Upgrade Review: 5 Ups And 1 Down
A man looking for revenge and an advanced A.I that's installed into his spine. What could go wrong?
In this modern Hollywood trend of honoring those classic movies that came before, Upgrade seems like just another 80's-style revenge flick. While writer/director Leigh Whannell (co-creator of the Insidious and Saw series) isn't shy about how films like Terminator inspired the film, Upgrade rises above simply being a product of its influences.
At first, Upgrade comes across as rather cliché with its initial set-up. Old-fashioned man loses a loved one after they get killed by mysterious bad guys, then gets paralyzed by his wife's killers. He's then offered a chance at revenge thanks to a revolutionary technology called STEM that will give him special abilities beyond anything he expected.
So far, sounds like something you likely have seen before. However, instead of settling for just a Robocop ripoff, Whannell sets his sights on something greater. Once Grey receives the STEM implant and they make contact, the film realizes its greater potential and keeps you engaged from there. This is in large part due to Whannell's sleek direction, a strong central performance from Logan Marshall-Green, and stylish action scenes unlike any movie in recent memory. Because of this, Upgrade warrants your attention and is a quality example of what more original ideas in Hollywood can offer moviegoers, although that's not to say it's without a single flaw.
6. Down: Side Characters Are Underdeveloped
Although Grey receives considerable development throughout the film, the other characters aren't as lucky. The film's antagonists never really go beyond their initial villainous act, teasing potential character depth but never realizing it. In turn, they're little more than hostile presences for Grey to hunt down and fight.
Then there's Betty Gabriel's Cortez, who is relegated to the exact beats you expect her character to hit. She's a foil for Grey to deal with, little more. Worst of all, Grey's wife Asha is given limited time to establish herself as the Grey's primary motivation, leading to the movie's set-up still being effective, albeit without hitting every emotional beat it attempts.
This is definitely the film's weakest component, leading to the film dragging during certain moments where Grey isn't on-screen. The actors and actresses do what they can, but unfortunately everyone outside of Grey's character is noticeably-underwritten. It's not enough to derail the film by any means, but it's difficult not acknowledging the hidden potential some characters had, and how it ended up simply unrealized.