Netflix sci-fi film hailed 'perfect movie' but fans have issue

Edinburgh Live

6 days ago

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Netflix's 2022 film, The Adam Project, is a heartwarming blend of sci-fi and action comedy, featuring Ryan Reynolds in the lead role, supported by an ensemble cast of Hollywood heavyweights.
The movie is helmed by Shawn Levy, a long-time friend and collaborator of Reynolds, with T. S. Nowlin, Jonathan Tropper, Mark Levin, and Jennifer Flackett credited as writers.
Work on The Adam Project initially kicked off back in 2012. Tom Cruise was reportedly attached to the project at that time, but the film languished in development limbo until Netflix stepped in, acquiring its distribution rights.
Set in a dystopian 2050, this Netflix original casts Reynolds as Adam Reed, a fighter pilot who swipes a time jet to journey back to 2018, aiming to save his wife Laura (portrayed by Zoe Saldaña). Laura's assassination was orchestrated by Sorian (Catherine Keener), who seeks to control time travel, reports the Daily Record.
(Image: Doane Gregory/Netflix © 2022)
However, Adam's mission goes awry, resulting in him crash-landing in 2022 and encountering his 12 year old self (Walker Scobell).
In 2022, young Adam grapples with school bullies and has grown distant from his mother Ellie (Jennifer Garner), deeply affected by the loss of his father, Louis Reed (Mark Ruffalo), the previous year.
On 9 March 2022, Ryan Reynolds' film had an exclusive one-night-only showing in cinemas, swiftly followed by its debut on the streaming platform two days later, on 11 March. 'The Adam Project' quickly became a hit for Netflix, securing the position as the third most-watched film on the service worldwide at that time, with 157.6 million views in its initial 28 days.
Critical responses to the film were varied, with comments including: "I enjoyed The Adam Project, its past, present, and future permutations an exciting joyride fit for the whole family."
Meanwhile, another critic was less enthusiastic, saying: "It's an assemblage of ideas from other popular films that just hangs there with little cohesion. It's like watching a movie that hasn't been made yet."
(Image: Getty Images for Netflix)
One reviewer described it as "a movie with so many octopus ambitions is unlikely to pull off any of them, and that's the bind The Adam Project finds itself in."
Another said: "Funny, fast-paced and surprisingly tender."
Audience reactions were also split, with some viewers thoroughly enjoying the film while others were not as taken with Ryan Reynolds' latest venture.
One viewer gave 'The Adam Project' a solid middle-ground review, stating: "It's basically what you'd expect from a time travel movie. Really enjoy sci-fi stuff, and this was another solid addition. Nothing crazy, but nothing really against it. Thought it was a really good cast as well. Ryan Reynolds continues to shine in whatever role he is in. Had a good amount of laughs. Also thought it was visually well done. Overall, not bad!".
Conversely, another viewer was less impressed, commenting: "The type of movie that you'll forget 5min after you watch it. Full of clichés and the "science" part is beyond laughable."
Meanwhile, an enthusiastic fan shared their love for the film: "One of my favourite movies. Literally anything you will want from a movie, it's funny, it's exciting, it's emotional, it's interesting, it has great character and actors, just absolutely amazing, if you like action, fantasy, sci-fi, time travel - YOU WILL LOVE THIS MOVIE! !".