Push (2009)

Director:

Paul McGuigan

Writer (WGA):

David Bourla (written by)

Release Date:

6 February 2009 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Drama | Sci-Fi | Thriller

Tagline:

One push can change everything.

Plot:

Two young Americans with special abilities must race to find a girl in Hong Kong before a shadowy government organization called Division does.

Plot Keywords:

Hong Kong | Chase | Telekinetic | Hunted People | Male Female Relationship

Cast

Colin Ford	...	Young Nick
Joel Gretsch	...	Nick's Father
Djimon Hounsou	...	Henry Carver
Dakota Fanning	...	Cassie Holmes
Robert Tsonos	...	Division Doctor #1
Brandon Rhea	...	Division Doctor #2
Camilla Belle	...	Kira Hudson
Neil Jackson	...	Victor Budarin
Chris Evans	...	Nick Gant
Kai Cheung Leung	...	Dice Man
Sun Nan Hung	...	Dice Man's Heavy
Corey Stoll	...	Agent Mack
Scott Michael Campbell	...	Agent Holden
Wai Man Tam	...	Cook in Fish Market
Hal Yamanouchi	...	Pop Father (as Haruihko Yamanouchi)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, brief strong language, smoking and a scene of teen drinking.

Runtime:

111 min

Country:

Canada | UK | USA

Language:

English | Cantonese

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | DTS

Certification:

UK:12A | Ireland:15A | USA:PG-13 (certificate #44788) | Philippines:PG-13 (MTRCB) | Singapore:PG | France:U | South Korea:15 | Australia:M | Finland:K-15 | Argentina:13 | Mexico:B | Iceland:12 | Canada:14A (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Ontario) | Canada:G (Quebec) | Portugal:M/12 | Japan:G | Netherlands:12

Filming Locations:

Hong Kong, China

Company:

Summit Entertainment

Trivia:

The different type of psychics in the film are Movers (who can move objects with their mind), Pushers (who can control other peoples' thoughts), Watchers (who can see the future), Bleeders (who emit high-pitched screams that can burst blood vessels), Sniffs (who can track people), Shifters (who can temporarily change what an object looks like to others), Wipers (who can wipe memory), Shadows (who can cloak themselves and others around them from detection) and Stitchers (who can heal or unheal people).

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: When Nick is confronting Carver for the first time, he pulls the two guns out of his pants and lets them be controlled by his "abilities". However, in the mirrors above him, you cannot see the guns' reflection.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Young Nick: Dad, what's happening?
Nick's Father: I need you to listen to me, like we're the last two people on the planet, okay Nick? Someday, a girl is going to give you a flower. You got that? A flower. And you have to help her, Nick. You help her, and you help us all. Okay? I know it doesn't make any sense right now, but I believe the woman who told me that. Do you think you can believe me?
[Nick nods]
Nick's Father: I love you. Know how I've said that you were special Nick? Turns out that I was right.

Soundtrack:

A Visit to Suzhou

A great piece of something different... I already bought it!

The trailer for "Push" did not give me a desire to see it in the theater... It was actually a last minute choice to go see it in hopes to see a good action movie. I was certainly surprised -- I have heard some bad reviews of this film, but I must say the choice to go see it was WORTH my time. The story was excellent and pieced together very well. The way it was written was something I rarely see in movies anymore. Most directors rely on special effects and explosions anymore, but "Push" used it's action/CG as a companion to the plot. The plot's structure was on the line of "The Jacket" or "Burn After Reading" where details, no matter how subtle, seem to twist and mesh into a well-thought-out idea. The little visions of the future and appearance of random characters are not meant to be simply passed off. You are allowed to think in this one... What a nice change! Switches between the gritty and crisp, colorful filming worked well in bringing a certain mood to the appropriate scenes (which also looks brilliant on BluRay). The actions scenes were great as well... With the company of the Pushers' powers and the manipulation of people and objects around them, those scenes did not usually go in the direction I anticipated.

This is not fair to call "Push" a "super hero" movie. It is not really a super hero movie, nor is it a traditional action movie; I believe this was the intention. The bolder science fiction basis kept the plot focused and within the realm of "its own" feel and stayed away from the "everything everyone else is doing" feel. Actions scenes were powerful yet short; I was left wanting more, so when the next series of craziness began I was more involved and appreciated it more.

Sure there were some editing flaws, but even major blockbusters going back to "Jurassic Park" have issues. Even still, I have found that some of these reported "flaws" in "Push" are incorrect after viewing it for a second time on BluRay.

As a final note, the entire cast held their roles wonderfully and left a lasting impression of each of their characters. I guarantee that if the original cast chose to return, I would be in line for a "Push" sequel on opening night.