Movie Reviews
Now comes a movie that stylishly points out both the friend and foe aspects of that very invention. “Cellular” is a provocative, and surprisingly well made film that is extremely satisfying, and yet not dumb at all. Our minds have been tricked into thinking that stupid action films are okay because the action is so good by directors like Michael Bay. But “Cellular” never once drops to that level.
The film is really only quiet for about five minutes in the opening moments. From the beginning of the next scene to the end of the film, it’s a non-stop adrenaline rush fill with an exceptional story and wonderful performances. Kim Basinger plays Jessica Martin, a woman who teaches biology at a school, who is abducted and taken to another house where she is locked in the basement. And while a wall telephone seems to be her saving grace, one of her abductors (Jason Statham) smashes it into pieces. Jessica spends most of the morning tapping wires together in hopes that she’ll somehow dial a number. She is eventually successful – reaching Ryan (Chris Evans) a twenty-something guy who has no time for anyone else, but is asked to take ten minutes out of his day to help a woman in need.
That ten minutes turns into a whole day of intense, exciting, and altogether smart action scenes that almost never let up. And what this film becomes is a cry for help, a poster for helping others, even when we don’t want to. And even when we don’t know who we’re helping. “Cellular” could’ve taken that concept and turned it into mush (which some directors seem to make a sport out of), but it works. And to me, that’s all that matters.
While Kim Basinger’s character should’ve been old news, it works. She doesn’t try to make the audience feel sorry for her – she fights back, while crying endlessly. But none of her performance ever gets boring. Jason Statham, who is always good, is the villain and does a superb job. And I also liked William H. Macy’s character. He’s old, but he gets his dues and his great action moments. He takes center stage near the end of the film.
This is one of a few films that are very good in the period between summer films and Oscar-caliber season. And in a time when films sink under their own weight, “Cellular” balances just right. *** ½