IR Film Review: HYPNOTIC [Ketchup]
The context of "Hypnotic", the newest film from Robert Rodriguez, uses the aspect of perspective and perception as a progression tool of control. Using Ben Affleck as the lead brings the actor back to his roots. While many have spoke to "Inception" as a benchmark for this film, it actually leans more to "Paycheck", a film Affleck made in the early aughts with John Woo. Affleck was more approachable in smaller concept genre thrillers then (much like Keanu Reeves was in the decade before) before he started making much bigger scale movies. It is nice to see him return to that angle. While the story has its moments, "Hypnotic" despite some good acting (especially Alice Braga ), it comes off more as a B movie (which might be part of the point). That said, it is cool seeing Rodriguez make something more hard edged (but not too much). However, despite some flair and some truly 90s thriller throwback feels (casting Bill Fichtner as a supposed bad guy is a good move), the film wants to be cooler than it is. Like the remake of "Firestarter" in the past year, it is trying to be something it almost can't be. It is an exercise using Rodriguez's beloved Austin as a backdrop. He even uses his backyard near the Barn at Troublemaker Studios. This of course might just be a perspective of someone who has been there.
That said, the practical usage of the tactical perception is executed correctly but one can tell there was not a large amount of budget for VFX ultimately. Of course, this film seemingly was made more independently without a major studio or financer behind it. As a result, being released by a smaller operator like Ketchup Entertainment, makes it a film with very little fanfare coming out (which is too bad because it is a Robert Rodriguez film). And this is his first film post "Alita - Battle Angel" and after "Book Of Boba Fett". The gumshoe element of "Hypnotic" shows Rodriguez trying to play with form but it doesn't feel as full of depth as it could. "Sin City" was of course completely ahead of its time so it is hard to use the comparison. But it is a noir performance by Affleck, not unlike Bruce Willis would have done years ago in "Sin City". However it is a different time where expectations have changed. "Hynoptic" is fun at times, a cool little thriller, and a family affair (Racer Max, Robert's son helped produce it and his other son Rebel Max helped score it). In that way, it shows the continuing of the process without too much expectation attached. B-
By Tim Wassberg
