Déjà Vu – Review

Opening on a horrific terrorist attack on a New Orleans ferry, Déjà Vu is a creative Sci-Fi action thriller, as long as you have the ability to suspend a bit of belief. In the midst of a ferry explosion, ATF agent Doug Carlin (Washington) hits the scene looking for any clues to what happened in the bombing.

As his leads begin to dry up, he is introduced to a new secret government team who is tasked with using new technology to “surveil” the active crime-scene of the ferry terminal. Utilizing a machine that bends the fabric of time, this team is able to “see” into the past, but in a very specific and limited way. Using this new technology, agent Carlin begins looking for new and usable clues, leading to deadly consequences for those past and present.

The sci-fi nature of this script will forever separate this movie from just a regular action/mystery flick. It really has a unique aspect, which is used fairly well and inventively, such as with one of the most original car chases in movie history. While this movie may not ultimately wind up as clever as it wants to be, the ride is a lot of fun, and finding out what is possible in its world is part of the adventure.

The mystery and investigative elements are well presented, as are the explosions and the action elements. Washington is great as usual, and the supporting cast is quite strong as well, giving the abstract script elements a feeling of reality.

This film was one of many Denzel Washington and Tony Scott collaborations, with each of them being pretty solid. Scott was in a period of inventive directorial decisions when this film was made, however this movie is more restrained than say Domino. Check this movie out if you want an entertaining story, however for best enjoyment turn your brain off and watch the movie’s established rules as presented, instead of picking them apart.