After watching Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (2022) recently, I realised how much “fun films” are in short supply these days. By that I mean movies that are so entertaining that by the end, you just feel like you’ve had a really good time.
With that in mind, earlier this week I rewatched a film that I feel fits into that “fun film” category.
The Adam Project (2022)
If you haven’t seen it, it’s a sci-fi/action/adventure/comedy directed by Shawn Levy (Night at the Museum trilogy, Free Guy), starring Ryan Reynolds (Deadpool), the young and talented Walker Scobell (Secret Headquarters), Mark Ruffalo (Avengers: Assemble), Jennifer Garner (13 Going on 30), Katherine Keener (The 40 Year Old Virgin) and Zoe Saldana (Avatar) among others.
Here’s Netflix’s very own short and sweet synopsis:
“After accidentally crash-landing in 2022, time-traveling fighter pilot Adam Reed teams up with his 12-year-old self on a mission to save the future.”
I love a good sci-fi movie! In fact I’d go as far to say sci-fi is one of my favourite genres. From Star Wars to Back to the Future (greatest movie ever made) and everything in between, the sci-fi genre has something for everyone, much like this movie.
Unlike a lot of films this one wastes no time getting right into things. It opens in the year 2050 with a wounded Adam (Reynolds) fleeing in his time jet from the enemy via a time portal back to 2018. From that point on its just action, adventure, thrills and a lot of giggles.
As I mentioned in my recent Spirited (2022) post, Ryan Reynolds’ “Deadpool-style” humour can tend to get on my nerves outside of the Deadpool movies. It’s obviously proven popular with the majority of the film-watching public hence him playing that same kind of smart-mouthed character in a lot of his movies since - however, personally I prefer a slightly more toned down Ryan Reynolds, and fortunately that’s exactly what we get in this film.
As good as Ryan Reynolds is, it’s actually his “younger self” played by Walker Scobell who steals the show in this movie. He’s one of those child actors who just seems to have tonnes of charisma for such a young age. This is his very first acting credit and you’d never guess. He’s brilliant, and a natural talent. His and Ryan Reynolds’ chemistry absolutely makes the film, and their sibling-like squabbling provides a lot of the laughs throughout.
Mark Ruffalo is a nice casting choice for Adam’s dad, and again, his chemistry with Ryan Adams in particular is a lot of fun to watch. I also like the fact that he and Jennifer Garner (who plays Adam’s mum) starred in 13 Going on 30 (2004) together (not to mention all the Marvel connections). I’m kind of sad like that.
Katherine Keener plays the movie’s villain, Maya Sorian to good effect and appears as both her older and younger self in the movie.
Shortly after watching this film for the first time last year I read a lot of stuff online that criticised the “poor” de-ageing technology used for her younger character’s appearance. I can’t say I noticed it at the time, but watching it this time round and being more aware of it I can see what people were upset about. It is a little distracting, but it doesn’t ruin the film.
Zoe Saldana has a surprisingly little amount of screen time for such a prominent actress, but her character mainly serves as Adam’s motivation for fixing the future. Not only that, the film is really about the relationship between the two Adams (older and younger) rather than anything else. I think one of the reasons it works so well is because they made that the main focus and didn’t overcomplicate things.
If you’re a fan of movies like Timecop (1994), The Last Starfighter (1984) and the Star Wars saga I’m pretty sure you’ll enjoy this film. It’s just a great bit of escapism and a whole load of fun. It also has a kickass soundtrack! If you haven't seen it I highly recommend checking it out.
You can find it streaming on Netflix.
Seen it? Let me know what you think.