After writing the first four Saw movies, Dead Silence, the Insidious films (as well as directing Insidious: The Last Key), horror superstar Leigh Whannell brings us his first non-sequel writing / directorial feature. A Blumhouse release, this is new for both Whannell and the studio, as they delve into a more science-fiction-focused film. While there definitely are some touches of horror spread throughout the runtime, but it’s more just violent action and not so much scares.
The movie follows Grey Trace, played by The Invitation’s Logan Marshall-Green, a technophobe who would rather work with his hands and not rely on new gadgets. Trace is driving with his wife, when their (self-steering) car malfunctions and takes them to the wrong part of town, resulting in Trace getting shot and crippled, while his wife is murdered. After the incident, Trace wakes up in a hospital where learns that there is an … implant that can fix his current paraplegic condition. At first, he turns it down but, once he realizes the police are not making any progress, he decides to get the implant and take matters into his own hands.
The implant given to Trace (“STEM”) is essentially an internal Siri that can talk to the person and control their body. Once equipped with STEM, Trace tries solving the murder of his wife, turning the movie into a fast-paced blend of Death Wish violence, Matrix-style action and Cronenberg body tech. Genre fans will love it, as Trace gives the bad guys their just desserts. And even though the violence can be extreme at times, it is expertly counter-balanced with a very healthy dose of comedy that Logan Marshall-Green delivers perfectly.
Upgrade is working on a smaller budget but you really can’t tell. The fight choreography is tight and the camera work is unique, as it follows Trace’s body leaning and dipping in action scenes. The camera movement really adds a lot of energy to the movie and there is never a dull moment. Whannell really proves himself as a competent director and writer and, after seeing Upgrade, I am hoping that he gets the chance to play in an even bigger sandbox.
In this near-futuristic cyber-punk film, Whannel has crafted a quick, no-fluff sci-fi movie that I think will be a real crowd pleaser. I expect this movie to have a healthy life long after it is out of theaters.
(And, quick note: if you haven’t seen the latest red-band trailer yet … maybe skip it. It shows one of the first moments where people in the audience yelled out: “OH SHIT!”)
