Sunday, August 18, 2013

Paranoia - 1 smile


If you’ve seen the previews for “Paranoia,” you’ve pretty much seen the movie. It’s mildly interesting to see Gary Oldman and Harrison Ford (sporting a bald head) chew the scenery in their few scenes together. And star Liam Hemsworth is pure eye candy even if he can’t act. Director Robert Luketic gives us an electronic score; quick, jarring cutaways; sleek, modern interiors and a hip hero with a posse of nerdy, cute co-workers. Unfortunately, the story lacks any originality and creates little tension.

Adam Cassidy (Hemsworth) is struggling to pay for his father’s (Richard Dreyfuss) hospital bills and after his presentation to his boss, Nicolas Wyatt (Oldman), fails to impress, Adam and his gang are fired. Then Adam is told that Wyatt wants him to go to work for the competition – Wyatt’s onetime business partner, Jock Goddard (Ford) – to steal the design of a new smart phone. Adam doesn’t want to, but Wyatt blackmails him so he has no choice. Caught between to tech moguls, Adam starts to feel the pressure when the FBI moves in. The straightforward conclusion is disappointing and the obvious twist, if you can call it that, is superficial and unbelievable. In the real world, Adam would get eaten alive by people like Wyatt and Goddard. Save your money and wait for “Paranoia” on cable. 8/17/13

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