Robot flick with robotic acting

If most of the characters in a movie are basically robots, is robotic dialogue acceptable? While it probably isn’t intentional, “Surrogates” puts this question to the test.

Bruce Willis stars as an FBI agent trying to solve a murder linked to the man who has created flawless surrogate bodies through which humans live vicariously. His performance is at least bearable, and that’s good because he’s basically the only human in the movie.

Despite an intriguing premise and impressive visual effects, the movie falls short in all important aspects.

The idea – removing human shortcomings in favor of a carefree life – is certainly a different one. Unfortunately, the film had about as much depth and soul as the surrogates themselves did. The plot lacked the strong direction sci-fi necessitates and the acting was weak, even for robots.

Save a nostalgic Bruce Willis-Ving Rhames fight sequence 15 years post-”Pulp Fiction,” this movie isn’t a lot of fun. It’s an average sci-fi concept with below average execution.