errands surrogates do everything for you; in essence they are you –— but only your mind not your body.
The conveniences are colossal: One can choose any model he wishes and consequently can have any appearance he desires; surrogates are also stronger and do not experience human fatigue or pain. Furthermore the Internet-like connection between the surrogate and its owner contains a fail-safe meaning one can engage in risky and adventurous activities without any risk of harm to the owner. Even if one’s surrogate incurs damage it does not transfer to the owner leaving him or her unscathed. As a consequence crime is nearly nonexistent and the world has become the closest thing to a utopia. The technological revolution of surrogates not unlike the Internet has changed the face of the world forever allowing human beings to live the lives they always wanted — a life without fear or consequences. Life had become a vicariously utopian videogame where everyone can live his life with the utmost pleasure and meaning. Or so everyone thought.
The beginning of the film follows Detective Tom Greer’s (Bruce Willis) investigation into a destroyed surrogate. Except in this case the controller of the surrogate also dies marking the first case of homicide in years and implies a technological anomaly of epic magnitude that could destroy the surrogate lifestyle of the world. As the movie progresses Greer is forced to investigate the continuing homicides without the use of his surrogate. As a result he remembers what it means to be human. For the first time in years Greer feels the emotions of pain anger and love thereby making him question the morality and advantages of surrogates. He begins to realize that everyone lives a utopian life at the cost of sacrificing the very things that make them human.
The premise of “Surrogates and the philosophical questions it provokes provides the real strength of this film. What does it mean to be human? Is the surrogate human, or the owner human? Once the human condition is deleted from human experience, what else is left to identify humanity? The movie challenges the assumption that a human mind is the only identity of a human being; it implies that the body is as much a part of one’s identity. To feel pain and physical emotion in an intimate way is the very characteristic that makes us human beings; these qualities make us alive.” The invention of surrogates has made our world easy and fun but at what cost?
The movie’s only weaknesses are its technical qualities. The cinematography is average the art direction and camera angles are slightly disappointing and the acting is only decent (with the exception of Willis). Unfortunately the film fails at this level; or else it would have taken its place in the sci-fi canon.
Yet at least in my opinion the marvelous originality the emotional depth and the philosophical questions of this movie more than make up for the lack of technical sophistication. Even more importantly the movie resonates with our society in alarming ways. With our foremost mode of communication through e-mail and Facebook what has happened to human interaction? Our generation lives through the computer 10 times more than we talk to our fellow human beings; should this be the ultimate goal of human interaction where the individual and society are as distinct as water and oil?
“Surrogates although technically mediocre, is nonetheless a thought-provoking look at the danger that technology can impose — a danger that not only isolates human individuals but also numbs or destroys the very experiences and impulses that make us human.
Score: 4 out of 5 stars
