Writer: John Glenn (Screenplay) Evan Astrowsky (Story)
Starring: Paul Walker, Piper Perabo, Brooklynn Proulx, Bob Gunton, Lambert Wilson, Linda Cardellini, Tony Curran
Plot: A former criminal is drawn into a criminal endeavour and subsequently finds himself living an inexplicable new life working at a psychiatric facility.
There may be spoilers the rest of the review
Verdict: Interesting
Story: The Lazarus Project stars by introducing our protagonist Ben (Walker) with his daughter Katie. Ben is part of a normal family but fresh out of prison on parole. Along with his wife Lisa (Perabo) the family is looking to the future. When Ben brother Ricky who is also fresh out of prisoner comes to him with a job, Ben rejects the chance. Ben loses his job because of his criminal background he doesn’t want to disappoint his wife, who is about to start studying. Ben goes along with his brother’s plan but the plan goes horribly wrong and Ben ends up on death row.
After being executed Ben is found walking along a roadside by Father Ezra (Gunton) where he is on his way to be the new janitor. When Ben meets a mysterious man Avery (Wilson) who explains that he has been given another chance to make up for his mistake. While Ben tries to figure out what is going on he meets a variety of different characters that could help or hinder his situation as he searches for answers.
The Lazarus Project is a slow moving story that tries to keep you guessing and it does throw out a few twists and turns. The problem is that none of the attempted twists come off believable as well as being forced down our throats. It tries to keep the mystery around for the whole film and slowly tries to push your emotions by what happens or is told to Ben. It doesn’t end up getting messy like it could, but it moves very slowly and one pushes you in one direction. (6/10)
Actor Review
Paul Walker: Ben Garvey criminal trying to go on the straight road but after his chance if thrown away he turns back into crime leading to him to get caught and executed. That isn’t the end for Ben who finds himself in a small town working as a grounds keeper trying to figure out why he is there and how to get home. Paul gives a good performance and carries the film in the whole. (7/10)
Piper Perabo: Lisa Garvey wife of Ben who is looking to start a career that will help the family together, but after Ben is caught she continues her own life without him. Piper gives a good supporting performance but is not seen enough to make any impact. (6/10)
Bob Gunton: Father Ezra the leader of the institute who treats Ben like a lost son trying to help him in the right direction. Bob gives a good performance in the authority role. (6/10)
Support Cast: The supporting cast all help push us in the direction where we think we need to be going but in the end all come off very generic.
Director Review: John Glenn – John does a solid job directing but fails to push us the audience with anything that happens. (5/10)
Mystery: The Lazarus Project creates a good mystery leaving us to wonder what is going on but never ends up surprising us. (7/10)
Thriller: The Lazarus Project is a good thriller because we want to know what will happen or has happened to Ben. (8/10)
Settings: The Lazarus Project uses its limited settings to show how Ben is now trapped in a place he doesn’t understand. (7/10)
Suggestion: The Lazarus Project is one to be trying, it doesn’t push you as far as it should but is enjoyable for the mystery hungry fans like. (Try it)
Best Part of The Lazarus Project: Dog.
Worst Part of The Lazarus Project: Not enough hints of twists.
What Could Have Been Better? – More twists or at least hints of twists.
Believability: No (0/10)
Chances of Tears: No (0/10)
Chances of Sequel: No
Post Credits Scene: No
Similar Too: Shutter Island
Oscar Chances: No
Runtime: 1 Hour 40 Minutes
Tagline: Some realities have no escape
Overall: Poor Man’s Shutter Island
Rating