Critics Say Mind-Swapping 'Self/less' Flatlines Early

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71fWtJXEI0Q

Positioned as a sci-fi exploration of morality but executed like a lengthy shoot 'em up actioner, "Self/less" - the movie about swapping consciousness from one body to another - is all brawn and no brain, critics say.

With a nearly 30 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes, many reviewers agree that "Self/less," starring Ryan Reynolds and Ben Kingsley, flatlines rather early during its 116-minute runtime. Co-starring Michelle Dockery, Matthew Goode and Victor Garber, "Self/less" hits theaters July 10.

For many critics, the film had a promising premise, but sacrificed quality and writing for mind-mush-like thrills and fights.

"'Self/less' is, by and large, shot like cheapo television. There's more panache in an episode of 'The Flash,' and a better spin on far out sci-fi concepts, too" - Jordan Hoffman, The Guardian

"The more the narrative straightens out into a series of shootouts, punch-outs and car chases, the more monotonous it becomes" - Scott Foundas, Variety.

"'Self/less' resembles nothing so much as a film that stopped trying, or at least a filmmaker, as the good will left over from the solid first half propels the film over the finish line, but only barely. Ultimately it becomes an exercise not in the bravery to actively try something new, but in the fear of accidentally doing so. For a film theoretically about the questioning of identity, Self/less never tries to be other than it is, embracing its faults rather than surmounting them" – Joshua Starnes, Comingsoon.net.

Director Tarsem Singh, of "The Cell" and "Mirror Mirror," whose visually stunning photography techniques were lacking in the drama was particularly disappointing for many critics.

"The narrative outline of 'Self/less' is a philosophical theme park, readymade for daring, complex filmmaking. And Singh and his writers never go on any of the rides. "Self/less" is one of those depressing affairs that gets less and less interesting as it progresses" –Brian, Tallerico, Roberebert.com.